I am trying to find a PIE Interface for my 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid with the 6 CD Changer under the passenger seat. The changer is labeled:

"p/n 5M6T18C830AA which is a label over 3F1T-18C830-AB Assembly p/n 5M6T18C849AD made by Clarion Corp. Date 0604 Software version 1.07"

The twelve pin cable (2 pins not used) runs through the center console to a Visteon Audiophile Navigation System.

I have hopes of disconnecting the CD Changer and connecting my IPod by either docking, firewire, or USB. I am now using FM and it is highly unsatisfactory. It would be nice to be able to display and control via the Audiophile unit.

Can anyone help?

Mike

Today I heard back from PIE.Net:

"The X3 system will work on this application. The parts you will need
are: X3(brain module) and X3-FRDW (vehicle specific harness). The X3 systeminterrupts the audio from the CD changer allowing input from three differentRCA audio sources. The unit comes with a wired source selector (3 footcable) to toggle between the CD changer and the three auxiliary inputs.Part# X3-EXT/15 is available for applications where additional sourceselector cable length is required. Please note that the X3 systems onlyinterrupts the CD change audio lines, the CD changer is not paused."

This sounded like a somewhat good solution to playing my IPod through my Visteon Audiophile/Nav System. So I went to the LogJam.Com site to price the parts:

http://www.logjamelectronics.com/piex3auxconv.html

They said:

"The PIE X-3 Auxiliary Input Converter system allows the user to add up to three auxiliary input sources and have them connected directly between the CD changer and most factory audio systems. Now you can connect your MP3 portable player, an XM radio, and an iPod, or any combination of three separate audio sources, all at the same time AND still use your OEM or aftermarket CD Changer! Now you can have it all with the PIE X-3 system. The X-3 system interrupts the audio of the CD changer, switching between the three user-selectable RCA level auxiliary audio sources, and defaults back to the CD changer if desired.

The X-3 system consists of two parts, the Selector Brain Module or X-3, and the vehicle-specific T-harness, each ordered separately.

***IMPORTANT: Must have a functioning factory CD changer or an after-market CD Changer, and the CD changer will need to be running with a CD playing in order for the X-3 system to work."

"The X-3 includes a selector brain module and wired remote selector display. The X-3 module has 3 pairs of RCA inputs for connecting three separate audio sources. A wired remote selector display can be hand-held or mounted anywhere convenient in the passenger compartment. The remote display has a single push-button switch that toggles between each of the 3 inputs and the CD changer and supplies a visual prompt (AUX 1, AUX 2, AUX 3, CD) of the selected source. A 15ft extension cable, the X3-EXT/15, is available if extra cable length is needed to mount the X3 Source Indicator in your passenger compartment.

P.I.E. X-3 Multi-Source Auxiliary Input Converter
X3padRetail Price: $69.95padLOGJAM Price: $59.95

The vehicle-specific T-harness connects the X-3 system into the vehicles audio system. T-harnesses are available for Ford, GM and Chrysler vehicles, with harness compatible with import vehicles to be available soon.

P.I.E. X3-FRDW X3 T-Harness for Ford Vehicles
The X3-FRDW T-harness connects the X-3 brain module to Ford vehicle's audio systems. Vehicle must have a 12-pin data cable at factory CD changer location.

***NOTE: NOT compatible with 2003 models equipped with the 6-Disc in-dash headunit or factory navigation system.

[WHOOPS !]

"Fits the following Vehicles:

* Ford 2003 Crown Victoria (pre-wired)
* 1997-2003 Escort (pre-wired)

P.I.E. X3-FRDW X3 T-Harness for Ford Vehicles
X3FRDWpadRetail Price: $39.95padLOGJAM Price: $29.95"

I replied to PIE (in part):

Just few questions before I purchase and post this solution for our members.

I viewed what LogJam.Com had to sell with your suggestions and they state the following on the harness:

"P.I.E. X3-FRDW X3 T-Harness for Ford Vehicles

The X3-FRDW T-harness connects the X-3 brain module to Ford vehicle's audio systems. Vehicle must have a 12-pin data cable at factory CD changer location.

