Experience with Dension 500S BT and Recommendation
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I'm glad your setup works well for you :-)
The experience does seem to differ from case to case. Not sure that a professional install would make any difference though. Once you get past the terrible install diagrams it's just a case of:
1) connecting power to the unit (instructions say to switched so mine is off the unit power source)
2) Introducing the device into the MOST loop using the supplied cable.
3) In my case bypass the phone module under the drives seat (rhd car) so phone book can be accessed from the PCM - this also enabled the accept/decline call buttons to function. The BT phone functions ok without doing this except you have to answer/dials calls from the phone and be in dension/cd changer mode.
4) enable cd changer on PCM with PIWIS (my car didn't come fitted with one).
I can't see what else can be done - professionally or otherwise.
It looks like my options are use the workarounds or change it for something else!
The experience does seem to differ from case to case. Not sure that a professional install would make any difference though. Once you get past the terrible install diagrams it's just a case of:
1) connecting power to the unit (instructions say to switched so mine is off the unit power source)
2) Introducing the device into the MOST loop using the supplied cable.
3) In my case bypass the phone module under the drives seat (rhd car) so phone book can be accessed from the PCM - this also enabled the accept/decline call buttons to function. The BT phone functions ok without doing this except you have to answer/dials calls from the phone and be in dension/cd changer mode.
4) enable cd changer on PCM with PIWIS (my car didn't come fitted with one).
I can't see what else can be done - professionally or otherwise.
It looks like my options are use the workarounds or change it for something else!
I thought about getting one of the fancy new head units, but with the Bose set-up it would cost around $2K, and for that money I'm willing to put up with the Dension's quirks. Also, the car isn't my daily driver. If it were I might feel differently. In any case, good luck with whatever you decide to do.
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 20
From: London, UK
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You're probably right. The only difference I can tell from your description is regarding your #3. In my case the installer actually removed the phone module from under the passenger seat. I suppose that doesn't make a real difference, though. And I still get the "No phone" warning anyway.
I thought about getting one of the fancy new head units, but with the Bose set-up it would cost around $2K, and for that money I'm willing to put up with the Dension's quirks. Also, the car isn't my daily driver. If it were I might feel differently. In any case, good luck with whatever you decide to do.
I thought about getting one of the fancy new head units, but with the Bose set-up it would cost around $2K, and for that money I'm willing to put up with the Dension's quirks. Also, the car isn't my daily driver. If it were I might feel differently. In any case, good luck with whatever you decide to do.
I also removed the phone module completely but you still have to use a loop back cable to maintain the MOST circuit. I would expect your installer did the same otherwise it would involve a lot more surgery :-)
Regards
Ben
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 94
From: Miami, Florida
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I'm glad your setup works well for you :-)
The experience does seem to differ from case to case. Not sure that a professional install would make any difference though. Once you get past the terrible install diagrams it's just a case of:
1) connecting power to the unit (instructions say to switched so mine is off the unit power source)
2) Introducing the device into the MOST loop using the supplied cable.
3) In my case bypass the phone module under the drives seat (rhd car) so phone book can be accessed from the PCM - this also enabled the accept/decline call buttons to function. The BT phone functions ok without doing this except you have to answer/dials calls from the phone and be in dension/cd changer mode.
4) enable cd changer on PCM with PIWIS (my car didn't come fitted with one).
I can't see what else can be done - professionally or otherwise.
It looks like my options are use the workarounds or change it for something else!
The experience does seem to differ from case to case. Not sure that a professional install would make any difference though. Once you get past the terrible install diagrams it's just a case of:
1) connecting power to the unit (instructions say to switched so mine is off the unit power source)
2) Introducing the device into the MOST loop using the supplied cable.
3) In my case bypass the phone module under the drives seat (rhd car) so phone book can be accessed from the PCM - this also enabled the accept/decline call buttons to function. The BT phone functions ok without doing this except you have to answer/dials calls from the phone and be in dension/cd changer mode.
4) enable cd changer on PCM with PIWIS (my car didn't come fitted with one).
I can't see what else can be done - professionally or otherwise.
It looks like my options are use the workarounds or change it for something else!
1) power is off the PCM power line. It was initially through the passenger socket. Same issues with either power sources
2) loops works perfectly, without any hiccup. Handshake verified. With the AUX or USB, I have absolutely no issues.
3) No phone module in my car. With Bluetooh before the unit crashes, i can answer the phone from the PCM buttons. The unit usually crashes at the start of the second trip of the day.
4) CD changer was enabled with PIWIS at the dealership.
Either my unit is defective, or there is something in the design of the unit that makes it susceptible to crash with some iPhones and not others.
