HOW TO: AUXmod for free!

[Cab0oze]

I was just reading a post asking about how to hook up an AUX cable to the stock HU, and I don't think that anyone has posted it here:

How to hook up an aux cable to your 1st gen (2004-2006) OEM headunit for free.

=[Source - Ottawa Mazda]=

Tools & Parts
* Philllips screwdriver
* Audio cable for CD-ROM out of a old computer (See below for more details)
* An AUX cable that you don't mind cutting up. If you have one with a female end, that could be even better.
* Heatshrink or electrical tape. Something to connect small wires together such as a butt connector would be helpful.


Pre-install:
a) Disconnect battery, note your presets on your radio
b) Remove the decoration panel - pull the the decoration panel outward and detach the clips A and tab B in the order shown in the figure.
http://torontomazda3.ca/forum/howto_images/AUXmod/Radio1.png
c) Remove:
1. Screw
2. Connector
3. Antenna feeder
4. Head Unit - Pull outward
http://torontomazda3.ca/forum/howto_images/AUXmod/Radio2.png

Detach clips A, B and C and remove the upper panel.
http://torontomazda3.ca/forum/howto_images/AUXmod/Console1.png

Detach clips D, E and F and remove the boot panel.
http://torontomazda3.ca/forum/howto_images/AUXmod/Console2.png

Remove screws A.
Detach clips G.
Disconnect the cigarette lighter connector and seat warmer switch connectors. Remove the ashtray illumination, then remove the ashtray panel.
http://torontomazda3.ca/forum/howto_images/AUXmod/Console3.png

The actual mod

1) First you will need a Audio cable for CD-ROM out of a old computer.
http://torontomazda3.ca/forum/howto_images/AUXmod/4pincdaudio.jpg

2) Cut the connector in half and make sure the pins on one end of the connector are as follows: Empty - Black - White- Red (See below... re-pin if necessary)
http://torontomazda3.ca/forum/howto_images/AUXmod/2l8gh8g.jpg


3) THEN on the other end de-pin the connector and take two wires with connectors and connect them up together ( you can also use some shrink tube to make it nice) and then connect pin 1 and pin 13 together:
http://torontomazda3.ca/forum/howto_images/AUXmod/2b5suh.jpg
http://torontomazda3.ca/forum/howto_images/AUXmod/2zfizwi.jpg


4) Then for the easy part... grab one of your random 3.5 mm Jack cables and cut it! give your self at least 4 ft if you need to strip alot!!

5) Now connect the different wires from the aux cable to the appropriate wires from the connector that you wired in step 2. Use shrink tube (or electric tape) like this
http://torontomazda3.ca/forum/howto_images/AUXmod/s3cwed.jpg


6) Now its time to plug it to the pins 3,5 and 7 ( 3 is right audio, 5 is Left audio and 7 is signal ) refer to the pictures 4 with the location of pins.

It should look like this now:
http://torontomazda3.ca/forum/howto_images/AUXmod/5mbznn.jpg


7)Route your wire wherever you like, i decided to drill a hole in my ash tray and pass my wire trough there
http://torontomazda3.ca/forum/howto_images/AUXmod/64l55w.jpg
http://torontomazda3.ca/forum/howto_images/AUXmod/11caz2u.jpg


8) And then before assembling everything together.. make sure it works and you don't have loose connections....

PRESS media. AUX will show up; plug in your media player( iPhone, iPod, mp2... etc) and play your music

======================================
Enjoy :D

[S.F.W.]

great tip - thread stuck.

[cwp_sedan]

:thumbsup

[Default User]

Can TM3 host these pics so that it doesn't get lost if the original source changes anything?

[cwp_sedan]

Can TM3 host these pics so that it doesn't get lost if the original source changes anything?

Actually I've been archiving a lot of How-to's lately with images and all. I have backups of some.

Maybe we should put together a master list to back up? Maybe make another thread for it.

[Cab0oze]

I've PDF'ed every how-to i've ever used, and most of them are stored on my server. May help out somehow.

On a sidenote, after re-reading the instructions above i realized it was not well written. I reworded some stuff to hopefully make it more clear.

-edit-
Sorry for the size of the pictures, they're not my own - just reposting to help people.

