I haven't been super thrilled with PodCar. I find myself using the built in music app for my songs. The artwork is large and you can flip through the music pretty easily.

 

Agree... almost never use Podcar anymore.

The majority of the time I have Pandora or Slacker playing music in the background and Vuze running maps on the display. When I'm in the mountains outside of cell coverage, I'll run my local itunes music in the background instead.

Once nice thing about the Pioneer as a head unit and the USB connection is the pioneer will display station/song info from Pandora or Slacker, as well as allow skip forward and change stations.

 

Anyone have expreience switching from a PCM1 to a CDR220?

I'm trying to go forward with this mod, but right now I'm stuck on getting audio from the CDR220.

I've made a couple threads on various sites trying to tap into some more skilled knowledge than myself. This is a local thread if anyone has any insight.

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...cdr-220-a.html

 

I don't know what the connections look like for the PCM1 but this wiring diagram should help for the CDR220. This is for a 2002. I would go aftermarket if you are going to add an iPad. I now control almost everything from the Pioneer.

 

Yea, I'm thinking about going aftermarket Amp and speakers, but I'd really like to keep the oem headunit for looks.

Right now I'm looking at doing a 3 way component and just doing fronts with a 4ch JL amp. I'm looking at the Hertz ESK 163L or Focal 165a3 (or parting together a system). That way I can just swap out all the front speakers, and probably not do rear fill (i'm a 2ch guy and don't care much for rear fill).

I tested my CDR220 in another 996TT and everything powered on fine. So I'm thinking you're right about it being a power wire from the radio to the amp. But I still don't know what would be different. I called Becker inquiring about the RCA out cable, and they said the PCM1 is basically just a CDR220 on the top and they didn't see any reason why it shouldn't be a direct plug & play swap over.

 

mbgt72, I read your other thread and if it is power to the amp then see my post from earlier (quoted below)...

How is your sound wired up if the PCM1 did not have a "Plug B"? Only other way I see is the little yellow C1 molex with # 1-6 is being used. If that's the case then check the DSP ground as suggested in your other thread.

If none of the above, you can use the Metra 70-1784 Wire Harness that uses RCA's to wire to the amp. Go aftermarket and plug the RCA pre amps right in. The CDR220 does not have RCA pre amp outputs. You may have to get a molex tool and make your own harness.

 

I went aftermarket head unit just to control and charge the iPad. I still have the Bose amp and speakers (2002...pre MOST) for now.

Double check C1 #6 to the amp and the DSP. (I do not know about the DSP issue as I did not have a PCM1)

 

Pins 1-6 are there on the C1 connector. And I checked that there is a 12V feed from the Pin 6, which should be the active signal to turn on the M680 (which is the Amp & DSP) as I understand.

Also, there isn't a fuse on the actual amp of the oem unit. I even opening it up. Everything looks fine. I'm not sure about the "dsp ground" though, since the M680 contains the DSP, and I hadn't touched the amplifier basically.

I have ordered a RCA low-level line out from becker to use, I just had wished I could skip that step and get the oem working for a little while as it should just be a plug & play as I understand it and from what becker told me.

 

I would double check Plug II, pins #6 - DSP (amplifier) ground and #14 - DSP (amplifier) as you do not reuse Plug II for the CDR220. If the DSP is your issue you may have to wire these two pins to +12v and ground. I would search the DSP issue as B8 RDC suggested in your other thread first.

 

What a great thread, thanks for all do the info. Has anyone installed this in a 99-01, as mentioned the sizing is different with the cup holder and vents?

 

have you looked into the iphone head units? Im not sure if they have an one with an external usb hookup but it might be cool to check out.

 

Hey Kevin, I have an 2001, and did this myself. Grant you, the process is a little bit different, but, using PFBZ's example as guidance, it was pretty easy (if not a little time consuming due to grinding the plastic away).

I didn't take any pics, but, I'm going to get an LTE iPad Mini, and will install that in place of the iPad wifi I put in there now (I already had the wifi one, just wanted to play with it). I'll get some pics then for you.

One note, my AC unit was already in the very lower level. I purchased a single DIN Pioneer (DEH-80PRS) and installed that right above the AC unit (where storage area was). I had to remove the original unit from the 2nd slot down, and the cupholders from the top slot.

Also, I did not have the Bose system.

 

I would be interested in pictures of your install also. Are you happy with the Pioneer and iPad interface? Just curious about your impressions of the two together. I also have a 2001 with the AC already at the bottom. Thanks.

 

I have the iPad mini, stereo (same as OP), RCA lines, amp, AC moved to lower cubby and the will to so this. Just not sure how to on the 2001 three piece horseshoe. In for pics!

 

Hey Bruce, I'm pretty happy with them. I think the setup is a heck of a lot better, and cooler, than a bland ol' Double Din head unit. You can do plenty of things with it, and the list will just keep growing.

The unit I have (Others may do the same), interfaces pretty good with the iPad. It can control the library, Pandora, cell blue tooth (for my phone). One other bonus of the unit I have, it has 2 USB inputs. Therefore, I ran one USB cable to the elbow/arm support thingy. I just drop my phone in there when I get in, it charges it, and I can then control the iPhone from the headunit as well.

Essentially, it charges both (iPad and iPhone), and I have the ability to use whichever I want for music, pandora, etc.