Sat Nav & Autochanger Compatability

[kebrina]

Right, I've got a 52 plate Galaxy Ghia, with the CD Rom thingy in the centre dash for the sat nav. There's a dvd changer in the boot, which plays to the DVD screens, and sends sounds to the headphones sockets - but nowhere else. I've found an online manual for the changer, can anyone find one for the factory fitted sat nav system? Failing that does anyone know if this has just been wired up wrong, or if there is a serious incompatibility issue? Surely I can get music CDs in the autochanger to play through the stereo??? (Even though I think using the remote control whilst driving must be a bad idea). Crikey, I had assumed the CD in the dash was for proper CDs but it only wants a Ford CD Rom. I'll never use the Sat Nav, so is it an option to totally remove the panel and fit something with a proper CD in it? Sorry for all the questions but I want CDs on, and I can't make the damned thing work!

 

x

[Mirez]

Right, I've got a 52 plate Galaxy Ghia, with the CD Rom thingy in the centre dash for the sat nav. There's a dvd changer in the boot, which plays to the DVD screens, and sends sounds to the headphones sockets - but nowhere else. I've found an online manual for the changer, can anyone find one for the factory fitted sat nav system? Failing that does anyone know if this has just been wired up wrong, or if there is a serious incompatibility issue? Surely I can get music CDs in the autochanger to play through the stereo??? (Even though I think using the remote control whilst driving must be a bad idea). Crikey, I had assumed the CD in the dash was for proper CDs but it only wants a Ford CD Rom. I'll never use the Sat Nav, so is it an option to totally remove the panel and fit something with a proper CD in it? Sorry for all the questions but I want CDs on, and I can't make the damned thing work!

 

x

 

I'm confused... you can't have a dvd changer surely just a player? If thats the case then its wired correctly and sounds like someones changed the factory vhs player for a dvd player - the ford multimedia unit it independant of the audio unit and the sound is only put out to the headphone sockets.

 

The unit in the dash should play conventional cd's though just fine though.

[kebrina]

 

I'm confused... you can't have a dvd changer surely just a player? If thats the case then its wired correctly and sounds like someones changed the factory vhs player for a dvd player - the ford multimedia unit it independant of the audio unit and the sound is only put out to the headphone sockets.

 

The unit in the dash should play conventional cd's though just fine though.

 

Really? I can't get it play CDs it just keeps saying it's incompatible. The Panasonic 8 DVD changed in the boot plays ANYTHING CDs MP3s, DVDs the works, but only to the built in DVD players in the back of the front seats. Surely it can play to the stereo/speakers?

Edited February 7, 2010 by kebrina

[Mirez]

Really? I can't get it play CDs it just keeps saying it's incompatible. The Panasonic 8 DVD changed in the boot plays ANYTHING CDs MP3s, DVDs the works, but only to the built in DVD players in the back of the front seats. Surely it can play to the stereo/speakers?

 

Nope, not if its connected to the ford media unit as there is no link between then - you can get adaptors however so you could do it quite easily. Sounds like you have the nav unit in nav mode which is why its saying incompatible - you need to change the source to CD firsr else it will try and read it as a nav disk

[kebrina]

Really? I can't get it play CDs it just keeps saying it's incompatible. The Panasonic 8 DVD changed in the boot plays ANYTHING CDs MP3s, DVDs the works, but only to the built in DVD players in the back of the front seats. Surely it can play to the stereo/speakers?

 

Nope, not if its connected to the ford media unit as there is no link between then - you can get adaptors however so you could do it quite easily. Sounds like you have the nav unit in nav mode which is why its saying incompatible - you need to change the source to CD firsr else it will try and read it as a nav disk

 

It won't let me select CD in the source screen, it's there, but greyed out.

[Mirez]

Ebay link

 

Thats the audio adaptor you need, plus a standard phono cable to go with it. I have the more expensive adaptor that puts video into the nav unit as well so you have 3 screens and the audio - they are circa

Edited February 7, 2010 by Mirez

[Mirez]

Take the nav disk out, pick radio, put the audio cd in and then pick CD - should work. I have the manual somewhere, I'll see if I can find it for you.

[kebrina]

Take the nav disk out, pick radio, put the audio cd in and then pick CD - should work. I have the manual somewhere, I'll see if I can find it for you.

