Attempting to connect a 2 yr old Dension Gateway 500 to my '05 997S.

The MOST loop is done but PCM 2.1 says "amplifier not available".
I am now ready to connect the power and ground, but it seems silly to solder when I can just use wire caps.

Here's the question:
1.) is it normal for my PCM 2.1 to display the "amplifier not available" error message until I connect power to the Dension unit?
2.) I have no CD changer, but the car is wired for it. To provide power to the Dension unit, I am suppised to "tap into" that connection. Does that mean cutting off the black plastic connector to access the ground and power wires?

Here's a pic of the wiring for the CD changer. I am about to chop the black plastic connector end off of it, to allow my access to strip the ground and power wires. Yes or no?
CATTMAN

 

CATTMAN


1.) Yes it is normal to get an amplifier not available signal until you complete setup.

2.) Dont chop off that black plastic connector, just in case you end up needing a cd changer in the future. Just go to radio shack and buy a wire splicer.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/po...ductId=2998435

Good Luck

 

Too late, I hacked it off! No worries, why would I need a CD changer if I haven't already, and now that I'll have a dedicated iPod.

It's working! Wow, it was so easy to DIY, can't imagine paying $200 to get someone else to do it. Now, paying someone to teach me how to use it? Naahh, a 5th grader can show me in about 30 seconds.

BTW, why would anyone solder this stuff? There are just 2 wires, ground and power. Isn't soldering it over the top when one can just as effectively and more easily use twist caps and some electrical tape? What am I missing here?
CATTMAN

 

Soldering is easy and won't vibrate loose.

 

Congratulations on biting the bullet and installing your Dension Gateway 500. I told you it wasn't so hard ... and it sounds so good!

For the past week or so I have been translating my iTunes from the Apple format (m4a or m4p) to mp3 and copying them into a flash drive. I recently exported my playlists (converting them from Apple format to m3u format) and puting them into the flash drive. I now have all my itunes and playlists in a flash drive that is connected to the Dension Gateway.

Cheers,

 

I am loving it so far! Got it for $250 from a fellow 6speeder, and will be adding the BT add-on from the BumperPlugs group buy shortly.

In terms of using an iPod vs. a USB drive: I was going to convert my itunes to mp3 format and use a flash drive, but a 16G flash drive is over $60 and I can get a refurbished 16g Nano from Apple for $120. Seem that a refurb Nano is an obviously better choice, as it's far more useful than a big flash drive would be. What am I missing? Is there any inherent advantage to running off of a flash drive over an iPod?
CATTMAN

 

Yikes! This isn't home electrical wiring. At least use crimped butt connectors if you aren't going to solder. Twist caps should not be used in automotive wiring. Think of the cost of a short - nothing electrical on a p-car is cheap.

 

Seems pretty secure. I suppose I could get it soldered professionally pretty inexpensively though.
CATTMAN

 

Cheaper to buy your own soldering gun and some solder. Nothing hard about it at all.