Also, using a female connector for the splice rather than a male one makes the installation a bit cleaner!
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy66/ianmack1_photos/IMG_2072.jpg

[Default User]

Actually I've been archiving a lot of How-to's lately with images and all. I have backups of some.

Maybe we should put together a master list to back up? Maybe make another thread for it.

That sounds like a moderators job....way above my....interests LOL

[Lactose]

That sounds like a moderators job....way above my....interests LOL

I was actually thinking of doing this for myself from different sites and such. Maybe its the way I search but I find searching for stuff on this forum really hard, especially when you use something like "HID Ballast Mounting" in one go, brings a lot of results hard to filter through them all.

Also shouldnt this be in the Guide section ;]

[zoomahh]

Great idea for the first gens, nice clear pics, n easy to follow ;)
Nice job dude :super smiley

[McGoldie]

wish I seen this before paying to have an aftermarket aux installed in my car :(

[lcianf01]

So happy i found this thread. I have an old computer. Just gotta find a aux cable now. I hope it works i will update when i finish

[Default User]

I would pay somebody $10 ($20 if it's soldered and shrink wrapped) to make this for me. I don't have an old computer to break apart. I do have an old set of headphones that have the 3.5mm jack though :)

Somebody PLEASE?

[threi]

doesnt work in my 05. triple checked all the connections, AUX doesn't show up at all when i press Tape/MD (or SAT)

[Default User]

Are you holding the button down for a few seconds?

[Default User]

So happy i found this thread. I have an old computer. Just gotta find a aux cable now. I hope it works i will update when i finish

Use the cable off an old pair of headphones

[lcianf01]

I have an 05 to and this was what i thinking. As my radio doesn't have a media button. Maybe this won't work in my car.

[threi]

Are you holding the button down for a few seconds?

Yeah i tried that, it doesn't work. Nothing switches. Also tried changing in the steering wheel control as well.

[lcianf01]

After thinking more. It must work in my car. Otherwise the GTA car kits wouldn't work in my model car. Maybe it's a different pin that you gotta connect to. Also i've never cut open a AUX cable but if it's the same as headphone wouldn't it only have two wires inside. So where would you get the third wire to complete the black white and red?

-Leo

[Default User]

Check the user manual - maybe its SAT that you press / hold down

[threi]

I tried SAT, it didn't work either.


After thinking more. It must work in my car. Otherwise the GTA car kits wouldn't work in my model car. Maybe it's a different pin that you gotta connect to. Also i've never cut open a AUX cable but if it's the same as headphone wouldn't it only have two wires inside. So where would you get the third wire to complete the black white and red?

-Leo

Headphones are 3 inputs (4 wires).

Left/Ground and Right/Ground is how they are typically wired. Ground being the same thing means that there are 3 inputs.

[Cab0oze]

Hmm a lot of people have confirmed this to work.... but after doing a lot of research nobody could confirm that this works on 2004s with the tape/md button. I sold my 04 so I cant help =/

[threi]

Yeah reading up on it, it seems to be an 06+ mod. The only other option is AUXmod i guess, or a FM modulator.

[Cab0oze]

Yeah reading up on it, it seems to be an 06+ mod. The only other option is AUXmod i guess, or a FM modulator.
There are quite a few people reporting on M3Q it worked on their 05's.

[Kingy]

I believe for anything to work on the Tape/MD button the radio needs to be tricked into thinking there is a Tape or Media Disk being played. This is what the AuxMod does. Same way the blank CD trick works. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[Ogata]

Do you retain the steering wheel controls like switching the track when you plug anything into AUX?

[Cab0oze]

Do you retain the steering wheel controls like switching the track when you plug anything into AUX?

No, you're just hooking a headphone jack to your car essentially and using your car speakers as the 'headphones'. As far as I know there may be a few expensive products (well over 100$?) that *may* let you do that via adding a USB connection.... but I'm not sure.

[Default User]

There are quite a few people reporting on M3Q it worked on their 05's.

Source link?

[Cab0oze]

Source link?

Maybe i exaggerated the 'quite a few' but it has been done lol... but it has been done. For example:

Link to M3Q (http://www.mazda3quebec.com/forumsv3/showpost.php?p=227987&postcount=63)

J'ai juste faite des 2005-2006...Mais j'aimerais essayer sur une 2004 pour voir c'est quoi le problem que le monde dise...

