New owner of an M35 with yet another iPhone question

[chairmankaga]

So I picked up a 2007 M35 this week and am sort of beating it into shape. The original owner had installed an FM transmitter for his iPhone, which works OK I guess. Better than the one I used to have in my old WRX. It is capable of charging the phone, which is a real plus. The problem is the Lightning cord is badly shorted and needs to be replaced, and I'd prefer to use a USB cable with a flush-mounted hub somewhere in the center armrest stack anyway, then run the Lighting cord from the hub to the phone. I could do that pretty easily. Not really my question.

What I'd REALLY rather have instead of a janky FM transmitter is some sort of direct connection to the system. I understand this isn't possible unless you have satellite radio, which it would seem I don't. Radio and CD only. But I never use the CD player. Haven't in years. Do you guys think there's any way to just disconnect the CD player from the primary head unit and patch in a USA Spec adapter box or similar hardware, either Bluetooth or hardwired, via that harness?

I have bigger fish to fry at the moment (the car is in desperate need of a weekend of rubbing, polishing, and buffing, thanks to being parked under live oaks every day for several years) so this might be an ongoing research project. I haven't cracked that center console yet or even looked at schematics, and I apologize if this subject has been discussed before. All I could really find dealt specifically with using the satellite radio wiring harness as the entry for iPhone integration.

[chairmankaga]

And I still can't figure out which system I have! It has the Bose surround/center speaker and the Bose Autopilot software (no clue what this is, yet), but no rear DVD/entertainment system, satellite radio or seat-mounted tweeters. I need to do more research, clearly...

[Ilya]

You can have the PA15-NIS which doesn't require satellite radio (just a satellite CAPABLE radio). That'll give you a hard connection for the iPhone interface.

You have the car I had...8spkr Bose system, not the 14. The lowest base (non-Bose) I believe is 6. PA15-NIS (if your radio doesn't have the CAT button) should work fine.

[chairmankaga]

Cool. My wife had the US Spec hardware in her old Camry and it worked pretty well. I ended up fabricating an adapter cable that converted the old iPhone plug back to USB, then flush mounting the USB female end in the console, and having another iPhone lightning cable from there to the dash. Only way to dash-mount the phone for navigation, and those stock US Spec phone cable suck. Better to hide it and have an easily replaceable, $5 USB outlet take the abuse.

[Nicky Tru]

I have the M35 - 2007. If you have Satellite Radio in the car, which I think they all do then the radio itself will have a connection in back of it to plug in any kind of adapter or cable.
I ended up putting in a Kit - I think it's USA Spec or something like that and it charges my iPhone and let me play music through the car.
I also did the same thing in 2005 G35.
Hope this helps.

[airmanhoward]

USA Spec is the way to go. Well worth it and very easy to install.

[Sstupid]

Your CD player is your audio unit so you can't remove it. I used the Audiovox MediaBridge for this car. It works but is a little confusing to use. I can get pics of anything stereo related if you need it. I installed a stereo a couple of weeks ago.

[chairmankaga]

Well, I found an iSimple FM tuner tucked under the center console, but it had a broken iPhone lighting cable, which is why I suppose it was stashed away. I spliced in a ruined, old Monoprice lightning cable and it works OK now. I mean, as well as an FM transmitter will work. Which is crappy. At least it charges my phone. I still want a direct connection so I'll probably go with the USA Spec, since I've had their stuff before and thought it worked quite well, for what it is. Any photos would be appreciated though! The shop manuals are filled with every microscopic bit of info about this car except for diagrams, it seems.

[Ilya]

Well, I found an iSimple FM tuner tucked under the center console, but it had a broken iPhone lighting cable, which is why I suppose it was stashed away. I spliced in a ruined, old Monoprice lightning cable and it works OK now. I mean, as well as an FM transmitter will work. Which is crappy. At least it charges my phone. I still want a direct connection so I'll probably go with the USA Spec, since I've had their stuff before and thought it worked quite well, for what it is. Any photos would be appreciated though! The shop manuals are filled with every microscopic bit of info about this car except for diagrams, it seems.

