Finished my XM install
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 538
Likes: 1
From: White Lake, MI
04 C320 Coupe MT
Originally Posted by Jim Banville
#1 - my XM Roady (which is a few steps above junk, thank you!) install cost me less than $150 and I have no ugly antenna on the outside of my car. How much is OEM Sirius? $800?!!!!!
#2 - Sirius SUCKS! Everyone complains about repeats (they are "Hits based", so they only plays the songs you've already heard ump-teen tmes already on FM) and the DJ on the alternative rock channels are AWFUL! They babble on like FM DJ's
#2 - Sirius SUCKS! Everyone complains about repeats (they are "Hits based", so they only plays the songs you've already heard ump-teen tmes already on FM) and the DJ on the alternative rock channels are AWFUL! They babble on like FM DJ's
sorry again.
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Joined: May 2002
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From: GA
'06 Lexus GS300 RWD, '07 Camry SE V6 auto, '91 190E 2.6 auto
Originally Posted by mbbodytech
Sorry, I didn't mean to offend anyone. I guess it's down to personal opinions, which everyone has. I guess part of my opinion on that subject stems from some of the free installations I have seen some stores offer, but of course that wouldn't apply to you or anyone else here.
sorry again.
sorry again.
No worries mate! I think the word "junk" was you major faux pas
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 322
Likes: 5
From: Albany, NY
2015 C350 Coupe
I'm trying to figure out the Roady2 in the ashtray install.
1. I can see that the antenna passes through to the engine compartment and then sits below the vent slats in the hood. Great Hiding spot.
2. I can't figure out how to tap into the cassette radio of my to give it the XM signal and draw power. I have the 2002 coupe with cassette radio.
Could someone explaine this for me? I'd like to complete this mod asap. By the way, I might need some pics if you have any.
Also, Is there any way that I could use this mod to attach an Ipod without having to use the cassette adapter and to be able to charge it? Just a thought.
1. I can see that the antenna passes through to the engine compartment and then sits below the vent slats in the hood. Great Hiding spot.
2. I can't figure out how to tap into the cassette radio of my to give it the XM signal and draw power. I have the 2002 coupe with cassette radio.
Could someone explaine this for me? I'd like to complete this mod asap. By the way, I might need some pics if you have any.
Also, Is there any way that I could use this mod to attach an Ipod without having to use the cassette adapter and to be able to charge it? Just a thought.
Last edited by BeaverMjr; Nov 25, 2005 at 05:00 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: 38° 52′ 51″ N || 94° 48′ 11″ W
'01 C320 || '14 Honda Pilot EX-L
Originally Posted by BeaverMjr
I'm trying to figure out the Roady2 in the ashtray install.
1. I can see that the antenna passes through to the engine compartment and then sits below the vent slats in the hood. Great Hiding spot.
2. I can't figure out how to tap into the cassette radio of my to give it the XM signal and draw power. I have the 2002 coupe with cassette radio.
Could someone explaine this for me? I'd like to complete this mod asap. By the way, I might need some pics if you have any.
Also, Is there any way that I could use this mod to attach an Ipod without having to use the cassette adapter and to be able to charge it? Just a thought.
1. I can see that the antenna passes through to the engine compartment and then sits below the vent slats in the hood. Great Hiding spot.
2. I can't figure out how to tap into the cassette radio of my to give it the XM signal and draw power. I have the 2002 coupe with cassette radio.
Could someone explaine this for me? I'd like to complete this mod asap. By the way, I might need some pics if you have any.
Also, Is there any way that I could use this mod to attach an Ipod without having to use the cassette adapter and to be able to charge it? Just a thought.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 322
Likes: 5
From: Albany, NY
2015 C350 Coupe
In trying to perform the mod, i need to take the 3 wires somewhere.
1. Where do I find power? which fuse can I use? can I tie into the cigaret lighter fuse?
2. How do I snake the antenna into the engine compartment?
3. How do I tie into the radio. I was thinking of using the tape adapter...I could add a splitter and snake the tape adapter wire to both the ipod and sat receiver. The ipod sits in the cubby below the tape radio. That way I could use both without having to resnake the wire. The question is how to snake the cassette adapter cable from the radio behind the heater controls and into the ashtray. Since I don't have an aux cable, this is my best idea. any suggestions?
All help is appreciated.
1. Where do I find power? which fuse can I use? can I tie into the cigaret lighter fuse?
2. How do I snake the antenna into the engine compartment?
3. How do I tie into the radio. I was thinking of using the tape adapter...I could add a splitter and snake the tape adapter wire to both the ipod and sat receiver. The ipod sits in the cubby below the tape radio. That way I could use both without having to resnake the wire. The question is how to snake the cassette adapter cable from the radio behind the heater controls and into the ashtray. Since I don't have an aux cable, this is my best idea. any suggestions?
