(Last updated 10/24/11)
Over the years, our Technical Support Group here at Logjam Electronics has answered many tech support inquiries that relate to mistakes that installers make, both 'professional' and non-professional installers, when installing an auxiliary input converter or iPod interface adapter in a vehicle. Although experience at installing interfaces and adapters is definately on the rise, there are many people who have no experience and have never installed an interface. Therefore, we are hoping that this short article will help to point out the most common installation mistakes and identify what it is you or your inexperienced installer can do to avoid them.
This first thing you must understand is that these interface products were never intended to be Do-It-Yourself type products. They do not have step-by-step installation instructions included in with the product. They have installation instructions included with the product but these devices were created by the manufacturer with the professional installer in mind and the included installation instructions were typically written by the engineer who designed the product with the assumption the individual doing the installation would have experience and an understanding of the do's and don'ts of interface installation. They assumed the installer would be familar with locating 12V switched and 12V constant power sources and chassis ground, and also have a working knowledge of dashboard disassembly and radio removal, or at least have readily available access to radio removal instructions for specific vehicles. So if you're expecting to do this install yourself, it is to your advantage to read through these helpful tips and explanations of what it is you're about to get yourself into.
This list of possible glitches and mistakes are in some simblence of an order, but not necessarily a precise order. So it will be in your best interest to follow the very first tip and read through this entire document. It could possibly save you an enormous amount of time, money and frustration if you do.
Thoroughly read the entire installation instructions that comes with the interface before you do anything, and then be sure to follow all of the instructions - This sounds simple enough but you'd be surprised at how many times we get an email or a phone call that starts out with, "I followed the installation instructions to the letter but the interface is not being recognized by the factory radio." So we ask, "Did you disconnect the negative terminal of the battery before installing?" And they say, "Well no, I didn't see that." So, read the instructions!
Staying with the subject of the included written installation instructions, once you have read through the instructions, before you begin to do anything, we strongly suggest you:
Think through the installation process by deciding where you want the audio device to be located, taking into consideration how you will be operating the device from that location - The basic premise of "I want to hook up my iPod in my car" is great as the ultimate goal in this process, but completing this overall goal requires that you think through how the iPod will be connected, how the iPod will be controlled, how it will be charged, etc, etc, etc. This thought process isn't difficult at all, but the installation can be much better planned and excuted if the thinking is done before you start tearing your vehicle's interior apart.
Be sure you have the proper radio removal instructions and any radio removal tools if needed - We get complaints all the time from customers who are outraged to find out that the product they are buying does not come with specific radio removal instructions for their exact vehicle with their exact interior layout. They do not understand the sheer number of specific radio removal instructions there would be necessary for a interface that is compatible over several model years of vehicles that can include as many as 7 diferent car manufacturers with three or four different interior variations for each different model from each different car manufacturer. The possible permientations for the number of radio removal instructions are in the hundreds. Just go on-line and do a search for radio removal instructions for your particular year, make and model of vehicle and you'll see what we mean. Some radio removals are very simple and others can be very complex and challeging, especially if you do not have the right tools or jigs. People also ask why radio removal tools are not included. Well, the same interface can sometimes be used in several different vehicles, some that would require radio removal tools and some that would not. So, including removal tools for those vehicles that don't need them is just an extra cost you don't need. Plus, remember, these kits are not designed to be Do-It-Yourself kits and professional installers will have all the radio removal tools they need.
Do not open the products until you're sure you have the right interface - it will just simplify the return process if you have to exchange the product. Radio variations are notoriously common within factory radios in the same year, make and model vehicle. And since most on-line retailers require that a product be unopened before returning or exchanging, it just makes sense to inspect the radio's connectors to be sure they match up with the products you've purchased before you open the products. The better on-line Retailers will have photos of the radio connectors that the interface was designed to fit on their website, so use this information to make sure your factory radio has the same configuration of connectors.
Be sure you have everything you'll need before you start - After finally getting the dash and interior of your vehicle torn apart to install this new gadget is not the time to find out you don't have everything you need to finish the installation, especially if the vehicle you have just torn apart is your only means of transportation at the moment to get what you need. This ties directly into thinking through the project before starting, making sure you have everything you need.
Test the installation before you put everything back together - We even suggest that you test the installation several times while you are putting things back together to insure that you don't knock something lose or pinch a wire during the dash reassembly. This can save you time in the long run.
Do not get in a hurry throughout the installation process - In most cases, even an experienced installer will take around an hour doing an install of an iPod interface or auxiliary input converter. Therefore, if this is your first install, expect that it is going to be a good 2 hours, if not more, before you complete everything and have your vehicle put back together. The actual electrical installation generally only takes a few minutes because for the most part, most of the interfaces are simply plug-n-play devices. However, the dash disassembly, radio removal and then the reassembly of everything, the running of the cables and wires for the audio device connections out from under the dash or under the carpet or from the trunk through the back seat if the device has to connect in the rear of the vehicle, tieing up the wires, installing a device holder, all these things are what takes the majority of the total time. And then if there is a problem, troubleshooting can add another hour onto the process. So be sure you have enough time to take your time to do the installation right. You'll be glad you did when it's done.
Well, there you have it, just a few suggestions in order to make the installation of your new device smooth and frustration free. Do these things and you'll be listening to your music before you know it.
- - - Logjam Electronics Technical Support
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