Use the FAQ thread to find the Grom installation tutorial I wrote. Except, instead of installing a POS Grom, install a USA Spec.

[Sstupid]

All the wiring diagrams that you need are in the manual that is linked in the FAQ. If you need any help with schematic lookup or interpretation, just let me know. It sounds like you are just wanting to play music with your iPhone and have it charge, so you probably really happy with the Audiovix Mediabridge. It is plug and play. No splicing or anything. It takes about 15 minutes to install just because of the audio unit removal and install but it's a very easy installation. If someone already spliced in somewhere and there is an issue, I can help you there with the diagrams.

[chairmankaga]

So here's a question. Shopping for the USA Spec hardware and I see there are 10-pin and 20-pin interfaces. This one was even for a 2007 M35, like mine.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-SPEC-PA15-N ... Swi0RXybjy

Is the 20-pin the satellite radio equipped system?

[Sstupid]

It is pretty easy to pull the CD player "audio unit" out and look at the connector. I'm guessing you have the 20-pin, like I did, but I do have the SAT radio capability. Are you sure you don't? Do you have the little shark-fin on the roof of your car, right in front of the rear window, right in the middle of the roof, on the outside of the car?

[chairmankaga]

Nope, no satellite radio whatsoever.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5d5TM ... sp=sharing

<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5d5TM ... VE/preview" width="640" height="480"></iframe>

[Ilya]

Nope, no satellite radio whatsoever.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5d5TM ... sp=sharing

<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5d5TM ... VE/preview" width="640" height="480"></iframe>

You have the CAT button (under preset #3) like I did on my 07, so you should go for the PA15-NIS unit. I'm guessing you have the 8 speaker Bose system? If so, then you have the same setup I had and the PA15-NIS worked perfectly.

[chairmankaga]

That's what I thought, and I almost bought one on eBay, bu the seller said he had the same audio setup as my car and it was not compatible with his, which is why he was selling. It's 10 pin vs 20 pin, and it seems there was some variability between years and trims. I might just need to yank mine out this weekend and put actual eyes on it, before I spend money.

[L5211]

The M45 ($46,750) is identical to the M35 except it is powered by a 335-horespower V8 engine in place of the V6. The M45 Sport ($49,550) is a V8 version of the M35 Sport.

Three option packages are available on all models: The Journey Package ($2,750) includes a Bose two-channel premium audio system with eight speakers, climate-controlled front seats, HomeLink universal transceiver, advanced RearView monitor (a rear bumper camera), advanced front lighting with xenon HID headlamps and automatic leveling, front pre-crash seatbelts and compass. As some of this equipment is already included in the Sport model the package costs less for the Sport model ($1,700).

The Technology Package ($4,200) includes items in the Journey Package as well as a DVD navigation system with a larger eight-inch LCD screen, Intelligent Cruise Control, Bose Studio Surround, Lane Departure Warning, and XM or Sirius satellite radio.

The Premium Package ($10,500) includes the contents of the Journey and Technology packages plus a DVD-based Mobile Entertainment System, heated and power reclining rear seats, power rear sunshade and rear passenger HVAC and audio controls with lockout.

Stand-alone options include XM or Sirius satellite radio ($350); navigation system ($2,000); DVD entertainment system ($1,500); wood trim for Sport models ($600); 18-inch chrome wheels ($1,000); aerodynamic body kit ($1,390); rear deck spoiler ($280).

[L5211]

I know little about cars and less about car audio / video so forgive me if this isn't helpful, but my 06 M45 has a 30 pin to which I added a lightning connector cord wired directly to the RCA jacks in the back seat. I don't have the PA15 NIS thingy. The cord runs into the ashtray and under the console. Also, the DVD player in the console plays movies while car is moving.

In case it matters, here are my car specs
06 M45 Sport
Journey + Tech pkg +xm sirus radio (although not paying for service)

[chairmankaga]

The PA15-NIS module is not compatible with my car. Got one on eBay and the cable is all wrong. Too few pins, different shaped harness. I'm assuming this means I'm just stuck with the FM transmitter?