All help is appreciated.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Originally Posted by LMing
thank you for clear it up, will it work in Canada ? since DirectTV is working in Canada also, maybe XM can ? heh
do you have to pay monthly ? thank you
do you have to pay monthly ? thank you
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,238
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From: Long Island, New York
'05 C230SS 6MT, 1966 Triumph TR4a IRS, Shelby Cobra 427 Supercharged
Originally Posted by Buellwinkle
If you have DirecTV then you have XM, it's in the 800 channel range. All you need now is a $2K DirecTV mobile antenna on your roof and you are good to go.
KVH makes some good stuff, I tried to talk my dad into getting the smaller dome for our boat, but it costs $2800!
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 322
Likes: 5
From: Albany, NY
2015 C350 Coupe
I'm looking at the XM install in the ashtray and I can't figure out which fuse to tap into. I looked at the diagram and was going to try #44 teleaid because it's a blank 5 amp slot. I thought I'd be able to go out, buy a fuse and be all set. my dad suggested using a tool to test for power. I did and that slot seems to be dead. should it be as I don't have teleaid?
1. the power adapter for the roady has 2 wires, one power and one ground. how do i know which one is which? I don't want to fry the radio if I reverse the wires and send power through the ground.
2. which fuse should I tap into? all the other 5 amp fuses seem to be going to components I don't want to mess with.
3. is it all that easy to access the back of the ashtray with just the lower dash piece off?
1. the power adapter for the roady has 2 wires, one power and one ground. how do i know which one is which? I don't want to fry the radio if I reverse the wires and send power through the ground.
2. which fuse should I tap into? all the other 5 amp fuses seem to be going to components I don't want to mess with.
3. is it all that easy to access the back of the ashtray with just the lower dash piece off?
Thread Starter
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From: 38° 52′ 51″ N || 94° 48′ 11″ W
'01 C320 || '14 Honda Pilot EX-L
I tapped into the cigarette lighter for power. Remember that your Roady is only 6 volts and the car is 12, so the best thing to do is to hide a power socket that you can plug the Roady plug into. If you cut the lighter plug from your Roady cord and go to power you will fry it. I went to Radio Shack and bought a doble socket lighter power adapter and cut that apart and hid it under the console trim below the shifter. I did not modify the plug on the Roady at all, just tucked it all away. You can do it other ways, but I did not want to mess with voltage reducers or anything like that. Let me know if you need more pictures as I would be happy to show what I did.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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Please post pics, it would be very helpful. I install XM a while back and I took it out because the station never stayed in tuned and it sounded like crap. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Looks great by the way.
Looks great by the way.
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 86
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From: Pacific Northwest
2006 MB C230, Black on Black
Excellent Work!!!!!
I have XM and have always loved the "perfectly" clear sound, better than a CD, really. I also noticed your Roady2 is of the older model, would'nt the new Roady work in your ashtray? Also please tell me 100% that you CAN close your ashtray? If you can then you are an excellent installer. I will use your pictures for my installer to use on my XM.
Thanks............
Thanks............
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 322
Likes: 5
From: Albany, NY
2015 C350 Coupe
why didn't you tell me that b4 I started?
Originally Posted by johncl
If you cut the lighter plug from your Roady cord and go to power you will fry it.
I took the advice of the above post that mentioned tapping into the radio. I took the radio out and found a fuse on the back of it. I cut the XM power cable and attached it to the fuse. I asume one wire is power other ground. I tried both wires. nothing from the roady. I just reattached the power socket adapter to the power cable and the roady is not fried. I will put everything back together and try the extra power socket adapter idea.
Wish me luck.
BTW - how would I tie into the radio...i mean is that at all easy? I still have the consol apart.
Last edited by BeaverMjr; Feb 12, 2006 at 11:38 AM.
Thread Starter
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Posts: 2,326
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From: 38° 52′ 51″ N || 94° 48′ 11″ W
'01 C320 || '14 Honda Pilot EX-L
Originally Posted by SwedeMercedes
I have XM and have always loved the "perfectly" clear sound, better than a CD, really. I also noticed your Roady2 is of the older model, would'nt the new Roady work in your ashtray? Also please tell me 100% that you CAN close your ashtray? If you can then you are an excellent installer. I will use your pictures for my installer to use on my XM.
Thanks............
Thanks............
Originally Posted by BeaverMjr
I took the advice of the above post that mentioned tapping into the radio. I took the radio out and found a fuse on the back of it. I cut the cigaret cable and attached it to the fuse. I asume one wire is power other ground. I tried both wires. nothing from the roady.
now it's dead. I'm going to reattach the cigaret lighter plug and see if the roady is fried. If not then I will put everything back together and try the extra power socket adapter idea.
Wish me luck.
BTW - how would I tie into the radio...i mean is that at all easy? i still have the consol apart and access to the back of the radio.
now it's dead. I'm going to reattach the cigaret lighter plug and see if the roady is fried. If not then I will put everything back together and try the extra power socket adapter idea.
Wish me luck.