Link to thread @ Ottawa Mazda (http://forum.ottawamazda.ca/showthread.php?10860-Free-cheap-MAZDA-3-05-06-aux-input)

Its a really easy looking mod, should be easy enough for people to try out to confirm if it works or not. For electrical stuff, I have noticed that it is typical for one or two people to report something doesn't work (Indy fogs with factory HIDs) and it causes everyone in the continent to believe it isn't possible... when in reality, they both just made mistakes and didnt troubleshoot (this actually did happen).

How many times do you install something yourself, and everything is perfect first time? :P

[cwp_sedan]

This is now the first of many How-Tos that will have the images hosted on TM3 so the images will never break. It will take some time but we are starting to convert things over.

[lcianf01]

Tried to add this to my 05 3

I made the cord. Confirmed continuity between the three wires. Installed in on the pins and tried the tape/md button and got no response. Upon reading this again, perhaps pushing the SAT button will work. I did look thru the manual and didn't see anything about a media button. I was hoping that the md button was for media. instead of mini disk. Although like i said i still have faith.

[stevenma188]

I would pay somebody $10 ($20 if it's soldered and shrink wrapped) to make this for me. I don't have an old computer to break apart. I do have an old set of headphones that have the 3.5mm jack though :)

Somebody PLEASE?

Hey Eric, if you still want one, I can sell you one. Shrink wrapped and everything.

[Default User]

Hey Eric, if you still want one, I can sell you one. Shrink wrapped and everything.

I would...if it worked LOL
but consensus looks like it wont on the 05

Thanks though.
Have you tried this on yours yet?

[stevenma188]

Negative for my car :(

[Cab0oze]

Can someone edit my first post so put a big '?' mark beside the dates? Seems to be hit and miss. Just need to find out why exactly it works on some and not others. Some people got it to work, others didn't =/

[Cab0oze]

Heh so this got bumped on M3F (I'd never seen it before). In theory, it should work on any radio with a CD player, but the instructions may be slightly different. So - for the purpose of having as much information as possible in this thread, here is this option:

[Note, the ipodrx8 site has good pictures, may be helpful]


Jason’s aux audio input to the Mazda stock head unit without soldering

I finished the aux input hack that was discussed earlier with soldering wires to the circuit board of the head unit. http://www.whatsmyip.org/ipodrx8/ and http://mymazda3.patricktam.net/project_aux_input.asp
After finishing soldering I figured out an easy way to connect the wires without soldering. So here is a non-soldering aux input hack. This will be of interest to people who are not comfortable soldering. Follow all the steps in the original hack to get to the circuit board for the audio connector for the cd player.
The non-solder hack
This hack requires a little more disassembly. Unscrew two screws along the side where the audio connector is which holds the main circuit board down and two screws along the side to allow you to remove the small cd connector circuit board from the main circuit board. There is a white connector with 15 pins that pass the signals through to the main circuit board. This connector is what will allow attaching wires to the audio channels. The main board side of the connector has holes to accept the pins from the cd connector circuit board. Small wires can be inserted into the holes for the right, left channel and the sound ground. Reassemble the cd connector circuit board to the main board. The white connector with pins is pressed into the connector with holes and will make contact with the wires in the holes. The wires will stay in place by being sandwiched between the two pieces of the white connector.

Finishing up
It is a good idea to use an ohm meter to make sure you have contact between all contacts before putting everything together and finding out after it is reinstalled that a wire is loose or not connected. Reassemble; don’t forget to screw the circuit board back down before reassembling.
Aux input is wired up!
The wires inserted in to the connector holes need to be small enough to allow the pins to fit along with them in the holes and so the connector closes enough to make contact through the connector. I used stranded 22-gage wire, which could deform around the pins and it worked. I fed these pieces of wire to the bottom of the head unit where I attached the cable cannibalized from a pair of headphones I was not using.

Now you have an aux input for free with no soldering.