NOTE: NOT compatible with 2003 models equipped with the 6-Disc in-dash headunit or factory navigation system."

The Ford Escape Hybrid has a Visteon factory-installed Navigation System so I am concerned this may not work.

The 40G IPod really has only three ways to connect:
Firewire, USB 2.0, and the Apple Docking solution. What cables are required to connect to the RCA connection on the harness?

I understand that a CD must be playing in order for this to work. What happens when the CD reaches the end of its run?

Is the RCA connection powered so as to keep charging the IPod or must the IPod be tethered through a different connection to charge?

Finally, this solution seems to be very limited. I wonder if you foresee a solution near in the future whereas an IPod can be connected directly to the Visteon Audiophile and by the use of radio buttons information on the IPod be accessed? I know that XM and Sirus are selling modules for the Visteon to expand useage now.

I appreciate all your help. Thank You.

Mike

I will post what I find out. I love to joust with windmills.

Hi Sdctcher,

Just wanted to let you know (since no one else has replied) that others (speaking for myself anyway) are interested in this topic.

So if you should find more info on getting your iPod (or other MP3 device) integrated into your sound system please continue to share.

It would be really cool if the head unit displayed MP3 ID tag info but that's probably too much to hope for.

Radio
 

Most major markets have a Radio Repair Station that the dealerships use for entertainment systems upgrades and repairs. Ask your Service Manager for the phone number/address for the facility they use and call/go see them.
They will have been down most roads already and can tell you what is possible and what is not. They may have adaptors, wiring harnesses, etc. to permit incorporating things into your system.

Did it work?
 

I also have a FEH with the Nav system and need to do the same thing. I had a P.I.E. unit installed in my Honda Civic Hybrid that I traded to get the FEH. I did not remove the unit because it only worked with Honda head units. What I was wondering is if you got the P.I.E. X-3 installed and how is it working if you did. I'm going nuts without my MP3 player and don't want to get out the original CDs out just to play them in my FEH.

Thanks, :)

Mike

I have not purchased the solution from PIE.Net because I am not sure it will be that much better than using my IPod with an FM modulator like PodFreq. I have spoken with others who have and love it. The cost is not too bad and can be self-installed and can handle MP3s and other devices.

Here is the PIE.Net reply to my email:

"Using our part #s X3, X3-FRDW and 3.5/RCA-6MM, you will be able to play your iPOD through your audio system when the radio is in CD-Changer mode. You will use the headset jack from the iPOD for audio output."

One drawback is that a CD (of some kind) must be spinning in the CD Changer while using this.

I would encourage you to email PIE yourself. They were pretty good about replying to me.

Hope this helps.

Mike

FM Transmitter experience
 

While I don't have an Ipod, I do have a RIO Karma that I am currently using with an FM transmitter. Here are the drawbacks as i see them:
1. Snap, Crackle, and Pop. Depending on your FM transmitter, the number of available stations you have available to you (some only have 4 freq choices, some 8) may prevent you from finding a nice clean and clear frequency to broadcast on.

2. Constantly searching for a good station. This isn't so much a problem day to day, because you find one that works for your area and stick with it. However, road trips it can be a real hassle, especially in Metro Areas. The DC/PHilly/NYC/Boston corridor is awful, unless you have a large number of frequencies to choose from. I seem to always be fighting NPR or country stations.

They do have the advantage of being transportable to any car, and you don't have to crack open the dash and try to mount something permanently.

Just an FYI for those considering the FM tranmitter route. I've heard that modulators that actually plug into the antenna cable between the real antenna and the radio do a much better job of overcoming these problems. However, that's more of a permanent install.


cheers,
-garth.

Sounds like we're all still waiting for the first person to try this out. I'm still using my iTrip and it's merely adequate. An integrated solution would be ideal but I doubt we'll see that as an add-on, maybe if later models have the feature we'll be able to shell out the big bucks and buy a new head unit.

I got the pin-out information from the Ford manuals and I'm gonna check it with the information that P.I.E. has to make sure that its a match. If all goes well I will be ordering a P.I.E. X-3 and will let you know how it does.

Mike

I faxed the pin-out information to P.I.E. and was told that it matches their Ford cable for the X-3, so I'm ordering it today!