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Joined: Jul 2014
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From: London, UK
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My install:
1) power is off the PCM power line. It was initially through the passenger socket. Same issues with either power sources
2) loops works perfectly, without any hiccup. Handshake verified. With the AUX or USB, I have absolutely no issues.
3) No phone module in my car. With Bluetooh before the unit crashes, i can answer the phone from the PCM buttons. The unit usually crashes at the start of the second trip of the day.
4) CD changer was enabled with PIWIS at the dealership.
Either my unit is defective, or there is something in the design of the unit that makes it susceptible to crash with some iPhones and not others.
1) power is off the PCM power line. It was initially through the passenger socket. Same issues with either power sources
2) loops works perfectly, without any hiccup. Handshake verified. With the AUX or USB, I have absolutely no issues.
3) No phone module in my car. With Bluetooh before the unit crashes, i can answer the phone from the PCM buttons. The unit usually crashes at the start of the second trip of the day.
4) CD changer was enabled with PIWIS at the dealership.
Either my unit is defective, or there is something in the design of the unit that makes it susceptible to crash with some iPhones and not others.
Out of interest... Does your setup allow you to access the phone book from the PCM?
Cheers
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Joined: Jul 2014
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From: London, UK
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Cheers
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Joined: May 2014
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From: New Zealand
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Phone module is coded out in the PCM, looped out of the MOST but is still physically located in the car (but obviously not cabled in).
I don't get a Phone Module error on startup, but do get a CD Changer error when I have dip switch 6 set to on (phone feature) on the Dension. I can use the full phone function on the PCM when the phone is paired and connected to the Dension via Bluetooth, including steering wheel controls.
I don't get a Phone Module error on startup, but do get a CD Changer error when I have dip switch 6 set to on (phone feature) on the Dension. I can use the full phone function on the PCM when the phone is paired and connected to the Dension via Bluetooth, including steering wheel controls.
Last edited by nzskater; Sep 11, 2014 at 01:09 AM.
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 20
From: London, UK
Rep Power: 0
Phone module is coded out in the PCM, looped out of the MOST but is still physically located in the car (but obviously not cabled in).
I don't get a Phone Module error on startup, but do get a CD Changer error when I have dip switch 6 set to on (phone feature) on the Dension. I can use the full phone function on the PCM when the phone is paired and connected to the Dension via Bluetooth, including steering wheel controls.
I don't get a Phone Module error on startup, but do get a CD Changer error when I have dip switch 6 set to on (phone feature) on the Dension. I can use the full phone function on the PCM when the phone is paired and connected to the Dension via Bluetooth, including steering wheel controls.
I'm going to play around with a voltmeter and find a 'key in' fuse slot that I can tap into. I just want a workaround that doesn't involve either remembering to turn some on/off before I get in/out of the car. Not much to ask is it! :-)
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From: Miami, Florida
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I will check it on Friday and report back. It has been a while that I have not connected the phone directly or via Bluetooth.
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From: SoCal
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You're probably right. The only difference I can tell from your description is regarding your #3. In my case the installer actually removed the phone module from under the passenger seat. I suppose that doesn't make a real difference, though. And I still get the "No phone" warning anyway.
I thought about getting one of the fancy new head units, but with the Bose set-up it would cost around $2K, and for that money I'm willing to put up with the Dension's quirks. Also, the car isn't my daily driver. If it were I might feel differently. In any case, good luck with whatever you decide to do.
I thought about getting one of the fancy new head units, but with the Bose set-up it would cost around $2K, and for that money I'm willing to put up with the Dension's quirks. Also, the car isn't my daily driver. If it were I might feel differently. In any case, good luck with whatever you decide to do.
I don't care about phone, I just want aux input. Can that be simply and cheaply achieved without breaking the bank?
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I'm please could you elaborate? How did you rig yours up to the power?
Cheers
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From: Miami, Florida
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Eric at BumperPlugs will not help you diagnose the unit unless it is installed to unswitched power.
The supporting engineer that Eric speaks with require installing to unswitched power.
What ar eye exactly talking about ? What is "hook it to the power right" really means?
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From: London, UK
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The installation manual says it needs to be installed to unswitched (i.e. Constant) power.
Eric at BumperPlugs will not help you diagnose the unit unless it is installed to unswitched power.
The supporting engineer that Eric speaks with require installing to unswitched power.
What ar eye exactly talking about ? What is "hook it to the power right" really means?
Eric at BumperPlugs will not help you diagnose the unit unless it is installed to unswitched power.
The supporting engineer that Eric speaks with require installing to unswitched power.
What ar eye exactly talking about ? What is "hook it to the power right" really means?
That's what I intended to say :-)