BTW - how would I tie into the radio...i mean is that at all easy? i still have the consol apart and access to the back of the radio.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 322
Likes: 5
From: Albany, NY
2015 C350 Coupe
power?
I've still got the consol apart and have access to the back of the radio. I just can't figure out where to draw power. I tried the black wire that was mentioned in an earlier post, but I think it's the wrong black wire as my coupe has no power antenna. I also tried the 10 amp fuse on the back of the radio. nothing.
Maybe I'm hooking the wires up wrong to the power plug for the XM radio. I am going to get a power socket at radio shack and connect to a power source.
How would I use the radio for power? should the 10 amp fuse work or should I look somewhere else?
all help is greatly appreciated. I'd hate to think I took the car apart for nothing.
Maybe I'm hooking the wires up wrong to the power plug for the XM radio. I am going to get a power socket at radio shack and connect to a power source.
How would I use the radio for power? should the 10 amp fuse work or should I look somewhere else?
all help is greatly appreciated. I'd hate to think I took the car apart for nothing.
Last edited by BeaverMjr; Feb 12, 2006 at 11:41 AM.
Thread Starter
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From: 38° 52′ 51″ N || 94° 48′ 11″ W
'01 C320 || '14 Honda Pilot EX-L
Here is the picture that I promised. I cut the end off of a power adapter and tapped into the cigarette lighter power line. The wires run underneath to the bottom of the lighter. As you can see the XM plug is still there and once the console is together you see nothing.
Thread Starter
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From: 38° 52′ 51″ N || 94° 48′ 11″ W
'01 C320 || '14 Honda Pilot EX-L
Originally Posted by BeaverMjr
Maybe I'm hooking the wires up wrong to the power plug for the XM radio. I am going to get a power socket at radio shack and connect to a power source.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 322
Likes: 5
From: Albany, NY
2015 C350 Coupe
12v
the strange thing is that I cut the XM power cable wires and removed the socket part. then I tried to find power. when nothing worked, I reattached the socket part to the power cable and pluged into the power socket. The sat radio still works.
I'm going to try the extra power socket idea you showed. It is clean and well hidden.
I wanted to try and get power from the radio so I could power the sat radio while the key is out of the ignition. I can live without that. How often would I listen to sat radio with the keys out of the ignition? it would probably be for bragging rights only.
another thought... I've been using my Ipod with the tape adapter in conjunction with my radio. It works great. the only problem is that I still have to take it in the house or to the office and charge it. If I got the power adapter plug and spliced in a third socket to power this additional accessory, am I going to draw too much power and fry the 15V fuse?
I'll let you know what happens.
I'm going to try the extra power socket idea you showed. It is clean and well hidden.
I wanted to try and get power from the radio so I could power the sat radio while the key is out of the ignition. I can live without that. How often would I listen to sat radio with the keys out of the ignition? it would probably be for bragging rights only.
another thought... I've been using my Ipod with the tape adapter in conjunction with my radio. It works great. the only problem is that I still have to take it in the house or to the office and charge it. If I got the power adapter plug and spliced in a third socket to power this additional accessory, am I going to draw too much power and fry the 15V fuse?
I'll let you know what happens.
Last edited by BeaverMjr; Feb 12, 2006 at 12:06 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,326
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From: 38° 52′ 51″ N || 94° 48′ 11″ W
'01 C320 || '14 Honda Pilot EX-L
Originally Posted by BeaverMjr
another thought... I've been using my Ipod with the tape adapter in conjunction with my radio. It works great. the only problem is that I still have to take it in the house or to the office and charge it. If I got the power adapter plug and spliced in a third socket to power this additional accessory, am I going to draw too much power and fry the 15V fuse?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 322
Likes: 5
From: Albany, NY
2015 C350 Coupe
power outlet ?
How do I get to the bottom of the power outlet to figure out which wires go where? I managed to pop the trim around the shifter. I can't get that off though. It's kind of in the way. what can i do?
Thread Starter
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From: 38° 52′ 51″ N || 94° 48′ 11″ W
'01 C320 || '14 Honda Pilot EX-L
Originally Posted by BeaverMjr
How do I get to the bottom of the power outlet to figure out which wires go where? I managed to pop the trim around the shifter. I can't get that off though. It's kind of in the way. what can i do?
Thread Starter
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From: 38° 52′ 51″ N || 94° 48′ 11″ W
'01 C320 || '14 Honda Pilot EX-L
Just lift the trim around the shifter and set it aside. There is no need to remove the shifter. See my pic, just lift it up over itself. Do it gently as you don't want to break any connectors.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 322
Likes: 5
From: Albany, NY
2015 C350 Coupe
the cup holder is out and I got to the bottom of the power socket. which wires are what? i'm not an electrition and I don't know what connects to what. I tried the touching the wires from the power socket Y to the existing socket wires and watching for the light on the ipod plug to light up. it's just so darn crampt in there. too bad the wires aren't connected to a plug.
I just don't understand all this wiring stuff.
I just don't understand all this wiring stuff.