[Ilya]

The PA15-NIS module is not compatible with my car. Got one on eBay and the cable is all wrong. Too few pins, different shaped harness. I'm assuming this means I'm just stuck with the FM transmitter?

Or you need the PA15-INFI. Did you confirm that you absolutely do not have XM radio right now by hitting the Radio button 3 times, etc.? If you don't go into XM mode and it doesn't play the preview channel, then yes, you might be SOL.

[chairmankaga]

Positively no satellite radio whatsoever.
According to Crutchfield's service advisors, I have the rare car that is totally incompatible with any known interface device. The only solution is to replace the entire system with one from a higher spec car. But my car, the navigation system with the 8-speaker non-satellite radio head unit was a rare combination, and the only option is the FM transmitter.
I probably should have chatted with them before I ordered the USA Spec hardware.
So one USA Spec PA15-NIS for sale!

[Ilya]

If you don't even have the CAT button on your stereo (something I believe I told you to look for) or an XM mode (without an actual tuner) then yeah, of course, no USA Spec. device will work for you.

[chairmankaga]

I do have the CAT button. My system looks EXACTLY like yours. But that only shows categories for radio stations.

However I did find out the USA Spec hardware was supposed to come with both 10-pin and 20-pin cable sets. Mine only came with the 10, and they don't sell the 20-pin set separately. So I guess I need to try and find someone who didn't need the 20-pin set with their install.

[milto0n]

I installed my USA Spec like 2 weeks ago off ebay for $100. I was wondering why it came with two cables. Upload a picture of the one yours came with it might be different than the one I have leftover in my garage.

[Ilya]

I do have the CAT button. My system looks EXACTLY like yours. But that only shows categories for radio stations.

However I did find out the USA Spec hardware was supposed to come with both 10-pin and 20-pin cable sets. Mine only came with the 10, and they don't sell the 20-pin set separately. So I guess I need to try and find someone who didn't need the 20-pin set with their install.

That's ridiculous. Where did you buy it from? I'd return it ASAP.

[chairmankaga]

I installed my USA Spec like 2 weeks ago off ebay for $100. I was wondering why it came with two cables. Upload a picture of the one yours came with it might be different than the one I have leftover in my garage.

The one I need is more rectangular, I believe with 20 pins. The cable it came with is more square, with 10 pins. This -

[milto0n]

^Looks the one I have in my garage unfortunately. Might have to bite the bullet and buy a brand new one. I looked on ebay and it doesn't list anymore for $100.

[Ilya]

I installed my USA Spec like 2 weeks ago off ebay for $100. I was wondering why it came with two cables. Upload a picture of the one yours came with it might be different than the one I have leftover in my garage.

The one I need is more rectangular, I believe with 20 pins. The cable it came with is more square, with 10 pins. This -

Seems you've removed the image? Can you rehost it so it may server the users who find this thread?

[chairmankaga]

Weird.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5d5T ... VZ6Rk5pMW8

So on a whim, after talking with Crutchfield again (seriously, the best customer service in the world), I called the USA Spec North American customer support line, and contrary to what their email support said, lo & behold they DO sell individual cable sets for $28 each + shipping.

So I'll give is a couple of weeks to see if anyone has a spare set, otherwise I'll just order them.

[Ilya]

I don't think you'll find one cheaper than that anyway...I'd just go with that cable.

[jt@justdrift]

Hi,

I just picked up an 06 M35 with the Bose 8 ch. system, no XM, CAT button on the face of the radio below the #3 preset, and that sharkfin atenna looking thing on the roof. I bought a grom audio since it said it was supposed to be compatible with my car with that CAT print on the radio. Upon installing the unit, The cable charges my iphone, but the music does not play, and even If I keep pushing the mode or source buttons, it does not pull up on the screen.

Is the grom just not compatible with my car?

Thanks in advance!

JT