AUX input for an MP3 player...access speakers directly?

[radlinsky]

Hi,

I have an 05' corolla and I want to play music from my MP3 player. Its got a 6-cd changer (no, 6 cds doesn't hold enough music for me :p) but no tape deck player (so I can't get a MP3 player-to-tape deck thingy.) Unless someone knows of a really high quality FM transmitter, I would like to try and access the car's speaker system directly and install an AUX-input jack (without busting my radio/cd player.) Has anyone done anything like this or is this possible? I am not a mechanic, and I don't know a lot about cars.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

p.s. - I seached the forums for this and couldn't find anything on it, maybe I just overlooked a post.. if so, sorry..

[Boba_dude]

You can get a Kenwood stereo with front AUX for as low as $100. Thats what I did =)

Let me know, and I will PM you where I got it
It came with a Dash kit and harness as well

[bennor]

The best route to go is to replace the OEM radio with one that has an AUX input. However this can get expensive and you need to get a dash kit in addition to the radio.

There are several options for adding an AUX input to the stock OEM radio. I too have an 05 with a six disk changer. I use a Macally FM transmitter to run the audio from a Garmin GPS unit through the radio/speakers. Its a cheap, quick and easy, way to go, however the sound quality isn't that great. Others have had really bad luck with FM transmitters and don't recommend them. There are dedicated aux adapters that plugs into the CD Changer port on the back of the stock Corolla radio (including the six disk version). It is possible (if one has small hands) to attached these adapters without removing the radio. You can just barely reach the CD Changer port on the back side of the radio by going through the Glove box. Drop the glove box as if you were going to change the cabin air filter and there is just enough space to reach up behind the radio if you have small hands.

Here are some links to various places that have these AUX adapters.
Crutchfield - iPod/MP3 Car Adapters:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-YLRaYQY...ers.html?tp=15

PIE Toy 03 Aux:
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/pietoy03aux.html

USA Spec has one for the iPod, they used to have one with RCA connectors but it doesn't appear that they sell those anymore.
http://usaspec.com/product.php?ProductID=17

[radlinsky]

@Boba_dude: I think I'll try your idea if bennor's doesn't work. I have space to maybe stick in an additional stereo if I remove my never-used cd-holder compartment.

@bennor: I really like the sound of that idea! I have regular sized hands, but my little cousin might be able to do it for me :p

Thanks for the ideas! I hope I can get this to work!

[Jomama46]

The other ideas are better in some ways than this but here is my 2 ¢. I use a Belkin transmitter and I used to think they were substandard, then I read a review on Amazon by an RF engineer who said that for the best performance you need a better antenna. Get a 6 foot or so stereo cord that goes into the mp3 player and the Belkin, throw the Belkin in the back seat and see what happens. So I did and was amazed at the increased reception. I also tried hanging the belkin from the mirror but the back seat works better.

[ETAV8R]

Has anyone successfully used the PIE aux input with the 6 cd changer HU in a 2007 Corolla? Also are there any links for HU removal? The corolla looks like it takes far more effort than my old Scion. Thanks.

[bennor]

Here's one link that has detailed pictures of removing the radio on 9th Gen Corollas.
http://www.net4free.org/Other/nshahzad/stereo.html

Some reviews of the PIE aux input.
http://www.amazon.com/TOY03-AUX-PIE-...owViewpoints=1

Edit to Add: You may not have to remove the HU to install the PIE aux adapter. On my 05 Corolla there is just enough space to reach a hand up and behind the stock radio to access the CD Changer port on the back of the radio if one goes through the glove box. If you drop the glove box as if your going to replace the cabin air filter you should be able to gain access to the back side of the stock radio where the CD Changer port is located.

[potluiri040]

How does the FM transmiter for IPOD wokrs.... i am planning to install one as i cant burn Cd's every time

[bennor]

An FM transmitter is a hit or miss device. Many people don't like them and I'm sure will be along to explain why. Some have trouble finding a free FM band where the transmitter will work in cities like NYC or LA. And the sound quality of the source audio can take a serious hit when it comes out of the radio speakers.

I found that an FM transmitter works just fine in my 05 Corolla. I use a Macally FM transmitter in conjunction with a Garmin GPS (which has an MP3 player) and it work just fine for the most part (audio quality is a little degraded but acceptable to listen to) in sending the turn by turn GPS audio, and MP3 audio through the stock OEM radio/CD player.