 

Going out to try that now, even though I'm in my jammies. Whatever will the neighbours say...

[Mirez]

Attached is the quick guide, I can't upload the ford guide as its too large for the system but the VW one is here and is identical

 

http://vwnavi.com/files/NaviManual/Volkswagen_MFD1.pdf

colour_sat_nav_user_guide.pdf

[kebrina]

Right, I've tried the CD thingy you said, it still insists the CD is not compatible and instructs to to insert one for the Ford Radio Navigation MFD. Whatever that means. Thanks for all the other stuff though, will try reading it all through later. mwah x

[Mirez]

Right, I've tried the CD thingy you said, it still insists the CD is not compatible and instructs to to insert one for the Ford Radio Navigation MFD. Whatever that means. Thanks for all the other stuff though, will try reading it all through later. mwah x

 

You are using proper retail music CD's are not PC burned CD-R's right?

[kebrina]

Deffo, unless it's got a problem with Elvis & Michael Jackson (closest to hand)...

[Gadgetoid]

The slot in the sat nav unit is for map CD-ROM's only. It will not play any kind of CD, DVD, manufactured or burned

 

Do you have a DVD player in the console between the front seats where the headphone sockets are? If not then you Gal came equipped with the VHS system and somebody removed the video unit from the boot and switched for the disc autochanger you have now.

[kebrina]

The slot in the sat nav unit is for map CD-ROM's only. It will not play any kind of CD, DVD, manufactured or burned

 

Do you have a DVD player in the console between the front seats where the headphone sockets are? If not then you Gal came equipped with the VHS system and somebody removed the video unit from the boot and switched for the disc autochanger you have now.

 

There's no DVD player there, just controls for the screens and volume, with four headphone sockets. The 8 DVD changer is in the side flappy thing in what one might call the boot. Are you saying it should have a VIDEO player? Does anyone even make vids anymore?

[Mirez]

Gadgetoid are you saying yours won't play either? If so then this may be a revision issue between the A, B & G units and or with the TMC controller as I've just been out and mine merrily played a regular CD - For reference I have a late G unit with the TMC controller.

 

kebrina, you should indeed have a VHS player in there. The ford DVD option was only available from August 2002 and IIRC was a

[Gadgetoid]

I have several MFD's: Versions A and C are retrofits and neither plays an audio CD. I also have one factory fit (communicating with a full FIS display between rev counter and odometer) which I have never taken out, which I have always assumed was a G revision ( in a 2004 car) which also will not accept audio CD's.

 

I suppose it could be the TMC unit which helps - I have never bothered with fitting that as I was told the traffic information it provides was of questionable accuracy. Although I struggle to understand why an external box should enable internal CD playback. It's more likely its the 'LATE' G that is the key - nobody else I have chatted with has an MFD1 that plays audio CD's.

 

I have retrofitted the more expensive adapter you quoted from Ebay, so there is 3rd screen DVD play on the MFD screen - although it IS distracting when driving, so usually I use it for audio throughput only.

 

Of course the MFD units need a VW rather than a Ford (Visteon) CD autochanger in the rear boot pocket. I assume there is no confusion about that as a separate issue. Although that is where kebrina's VHS player lived before someone swapped it out for a DVD autochanger ( ie his Galaxy has never had an audio CD changer for the head unit)

[kebrina]

I have several MFD's: Versions A and C are retrofits and neither plays an audio CD. I also have one factory fit (communicating with a full FIS display between rev counter and odometer) which I have never taken out, which I have always assumed was a G revision ( in a 2004 car) which also will not accept audio CD's.

 

I suppose it could be the TMC unit which helps - I have never bothered with fitting that as I was told the traffic information it provides was of questionable accuracy. Although I struggle to understand why an external box should enable internal CD playback. It's more likely its the 'LATE' G that is the key - nobody else I have chatted with has an MFD1 that plays audio CD's.

 

I have retrofitted the more expensive adapter you quoted from Ebay, so there is 3rd screen DVD play on the MFD screen - although it IS distracting when driving, so usually I use it for audio throughput only.