Optional variations
The hacks described so far requires a cd of silence to play while using the aux input and it has been mentioned that the audio levels are reduced with both the audio signal from the cd player and aux input running at the same time.
The solution
A switch can be added to disconnect the audio signal from the cd player and connect the audio signal for the aux input resulting in clean audio at normal sound levels that works with any cd not just a silent one.
I came across the hack that was used for an external cd player at the following web page http://www.mattgilbert.net/carstereoauxinput
Since the cd player of the Mazda is integrated into the head unit it didn’t seem possible to apply this hack.
I figured out a way to do it.
Switch audio with an integrated cd player
This hack combines the original soldering hack and the non-soldering hack. One set of audio signals for the cd player will come out at the soldering point. Wires that come from the aux input jack will be the other set of audio that will be at the second position of the switch. Wires inserted into the holes of the white connector between the main board and the cd connector circuit board will serve as the wires that will carry the selected audio signals to the head unit.
Where to create a break in the signal path?
In order for the signal to switch back and forth between the two sources, a break in the original signal path needs to be implemented. I thought about scratching off the trace on the circuit board but I wanted something that could be reversed and non destructive. This lead me back to the white connector with the pins. I bent over the pin associated with the audio signal lines that I wanted to break (L and R, I left signal ground alone) so that the hole in the connector would have a wire and no pin coming out of it, thus bypassing the original signal path. It is reversible by bending the pin back up.
Type of switch
Switching the L and R channels requires a two-position two-pole switch. This hack may also work if only the signal grounds of each source are switch and it would require only a single pole switch. I would like to find a switch that is small and looks nice or possibly a two-position button would look better.
I am still looking for a good place to mount the switch, possibly in the ash try or the switch panel on the drivers left side.

[narcolepticus]

Cool but has this been confirmed to work on an 04? this would be great! either way i may just try this as i am having a shit time trying to find an AUXMod or Grom unit

[aznives3]

wow! was wondering how i could get some aux input in the stock HU. thanks!!

[Cab0oze]

Cool but has this been confirmed to work on an 04? this would be great! either way i may just try this as i am having a shit time trying to find an AUXMod or Grom unit

Seems very hit and miss with the 04, mostly miss though. Wouldn't get your hopes up. Sorry!

[narcolepticus]

Seems very hit and miss with the 04, mostly miss though. Wouldn't get your hopes up. Sorry!

yeah, i guess being first gen a lot of the "'nice to have" features came later .. still, i might try this anyway for shits and giggles, see what happens (if anything) hehe :D

[yuvannr]

Does this mod still work for '05s ?! I keep getting yes and no answers

[stevenma188]

Will only work if you have a "MEDIA" button on your headunit. If it says "MD" it WILL NOT WORK

[TheMAN]

may work with the CD button, as that's how my ipod integration activates, which uses that CD changer port
I DO NOT recommend ghetto wiring your setup like this guy did:
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?64811-0-AUX-Input&p=974087&viewfull=1#post974087
you're asking for trouble!
toasty fried head unit or car fire... you like those? then do that!

[Souls]

Wowwie wow! I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm so doing this! and I have some old CD drives from my old x486. my wife makes fun of me for holding onto old PCs. HA! laugh no more. I'll post in the ICE thread once I get'er done.

Thanks Cab0oze for the thread :D

[jasonpscottcom]

Heh so this got bumped on M3F (I'd never seen it before). In theory, it should work on any radio with a CD player, but the instructions may be slightly different. So - for the purpose of having as much information as possible in this thread, here is this option:

[Note, the ipodrx8 site has good pictures, may be helpful]

Just a heads-up: this tutorial, 2004 Mazda RX8 Aux iPod Integration (http://www.whatsmyip.org/lib/rx8-aux-ipod-input/), posted earlier for piggy-backing onto the stereo PCB-to-CD-changer connector on a 2004 RX8 also works for 2005 Mazda 3 5-Door with CD changer / no nav head unit with "TAPE/MD" button instead of "MEDIA" button.

I just used the info yesterday to wire-up my 3 -- working perfectly. Keep in mind, however, that this is the kind of hack that requires you to burn a CD track of silence (http://www.instructables.com/id/Add-an-auxiliary-MP3Ipod-input-to-your-cars-st/step6/Burn-your-special-Silent-CD/) and keep it on repeat in order to trick the head unit into thinking it's receiving the audio signal from the CD Player / changer.

