Line input to stock stereo.

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RJolly87
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Line input to stock stereo.

Post by RJolly87 »

Yes, it is another one of those. I am hoping to tackle this project before having to take a trip in the middle of next month. I will be using this stock stereo:

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Reason I want to do this, is because the cassette player does not work anyway, so I cant even use a cassette adapter. I hope to use the DNR button as the trigger to switch the radio to cassette mode, effectively serving at the input selector. I won't need the relays I have seen others use, as I plan on doing this at the expense of the cassette player. I am not afraid of cracking open the radio, but I don't want to do it blindly either. I was hoping for some direction on how to proceed, also I was looking for any other information from those that have done it.

The other possibility is fixing the cassette player so that I can use the cassette adapter. What happens now is that when I stick the adapter in, I only get sound on one side. I can flip the adapter over, the deck will reverse, and I now have sound on the other side.

I would prefer to have the line input, but if it is going to be a horrific and retarded process, I would also be satisfied with the latter of the options.
~Randall~
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Re: Line input to stock stereo.

Post by lewis26 »

Why not just disconnect the audio outputs from the tape player and use those as a line in. Put a endless tape in, and it will switch inputs, but the audio will come from your ipod or something.

It would be much easier than modifying the buttons and such.
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Re: Line input to stock stereo.

Post by RJolly87 »

I think that would be the biggest part of the battle, determining where the inputs are for the cassette. After that, the rest is just a cakewalk. It would just be a matter of disconnecting the DNR button, and hooking that up so that it will act as the trigger that would normally trip as you put a cassette in.

Interestingly enough, I was looking on the interwebs and found a replacement deck for my car for under $20. That may be worth it, as it would get the cassette player working for the trip, and then I would have an extra radio to mess with. Win on both fronts.
~Randall~
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Re: Line input to stock stereo.

Post by WeeBey »

RJolly87 wrote:Interestingly enough, I was looking on the interwebs and found a replacement deck for my car for under $20. That may be worth it, as it would get the cassette player working for the trip, and then I would have an extra radio to mess with. Win on both fronts.
Or you could send me 10.00 and I will send you the one I have here. :wink:
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Re: Line input to stock stereo.

Post by haro1225 »

RJolly87 wrote: What happens now is that when I stick the adapter in, I only get sound on one side. I can flip the adapter over, the deck will reverse, and I now have sound on the other side.
Do you have another adapter, or possibly a cassette you could test in there? It almost sounds like the adapter is bad, being that it only plays on one side or the other?
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Re: Line input to stock stereo.

Post by RJolly87 »

The cassettes are even worse. I have tried multiple adapters, and there was one time I was able to fiddle with it enough it actually played on both sides like it should have. Probably an alignment issue.

And as far as the the offer of the stereo, it seems like the styles changed in 95, is yours pre 95, or no?
~Randall~
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Re: Line input to stock stereo.

Post by harofreak00 »

I haven't been inside that radio, but if its like most, your plan is not going to work. The way you are saying "disconnecting the DNR button, and hook that up" kinda implies that you will just "snip the wires", but that buttons probably controls a switch that is soldered to the circuit board. Not an easy fix.

I think you should do what lewis26 recommended.
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Re: Line input to stock stereo.

Post by RJolly87 »

Valid point on the circuit board, I wasn't thinking of that for some reason. Now that I think of it, payday is Tuesday, I will probably end up just replacing the radio, problem solved until I decide to upgrade.
~Randall~
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Re: Line input to stock stereo.

Post by YoMike »

Im not sure how much you have to spend and why you even want to keep the cassette player? But you can get a decent CD player upgrade from Wal Mart for around 90 bucks. I bought mine from Crutchfield.com but Wal Mart has less expensive ones if your on a budget.
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Re: Line input to stock stereo.

Post by RJolly87 »

Unit off ebay is going to run under $20. I prefer to preserve the stock appearance so that nobody has any excuse to break into it. Not to mention the stock stereo rarely falls short of my needs.
~Randall~
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Re: Line input to stock stereo.

Post by WeeBey »

I checked and I have two here that would work in that car. One looks like the one you currently have and the other has eq controls on it, both work. When I get home I will post pics for you.

After looking through the factory HUs I have the only one that would work in your car is the same as the HU you currenty have, but it works just fine.
Last edited by WeeBey on Tue Jun 22, 2010 3:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Line input to stock stereo.

Post by aCiD »

Did you read my PDF on this? Should have everything you need to know, albeit slightly different, all the info you'll need should be in there.
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Re: Line input to stock stereo.

Post by aCiD »

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Re: Line input to stock stereo.

Post by RJolly87 »

The project was aborted. I am not taking this car on the trip after all, and a friend of mine is going to give me his old stereo. Problem solved on both counts and case closed.
~Randall~
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1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
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