Scosche FM Modulator

[jonnevilleSSEi]

I am in the final stages of installing a 'Scoche" fm modulator from Crutchfield and it's been a bit of an adventure (not too bad I guess) From the initial frustration at needing to learn that removing stereo heads may require more imagination that I'd anticipated (needed to hold mine at a peculiar angle to access the cables for easier removal). This is a unit with a metal box behind the dash, and a small black plastic mount which includes a lighted rocker switch and input jack. I ended up "Loc"king the theftlock and learning that there are ways to DIY unlock the thing. It only took a few minutes so email me if you need that technique. (for non thieves only!!) to draining the battery and needing a jump to the antennae adaptor unplugging while trying to get the radio in so only static on attempt 1 and not too much better now.

So, I'm getting some interference through the system (the type that sounds like George Jetzon's flying car and increases in pitch and frequency as the engine rev's higher. According to scoche that is a grounding issue. I grounded to a black wire in the primary cable connector. I thought I did a secure job, but used no solder or connectors, just shaved an opening in the wire, split the copper wires, put the scoche ground through the middle and taped it up. So that's issue 1.

The sound quality was very disappointing. I used a Belkin cassette adaptor in my last vehicle and while it wasn't perfect and amazing, the sound was quite good. When this modulator is connected currently volume is about 50% of the radio and when the bass hits it cracks and this simply won't do. I called Scoche who said the unit should sound almost as good as a clear FM signal. They indicated it's most likely either a poor antennae connection or defective unit.

Now that I'm on my 6th. job behind the dash it has gotten quite easy to get the radio out and almost as easy to squeeze it back. If one of the audio guys around could suggest a good place and/or method for grounding the unit that would be great. Any other feedback (Pun?) on what type of quality I should expect from a wired modulator such as this. I'd describe myself as an avid music enthusiast but not an audiophile. I want good and clear, if I can't hear the difference between the 3 first violins I'm fine with that. If It ends up being worth the labor I'll come back to update my post. It will be nice to maintain the factor stereo but also access my music list.

[human]

I picked up an Eiger Vision F120 wired FM modulator off of eBay back in December brand new for a whopping $10 including shipping. I already had a JVC 12-disc CD changer in the car. I bought this unit in 2000 and have had it in four of the last five cars I've owned. It also uses an FM modulator, so it was real easy to add the Eiger Vison unit as the antenna adapters were already in place. Installation literally took me about five minutes. The sound quality is acceptable. There's a small amount of RF carrier noise, slightly more than the CD changer, but it's real easy to minimize by knocking down the highest frequency fader on the graphic EQ. All in all, it's waaaaay better sound quality than a cassette adapter. The iPod connects to the modulator via an audio cable plugged into the headphone jack. The volume is fine and there's no noticeable distortion as long as I don't turn the volume on the iPod more than about 3/4 of the way up.

The only problem I encountered is that the unit didn't come with a power switch. Because it was always on, it noticeably degraded over-the-air FM reception. The fix was very easy. I found a little black push-button switch and mounted it in the dash fascia, just below the head unit. It's unobtrusive and FM reception is just fine with the modulator off. Turning the modulator on is just a matter of pushing the power button and pressing the appropriate station preset on the head unit.

[repinS]

Wow old thread! Didn't even notice until I saw my own post

I'm splitting this into a new one. In the future, please start a new thread for information of this nature.

[jonnevilleSSEi]

I have no graphic EQ, and bumping down the treble means sacrificing sound quality so I'd prefer not to do that. Still, any pro suggestions on the best grounding method? Is that the black ground wire from the wire cradle or would I do better to attach or even solder it to frame (if there is anything nearby?)

Good to know I'm on the right track though (towards a decent quality play the iPod in the car solution). Also, I don't think the rules are clear on when to enhance and modernize an existing thread or begin a new one. I'll do my best to post appropriately.

[00Beast]

If the thread is your own, you can do what you want. If it's someone else's and more than a few months old, unless you have a very good reason to post, it's best to start a new thread and link to the old one you took info and advice from.