The stereo unit is nearly identical, so the photos / instructions for disassembling it and finding the pins for the connector are all usable. I think the only thing not included is the removal of the little LCD display mounted to the top of the stereo unit. It should be easy to figure out; just two screws to hold it on the side brackets, one screw for the ground, and a plug into the faceplate. Just ignore the steps for removing and reinstalling the unit from the dash and all; use 3-specific resources for removal / reinstall of the unit in the car.

Also, I haven't tried the non-solder method described in the tutorial, so I can't attest to its effectiveness. I just soldered leads onto the pins on the board because unlike the author of the tutorial, I love to solder ( I know, I'm weird ). This type of soldering requires decent small electronics soldering skills and a decent iron, with a fine tip and preferably adjustable temp ( the pins are literally about the size of the head of a pin and lower temps are needed to prevent damaging the circuit board or accidentally desoldering the connector's pins from the board ). Also, if soldered properly, you shouldn't need the wads of glue or whatever the author of that tutorial pasted over the pins -- covering them up like that is a bad idea because it could make repairing or troubleshooting impossible in the event of a cold solder joint or something that's not immediately obvious.

Time: a couple hours but that was taking my time -- the soldering is a little tricky.
Cost: one scrap shielded RCA cable and $1 for an open circuit 1/8" stereo audio jack.

Anyway, I hope this is useful and good luck if you give it a go! -J

[machda]

So I bought the cd rom wire for $2.00. And re pinned and all that stuff but when I opened up the head phones I got four wires red, green and And 2 copper ones which ones match up to what? I used some really cheap headphones could that be why I got these random color. Then I cut open an aux cable and only two wires in there so I am lost. Can some help please and thank you!

[davmcn]

I tried this on my car, I got it to realize there is an AUX port using the Media button. My only problem right now is soldering the wires (headphones) and the old computer wire together. If anyone would be willing to make one, solder and wrap. I'd be willing to pay for it at this point.

[Cab0oze]

Having made my own aux cable before using headphones wires when i was a kid, and looking at the size of my aux cable now, I'm reasonably sure that the wires of the aux cable are 2x thicker than the headphone wiring. I would recommend going to the dollar store or something and picking up an actual aux cable to use for the splice.... would probably be a lot easier to do, and judging by the size difference the sound quality would probably be better.

[davmcn]

I'll give it a shot, cause this would be fricken awesome.

[davmcn]

I gave it a shot today, the only problem I seem to be having is cutting the wire from the computer in half to remove and re-arrange the pins correctly. If anyone has any tips on how to do that properly that would be awesome. I got it to work on one side audio only, but it does work on my 06 hatchback GT. :D!

[Cab0oze]

Good to hear! :thumbsup

You should be able to depin it with a paperclip... here's a pic of another connector, its probably very similar.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c357/b18a1ed6/depinningcorrected1.jpg

Push the tab, and pull the wire.

[Tric]

This did not work on my 2005 Mazda3 with the Tape/MD button..... looks like auxmod or a head unit from at 2006-2007 from the wreckers!

[Mazda3_2006_uk]

I signed up to the forum just to post thanks for this! ;)

Just tried your procedure as outlined, and it worked like a charm. I have a 2006 Mazda3 S Hatchback (not sure how this correlates to the Canadian models). With the use of one stereo cable, one CD audio cable, a fair amount of electrical tape and the following of your instructions I know have an auxiliary input working on the stock head unit. :)

So, again, many thanks for your excellent guide!

[Cab0oze]

Glad to hear a success story! :)

[orGhatcH]

Heh so this got bumped on M3F (I'd never seen it before). In theory, it should work on any radio with a CD player, but the instructions may be slightly different. So - for the purpose of having as much information as possible in this thread, here is this option:

[Note, the ipodrx8 site has good pictures, may be helpful]

Just confirming that this worked for 2005 with tape/md. :headbang
I followed the diagrams from first post and took out my headunit.
Then, followed the steps from this link:http://www.whatsmyip.org/lib/rx8-aux-ipod-input/?page=7.
Note: start from page 7. Also, this requires soldering into a circuit board.
From the guide, they are selling a track of pure silence; which is needed for the mod to work.
Cause, the mod only works when a track is playing from the cd then the aux input just adds on to the sound.


