XM Radio Input on Factory Headunit?

[ssjones]

Folks:I installed my XM SkiFi2 in my new sedan and am using the built-in FM modulator. This week, on my first trip I experienced a lot of static in rural PA that never happened with my old Accord on the same route.

I changed FM stations a under of times, using the upper 107.X's and 88.X's with the same result. My XM unit always showed full signal bars on the display. Today, coming back thru New Jersey I also experienced the static. I called MyRadioStore where I purchased my unit and asked about an AUX cable but there is none for the Nissan. Yesterday I called again and asked about the Delphi FM modulator but the sales guy said that was typically for high density urban areas with crowded FM dials. He didn't think it would help in any way with the static issue.I've used this SkiFI2 unit for over 200,000 miles in my old Honda and only had very occasional issues with static (always going thru Syracuse NY). This is kind of frustrating as obviously I spend a lot of time in the car and my XM is on for every mile.

The headunit on the Nissan does have a jack for an I-pod or the like. Has anyone tried plugging a satellite radio in that spot?

I'd appreciate any thoughts or experiences.

[B Rock]

I'm eagerly waiting on responses. My head unit has a AUX input in the front but I am hoping there's one in the back of the H/U. I have a Sirius Starmate, which I hard-wired into my old car, and would love to do the same here.

Does yours not have the AUX jack in the front?

[ssjones]

I put a similar post on the XM411.com forum and someone confirmed I can connect via a small jack to the front of the Nissan headunit. I hate cords hanging everywhere, but that might be my only choice. Locally, I don't get much static, but will keep the cord handy for those longs trips I take weekly.Unfortunately, no one seems to make an AUX cable to fit newer Nissans. PIE's site only lists the Quest. I don't believe Nissan sold many Quests so it must just be luck an existing unit fits. Currently, I have installed some 4 ohm speakers instead of the 2 ohm as from the factory. I have new ones (Infinity, 2 ohm) on order. I'm hoping maybe those speakers are causing some interference, but that's probably a long shot.

[SHIFT_COUPE]

I believe all you need to do here is find the compatible jack with your XM unit. Run it on AUX and your good to go.

[ssjones]

Picked up a 1.8m male/male jack this evening at Best Buy ($4). Works like a charm, no static and the sound is richer. Now, wonder if I can dismantle that jack from the back, and run the cable through the cubby with the other XM cables and back into the radio? Might take a stab at that this weekend. Has anyone pulled the shift knob? With that knob removed, getting the cubby out would be a cinch. With it in place, you have to be real careful with the shifter plate as not to scratch it.

I believe all you need to do here is find the compatible jack with your XM unit. Run it on AUX and your good to go.

[B Rock]

How did you get your antenna cable run into the cubby hole cleanly? Did you drill a hole in the back of it and run it that way?

[ssjones]

Yep.Pull the shifter plate up and c*** it to the side. The cubby just pulls out, no screws to remove. I drilled a hole in the top. You have to be careful not to scratch the top of the shifter plate with the bottom of the cubby. I put a towel over the plate but it sure would be a snap if that shift knob would come off. When I get some time, I'll look through those FSM documents on this site and see if it describes how to pop off that knob. I'm curious as to what access the stock headunit gives. I'd love to route my aux cable the same way and eliminate a dangling cable.

[B Rock]

Thanks for the tip, I never knew that cubby comes out.

I'm curious as to what access the stock headunit gives. I'd love to route my aux cable the same way and eliminate a dangling cable.

I would too - nothing I hate more than a messy set-up.

[nascar9900]

Did you ever find a way to reroute the Aux Cable connection?

[ssjones]

No yet, my broken foot is keeping me from completing garage projects. I did put that question on another thread where someone had the dash out. I'm hoping the AUX-IN spot on the head unit might unscrew from the back. I'm off for a few days and might tackle it tomorrow.

Any free time I've had to work on the car was spent installing/removing/installing my new speakers...the door panels have now been off three times! (but I am done now)

[Lanthom]

I've got the exact same issue on my Versa. I tried to run the cable behind the dash and out right at the aux port but it seemed to put alot of stress on that point and destroyed the cable itself. I've been trying to find a 3.5mm flat aux cable with a 90 degree connector but to no avail. Any other option for installing this into the aux while having a clean install would be wonderful!

[nascar9900]

You can buy a 90 degree adaptor plug from Radio Shack. It plugs into the Aux jack and turns 90 degrees. You then plug a standard, straight cable into the adaptor. I learned this about a year ago when I couldn't find a cable with the 90 connector built-in.