 

Of course the MFD units need a VW rather than a Ford (Visteon) CD autochanger in the rear boot pocket. I assume there is no confusion about that as a separate issue. Although that is where kebrina's VHS player lived before someone swapped it out for a DVD autochanger ( ie his Galaxy has never had an audio CD changer for the head unit)

 

Ahem, less of the his, I am a her. I've just had my dad take the car to bits to have a good look at what's going on. (He's an auto electrician, so has a vague idea...) The front head unit is not connected in any shape or form to the CD changer, so I'm going to buy that cable you suggested and hope it fits. All I want is CD and DVD sound to go through the speakers - so I can either play a CD or have the DVD sound for everyone to hear. (I'm not happy with my two year old playing with potentially strangling headphones.) Will that do the job? My dad says it will need an adaptor of some sort, but doesn't know what it would be called, to go from the autochanger to the head unit. At present I can get the changer to play music and film, but only to the screens and headphones in the back.

 

Any further advice or info gratefully received. Not sure what the adaptor parts look like, so I hope they are cheap!!!

[kebrina]

Ebay link

 

Thats the audio adaptor you need, plus a standard phono cable to go with it. I have the more expensive adaptor that puts video into the nav unit as well so you have 3 screens and the audio - they are circa

[Mirez]

Sorry I seem to have missed a number of posts here. Gadgetoid next time I take the setup apart I'll get the build date for you, I can't imagine the TMC box has any influence over playback either however I was under the impression the G units need one to communicate with the FIS display. Mine came with the box hence its fitted but I would say the TMC data isn't super great, its exactly the same as my TomTom tmc traffic so its semi-usefull.

 

Kebrina, the cable you want is an audio extension phono cable. It is male to male, 2 head and you'll probably need a 5m version.

 

To sum up, if you look at the ebay photo of the adaptor:

 

http://i9.ebayimg.com/05/i/001/2e/59/121b_12.JPG

 

The black 90degree connector (far left) plugs into the back of the nav unit, the black and red sockets are the female heads where you'll plug in the male end of the extension cable.

 

5m Phono Cable

 

Thats the 5m Male to Male connector (you can get cheaper ones but thats a better quality one and cars can produce some weird noises on audio equipment if its not screened). You'll connect one end at the adaptor and the other end into the back of your DVD player. You may need to get a couple of these as well if your DVD player only has one set of phono outputs and you want to keep the option of using headphones.

[kebrina]

Sorry I seem to have missed a number of posts here. Gadgetoid next time I take the setup apart I'll get the build date for you, I can't imagine the TMC box has any influence over playback either however I was under the impression the G units need one to communicate with the FIS display. Mine came with the box hence its fitted but I would say the TMC data isn't super great, its exactly the same as my TomTom tmc traffic so its semi-usefull.

 

Kebrina, the cable you want is an audio extension phono cable. It is male to male, 2 head and you'll probably need a 5m version.

 

To sum up, if you look at the ebay photo of the adaptor:

 

http://i9.ebayimg.com/05/i/001/2e/59/121b_12.JPG

 

The black 90degree connector (far left) plugs into the back of the nav unit, the black and red sockets are the female heads where you'll plug in the male end of the extension cable.

 

5m Phono Cable

 

Thats the 5m Male to Male connector (you can get cheaper ones but thats a better quality one and cars can produce some weird noises on audio equipment if its not screened). You'll connect one end at the adaptor and the other end into the back of your DVD player. You may need to get a couple of these as well if your DVD player only has one set of phono outputs and you want to keep the option of using headphones.

 

Big Fat MWAH on it's way to you. MWAH xxxxx

[kebrina]

Right - update. My dad says there is a 'spare' din lead coming out of the changer that is not connected to anything, yet it still plays sound and vision to the DVD screens and headphone sockets. Will connecting this din lead to the head unit make it fully functional? If so, where can I get a converter from one size din lead to another? The head unit is a ten pin thingy whilst the 'spare' plug is different. Not checked it myself yet, but will update with pin count later.

[kebrina]

will update with pin count later.

 

Updated pin count. The male din coming off the dvd is 8 pin, whilst the female socket on the nav unit is 10 pin. Any ideas?

[Mirez]

Unlikely, there was never a dvd changer option fitted to either the visteon multimedia system or the blaupunkt navigation unit. Whatever make the changer is its highly unlikely to be compatible with the navs din connector.