However, here is a free 5min silent track from another site: http://m.instructables.com/files/orig/F3G/W0WN/F9056PBO/F3GW0WNF9056PBO.mp3
Just right click then save as..

Btw, thanks Cabooze for this write up and the link to the rx8 guide.

[Cab0oze]

That's fantastic to hear that you got it working!!
Maybe we should try to preserve the RX-8 instructions on here, so they don't get lost... Would you be up for the task to transcribe it over?

[orGhatcH]

I will try to do it next wkend.

Quick note tho: the free silent track is 5mins long. Once it goes to the next track or repeats, the music gets cut for like a second then continues. Basically, it will only accept the aux input music when a track from the cd is actually playing.

[Cab0oze]

I will try to do it next wkend.

Quick note tho: the free silent track is 5mins long. Once it goes to the next track or repeats, the music gets cut for like a second then continues. Basically, it will only accept the aux input music when a track from the cd is actually playing.
I was going to say make a 6 hour long blank MP3, but I don't think the old cars had mp3 playback. I forget. Either way, you could at least make an 80 min blank track and fill a whole cd...

[ryanmackk]

This will not work on 2005! It's like the DIY version for aftermarket Aux adaptors which are only 2006+. Try it for fun but it won't work.

[ryanmackk]

Edit: It won't work without the CD trick *

[ryanmackk]

Guys, if you want to record a silent track of whatever length you want, like say 1 hour, for those long car rides, do this: (copy pasted from a different forum)

Use audacity

sudo apt-get install audacity
and make a blank one with whatever track length you want.

open audacity with the command

audacity
click the record button and wait

click the stop button when its the length you want

click file, click export

under the file browser window that pops up click the dropdown menu for filetype and select "Mp3 files"

name your file fooorwhatever.mp3 and click save

all done

[Mdp_89]

Hey guys so I want to try this on my 06. But I don't have and old computer to get the cd-rom cable. Anyone know where I can get one? Or can I use anything else beside the cd-rom cable?

[peterm15]

Active surplus on steels.

There is also a place in Barrie behind Walmart that sells led's and stuff, they should have something.

Otherwise look around town for a computer repair guy and ask him/her for one.

[Mdp_89]

Perfect. Thanks.

[Mdp_89]

Just finished installing this mod in my 06. Works perfectly. So glad I got an aux in my car now. :D

[Cab0oze]

Just finished installing this mod in my 06. Works perfectly. So glad I got an aux in my car now. :D

Awesome :) Glad this helped!

[potep]

Hi, thanks for this great post, installed today in 2005 M3 (1,6d), worked fine when I tried it first, but...
After I finished clean installation (disconnected and connected - soldered two wires again), put everything to it's place, funny things started to happen:
- radio doesn't work,
- display above the radio doesn't work (at all),
- immobiliser doesn't work,
- remote key fob doesn't work,
- central locking doesn't work,
- when I switch the key to (ACC), nothing happens,
- when I swith the key to (ON), all gauges (speed, rpm, temp, fuel) reset themselves (go up and down)...

I've checked installation, everything seems to be fine, fuses are ok (well, they look ok)...

Any Ideas on what could be wrong, please???

[Nikhil Pali]

- when I swith the key to (ON), all gauges (speed, rpm, temp, fuel) reset themselves (go up and down)...


This usually means battery issue. Looks like your battery is completely dead as nothing powers on. Try disconnecting and connecting battery again, if nothing changes, check your battery. Throw it on a quick charge.

[potep]

This usually means battery issue. Looks like your battery is completely dead as nothing powers on. Try disconnecting and connecting battery again, if nothing changes, check your battery. Throw it on a quick charge.

I disconnected the battery for a few minutes (~15, maybe a bit more) and connected again, still the same.
I thought if it's a battery problem, car wouldn't start at all, but it does...

[Cab0oze]

90% sure something is either wired wrong or not connected correctly. What exactly, not entirely sure. Something might be shorting out? Double check that you soldered the right stuff in the right places...

[potep]

Yeah, I will undo the new wiring (on friday) and see what happens.
I'll also check fuseboxes again...
Wires are connected right, and even if they weren't, it's only audio...?