[sonoma_zr2]

If you want to grab a common ground point, run a wire down to the ground buss at either or both floor locations at the front of each front door. This will also allow you to inspect and clean both locations.

[human]

If one of the audio guys around could suggest a good place and/or method for grounding the unit that would be great.

My method of grounding audio accessories is to securely attach the grounding wire of the accessory in question under one of the screws that holds the bracket in place at the front of the head unit. Doing this grounds the accessory to the chassis of the radio, which is in turn grounded to the chassis of the car by some factory devised method. I've done it on several cars without any problems at all.

[jonnevilleSSEi]

That ground buss location looks pretty easy to access. Won't know for sure until my "next" (sigh) go at it. The tech guys at Crutchfield "scolded" me for my amateur connections (sorry, just some electrical tape, always worked for me in the past and easy to remove). They advised that the problem (low volume and HORRID quality) could very well be just a poorly wired connection. SO, old man here whipped out the soldering iron and made sure the connection to both the (apparent) ground and power line were SOLID.

Volume is still not there and sound quality still stinks. SO they (Crutchfield) are sending a replacement, no hassle, no fuss. They have been as helpful as possible, obviously as I'm learning about this wiring it made sense to eliminate the potential wiring issues etc. before they ship a replacement. I already printed out my return UPS label for the bad one. I'm feeling confident that the new unit will probably immediately sound 100% better. I will let others know. Been a hell of a job though and for something I can easily see being 15 minutes once you know how to do it. Learning is a bitch!

Meanwhile a couple things I've learned. If your goal is to listen to an iPod or MP3 player through a factory stereo and you want a clean solution:

1. Theftlock. All these GM radios have it. If you're doing this type of installation, know what it is and if yours is set. If it is, solve that problem before disconnecting power. Understand also that any work requiring the battery or radio get disconnected will disable your radio. Be prepared becuase it's also impossible to test your components once installed if the stereo is locked.

2. I have another article on here about removing the stereo and dashboard fascia with photos. Have a look, you'll know exactly what to expect. viewtopic.php?f=13&t=22632 near the bottom of page there are images of the dashboard dis-assembly.

3. I determined that once I flipped the radio upside down (there is only one way to get into that position) all of the wiring becomes more accessible. The following shows it, also I found I was able to balance it on the shift lever fairly well.


4. If you do need to disconnect the electrical I found that using a driver in this position helped loosen the connector from the rear of the unit. I was sitting in the passenger seat when I did this. People have told me to just yank it out but being a "noob" I'm nervous about yanking cables and destroying things. It has that paddle style clip which I think I recall needing to press down but it didn't have strong feedback. I think it needed to be pressed down to remove the clip but I'm only semi-certain. I know that even when it was pressed but I was only using my hands, I was not able to remove the clip. Once I added leverage from the driver it was smooth.


5. Here's the installation parts. Includes the plastic housing for the switch and jack, the metal box (the part I currently think is my problem) and two antennae connectors. One from antennae to box, the other from box to radio. (gm > universal in) (universal out > gm in)


I suspect that once I get the replacement that I can time myself and probably have this in quickly. Now of course I'll have to unsolder the wires to remove them so first I'll make sure it's not the switch pack. That would be great, just two patch cables and a clip connector. And of course the bottom line to remember, any job you undertake, unless you've done it loads of times (and even sometimes when you have) will take at least 3x the amount of time you think it will. And keep that in mind when you hire people for "simple jobs" there normally is no such thing.

Oh, and thanks for your help, and Beast - thank you for explaining the netiquette. I wouldn't have had the confidence to take on removing a dashboard and getting invoved in all of this without the Pontiac Bonneville Club. I know this, when I AM listening to my iPod through my factory Delco Bose, there will be no sweeter sound in the universe. The music will have that added dimension and I will (internally of course) gloat endlessly about how great it is to have the new tech without that after market look (not there is anything wrong with it but what about the signature Pontiac red glow? That's what I'm talking about!! I think we can all relate to love of the red orange glow. Who's with me on the Red Orange Glow? Boy, I can't wait to play my iPod in my Bonny...

