Although not yet specifically listed as FEH compatible, the PIE FRDW/PC-POD allows direct control of an iPod with the radio buttons on an Escape Hybrid with 6-disc underseat changer and CD GPS. It also powers and charges the iPod. The downside is that the underseat changer is disconnected. The GPS continues to function.

Installation is simple-- unplug the cable at the CD changer, connect the PIE converter. (PIE says to disconnect the power to the radio first to allow for initialization.)

The converter has a $169 list price but is available for $109 plus shipping from Car Stereo Expo.

Various buttons on the radio control various functions on the iPod. The radio displays bank and track numbers but not song, artist or album names. Fidelity is excellent.

The PIE manual says "the FRDW/PC-POD is compatable with any 1995-2005 Ford/Lincoln/Mercury radio that has CD changer capabilities and is equipped with the 12-pin Ford CD changer data cable. Not compatible if CD changer is present." Meaning, you have to disconnect the changer. Since all my music is on my iPod, that wasn't a concern for me.

Car Stereo Expo: http://store.yahoo.com/csexpo/frpiefoipin3.htm

P.I.E.: http://www.pie.net/applepie.cfm

 

Obviously, you have been following this better than I have. Do you know whether systems in other vehicles can display track name and other details? It would be not so much fun for me to have to try to remember what number and on what library my song is. Perhaps if I wait 6 months they will make that info available on my car for the $120 they are charging for it now?

Thanks for your hard work!

Mike

 

Mike,

The head unit would have to support the functionality to make it possible for track names to display. IF Ford had put CD-TEXT support in the CD player and supported it in the head unit then it'd theoretically be possible to display the info on the screen.

Since they didn't, we can't. A non-trivial limitation for what is supposed to be a Audiophile sound system...

 

The NAV headunit does support multifunction display/control of other devices, but through the CAN bus. I have some info that Visteon is working on a fully functional iPod interface, not sure where they are at in the proccess, so no idea of release dates etc.

 

Strictly speaking it's called the "Audio Control Protocol" which is not exactly CAN. There is a box that sits on both the CAN and the ACP that passes the messages from CAN to the headunit for energy flow, MPG and the like.

 

Stevewa,

Do you know what module does the CAN to ACP conversion? This could help fill some gaps in the info I have. The ACP-A and ACP-B lines are on the 12 pin CDDJ jack. Since I don't have the CAN messages I'm using a NOVI box to intercept some and attempting to decode them.

 

I will look it up when I get home.

 

UPDATE: I just looked at the wiring diagrams, the ACP module is indeed on the same cable as the CD changer.

The cleverly named "ACP module" appears to do the conversion.

"The navigation system also displays separate user selected screens for high voltage power flow and fuel economy. The data is supplied from the controller area network (CAN) and then translated from CAN messages into audio control protocol (ACP) messages by the ACP module. These ACP messages are used by the audio unit to calculate the high voltage power flow and fuel economy screens."

The module in question is hidden behind the glove box, it appears on the RH side. Two screws and two connectors (presumably one CAN and one ACP).

To tie this in with the other conversation, I'm guessing like most bus architectures, ACP assigns an address to each device on the bus...and perhaps the ipod2car adapter is hogging the ACP module's address? Either that or the ACP module and the CD changer cable come in on the same connector on the back of the head unit, and by disconnecting that, the installer effectively disconnected the ACP module. Since the new "Apple PIE" adapter plugs in at the changer end this should not be an issue... (famous last words).