Here is an update on my install with the sony direct wire solution from S2Kman. Here are some pics of the unit:



And a pic of my headunit:


Altogether the wiring and installation was fairly straight forward. I only had two extra wires along with the speaker wires on the harness I didn't use ( I have an external amp)...one was an orange (no use for sony), other was power antenna lead (possible culprit for AM reception problem discussed below).

The programming was a different story...much of this was my indecision on how to program the functions. Here is my current setup:
Mute mode=0
Mode control, push=function 9 (tuner:Mode, CD:Mode)
Mode control, hold=function 3 (tuner:Source, CD:Source)
CH control, push=function 1 (tuner:Seek+, CD:Track Up)
CH control, hold=function 10 (tuner:Preset Up, CD: Disk Up)
Vol Up, push & hold=function 6 (tuner:Vol Up, CD:Volume Up)
Vol Dwn, push & hold=function 7 (tuner:Vol Dwn, CD:Volume Dwn)

With the setup I have encountered two problems and one preference issue.

Problem 1) No AM reception...think I have seen a thread on this...I am thinking it is a harness wiring issue.

Problem 2) everything works fine with the key turned to the "accessory only position"...but when I turn the key to the "run" position or am driving the car...the headunit keeps advancing the track while playing a CD without pushing the CH button. Some times it advances 3-4 tracks, plays a few seconds, advances another, plays a few seconds, then advances 3 or 4 more. I have re-programmed the unit several times...no change.

Preference Issue 1) it would be nice to have preset up (function 10 for tuner) and track up (function 1 for CD) on the same function. That way it does not matter if you are in CD or tuner....one button functionality would move you up, one button functionality would move you down. As it is now you need four seperate functions for up/down for station presets and CD tracks.

Anyone else have a better setup??...I just want to go up or down a CD track and atleast up my presets...maybe the push function on the volume button for up or down tracks and the hold function on the volume button for volume adjustments...I'll have to try this out.

Two tips for those trying to program....

Tip #1, When you are picking the function, the initial setting is function 0, push ready 5 times, it is funtion 5 (Display).

Tip #2, Each time you push the ready button to pick a function, let the red light come on and completely go out....I was just pushing the thing 5-10 times as fast as I could and it would only register a few times.

Ending notes: Aside from the few issues above, this is a slick unit...I emailed s2kman about the above issues...waiting to hear back...will post an update asap.

 

I agree. S2kman did a great job on this and it is very responsive and works great.

David

 

almilli,

How do you have it programmed...have you experienced the CH button working without pushing it during driving?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by KaCee
[B]almilli,

 

Here's my setup of buttons:

Mute mode=0
Mode control, push=Source
Mode control, hold=Mode
CH control, push=Channel Up
CH control, hold=Channel Up (it fast forwards in the current song)
Vol Up, push=Vol Up
Vol Up, hold=Disc Up
Vol Down, push= Vol Down
Vol Down, hold=Disc Down

 

Sorry for the delay in responses guys, I've been out for the holidays and I decided I had better spend some time doing some things around the house before my wife got too upset.

KaCee, I e-mailed you about the problems you have experienced. I will echo that here, I suggest you try programming it with the engine running. It sounds like your car has an exceptionally noisy electrical system.

Also, good notes on the programming. Someone identified two minor issues with the instructions which I have corrected and I will be posting on my new web site soon. Mainly there was a problem with an indication of 'Step 13' that should have read 'Step 10'.

 

I've emailed S2kman privately on more issues, but want to see if anyone else has had the same problem with the unit "accepting" the programming, but not acting right? It appeared to take the programming but no buttons work save for the "MODE" button which isn't doing the right thing. I would suspect I goofed the programming, but I can't get the other buttons to do anything.

I also noticed the "Step 13" issue, and that on Step 4 all appearances of the "Ready" light should be replaced with "Program." At least, that's the way it worked on mine. I also didn't get the 10-15 second flash after programming- well, I did, but it just kept flashing. Didn't stop after 2 minutes, so I assumed it was done.

 

marcucci,

You are correct, the proceed to step 13, should be step 10. That is a typo in the instructions.

As far as the programming sequence, I'll answer your e-mail tonight (I can read it from work, but not reply to it), but you are missing the sequence slightly in two places.

First, in step four you hold the Mode button down and then press the ready button, waiting for the light. You are correct, it is a typo, the word 'Ready' should be 'Program' in this step. Then you will need to setup the desired functions for the 'Mode' button in steps 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Second, at step 9, you must go back to step 4, NOT step 5. Once you go back to step four you hold the next dash control down, (like the CH button) and then press the ready button. You should get a long light of the 'Program' light at this time. Now do steps 5, 6, 7, and 8 for the CH button. Now repeat this process for Volume UP, and then Volume DN.

Also, at step 10, you are supposed to see flashing of BOTH lights at the same time for 10-15 seconds. I failed to make this clear in the instructions. If the lights flash back and forth (alternating red/green) then this indicates that the unit detected a problem in the programming cycle. This could indicate that you didn't follow the sequence correctly, it isn't wired up properly (The dash controls lead isn't connected to the right place), or you tried to program the same dash control twice.

 

S2Kman,
got your email today...I don't understand why the car running could make a difference in programming the unit....anyway, tried your suggestion of programming the unit with the car running....yet it would not program...held the Program button down and turned the key to "I", started the car, and then program sequence stopped. Is there a different sequence when starting the car to program?

I tried re-programming the buttons...now I have track up on the vol+ (push) and the track down on the vol-(push)...no more runaway CD track advances. On the CH button, I have preset up for push and preset down for hold...no runaways with my presets in this setup. Seems to be working OK...have snow here today...will try to drive around this weekend to checkout the setup.

Noticed your previous post on the system check and alternating lights. My unit sometimes alternates lights and at other times, lights both at the same time, other times does both in the same check process...also noticed that on occasion the red program light sometimes dimms during this process. Is there something wrong with the unit? Seems to accept the programming every time.

One note for others: I have noticed if you put a track up or track down on the hold function, the HU tends to interpret the constant signal as a "fast-forward or reverse" track...you have to time your button hold just right to advance the track. This limits your options if you want a track up/down and preset up/down functions.

Current setup (isn't this thing great...don't like the configuration...take 2 minutes and change it all!):

Mute mode=0
Mode control, push=Source
Mode control, hold=Mode
CH control, push=Preset Up
CH control, hold=Preset Down (no runaways when held)
Vol Up, push=Track up/seek +
Vol Up, hold=Volume Up
Vol Down, push= Track down/seek -
Vol Down, hold=Vol Down

 

alternating blinking lights means there was an error in programming and you have to start over. If they blink at the same time (one of them only dims), then that means it was successful.


David