[jonnevilleSSEi]

OMG this was a travesty. It's not really any single parties fault, sort of a perfect "murphy's law" storm almost right to the end. Took me 5x to get the iPod sounding decent through the car radio but it's there. I wouldn't call it "Hi Fi" and since it's going through a Bose it "could" definitely sound better, but at least it's listenable now. So... for anyone paying attention. Here is the list by installation#


1. Locked the stereo, by GM theftlock, didn't know yet how to reset it. Coud not test unit.
2. After finding directions on unlocking the theftlock it was all "static", needed to firm the antennae connections.
3. Unit still not working so I rewired it and but still scratchy, called crutchfield, they insisted I solder or crimp the connections to be certain. So I did.
4. Even soldered connections, still VERY low volume and lots of static and HORRIBLE sound, called crutchfield for replacement.
5. Almost gave up again this time when I blew a fuse (not in mind, but in the car!) but luck had someone nearby with a 10 amp mini so I continued and got it all setup and plugged in and finally VOILA!

Stock OEM stereo, iPod plugs in, sound quality could be better, but beats listening to stations I'm not enjoying or commercials and let's me get myself sick to death of whatever song I want to play often enough to get sick of. (and keeps that Red/Orange glow!)

If I knew then what I know now AND if the first unit had NOT been defective, I think this would have been a 45 minute job the first time through including some learning. Bet I could install one now in a similar vehicle in 20 minutes. I may (at some time in the near future) see if I can do anything to clean up the sound a little more as it picks up relatively minor background static (obvious if you're playing something loudly which has some quiet spots in it.) But I'm done with that for a bit. I'm not even going to bother with those radio button caps for a bit. For now, I'm just happy to be ROCKIN in my Bonne!

Thank you again to all who inspired or helped.

[jonnevilleSSEi]

Hope I'm not boring anyone with this but I felt like maybe I should show how it looks. Now if I really wanted to get crazy I could mount the switch in a hidden spot (kind of ugly rocker) and find a nice discreet location on the dash for the jack. Meanwhile this isn't too bad. I intend to black out the upside down text and the adhesive tape mounting isn't securing it but I think I should have used an alcohol wipe on the console to assure there was no protectant residue on it.

Oh and re: sound quality. If your original recording is real good, it sounds real good. Was listening to Fat Boy Slim today and WOW! (you know he rocks) If it's a sloppy live recording or poor quality MP3, this can magnify the fuzziness. Volume overall appears to be about 90% of the Radio which is enough, be nice if it had a bit more ooomph but my "hearing" frankly doesn't need it. (What was that you said??)



FM iPod modulator...

[human]

I like that. Very unobtrusive.

[Djkthegame]

hey i got a wireless FM transmitter for my Ipod at walmart of $15 bucks, and it works in both cars with out any extra wiring. It runs on 2 AAA batteries.

[jonnevilleSSEi]

I had a bad experience with one of those (the quality wasn't good) and read many others reports of similar bad reception even through better brands. If you have a brand that works well, please share it. I'd love to get one. Even if it means I have to go to Wal-Mart.) The built in mod. above is nice because it's semi hard-wired which is likely to give more clearer sound and doesn't need batteries. What you're describing would be great too as long as the quality is worth listening to.

[00Beast]

I have never had good luck with those FM Transmitters. Always staticky, etc.

[jonnevilleSSEi]

I have never had good luck with those FM Transmitters. Always staticky, etc.

I'd heard that before from several places so I decided I wouldn't even bother going that route again. Also different people have very different ideas of "good enough" when it comes to audio. If a "0" means almost deaf and a 10 is a hyper audiophile then I'd rate myself a 7.5 ~ 8. The scosche solution is good enough but this weekend I had a rental (New Buick Lucerne Land Yacht) with a factory audio jack and the difference is obvious to me. Still the Modulator works well enough, (gets the head nodding to the beat) oh, and did I mention the red orang... oh, yeah I did.