[Cab0oze]

Yeah, I will undo the new wiring (on friday) and see what happens.
I'll also check fuseboxes again...
Wires are connected right, and even if they weren't, it's only audio...?Its only audio unless you shorted out something inside the headunit by jumping the wrong pins and then maybe that could have other effects since it's connected to other stuff?

[potep]

Problem fixed. It was a 15A fuse #31 (located under the hood).
Thank you Cab0oze & Nikhil Pali, I really appreciate your help, and Cab0oze - thanks for this great mod.
For info, mine is EU model, 2005, 1.6d.

[Cab0oze]

Problem fixed. It was a 15A fuse #31 (located under the hood).
Thank you Cab0oze & Nikhil Pali, I really appreciate your help, and Cab0oze - thanks for this great mod.
For info, mine is EU model, 2005, 1.6d.
Glad you got it sorted :)

[Renemo]

I got my 2006 Mazda3 a couple of weeks ago and I just did this. It worked perfectly! Thanks for the tip!!

[Cab0oze]

I got my 2006 Mazda3 a couple of weeks ago and I just did this. It worked perfectly! Thanks for the tip!!
Glad to hear :)

[maddyl]

doesnt work in my 05. triple checked all the connections, AUX doesn't show up at all when i press Tape/MD (or SAT)

The 05 head unit pin out in that particular hole is completely reversed from the 06. Try doing the pin out upside down and flipped.

[WhiterThanChalk]

Has anyone had this work for them on an 04? I have the GT model, not sure if that makes any difference.
Also, if you mess up the soldering doesn't it ruin the unit? Just thinking of the potential of damaging it. However would greatly prefer it to a $100+ cable.

[cwp_sedan]

Has anyone had this work for them on an 04? I have the GT model, not sure if that makes any difference.
Also, if you mess up the soldering doesn't it ruin the unit? Just thinking of the potential of damaging it. However would greatly prefer it to a $100+ cable.


No because you are soldering separate cable/s, you shouldn't be touching the radio with anything.

[Cab0oze]

Doesn't work for the 04 head unit, sorry!
You can damage the hu if you jump the wrong pins and cause a short circuit.

[DOMO]

Bought an 06 3i about a month ago and stumbled on this thread and I got it to work for me. Thank god for this thread cuz I was getting sick of the radio lol

[Cab0oze]

Glad we could help :)

[sveg]

I've been using this mod for a while now it's been great but I decided to try and upgrade it to a wireless bluetooth connection. I've bought a bluetooth module that runs from a 7-30v source this one (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bluetooth-4-0-Audio-Receiver-Board-Wireless-Stereo-Sound-Module-for-Car-Phone-PC-/181718476309?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2a4f43e615). When connecting between ACC+(pin 15) and ground(pin 1) it doesn't work with the radio turned on, but it does when connecting BATT+(pin 16) and ground(pin 1). I've checked the voltage and it's reading 12.53v from both sources. I don't want to connect it to the BATT+ as it's on whilst the key is not turned. can anyone help?

[Cab0oze]

I've been using this mod for a while now it's been great but I decided to try and upgrade it to a wireless bluetooth connection. I've bought a bluetooth module that runs from a 7-30v source this one (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bluetooth-4-0-Audio-Receiver-Board-Wireless-Stereo-Sound-Module-for-Car-Phone-PC-/181718476309?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2a4f43e615). When connecting between ACC+(pin 15) and ground(pin 1) it doesn't work with the radio turned on, but it does when connecting BATT+(pin 16) and ground(pin 1). I've checked the voltage and it's reading 12.53v from both sources. I don't want to connect it to the BATT+ as it's on whilst the key is not turned. can anyone help?If the voltage is reading correctly on both pin 15 and 16, but they give different behaviors while the radio is on, then my first thought is that you must have made a mistake with the wiring, or had a loose connection.

[sveg]

Thank you, the wiring is correct, but maybe I read the voltage incorrectly. I don't think the power is enough to run the module but I don't know much about electronics. I'm going to try to wire a relay to switch the power from the BATT+ on when the ACC+ is on. If I get it working I'll post a how to if anyone is interested

[Cab0oze]

Thank you, the wiring is correct, but maybe I read the voltage incorrectly. I don't think the power is enough to run the module but I don't know much about electronics. I'm going to try to wire a relay to switch the power from the BATT+ on when the ACC+ is on. If I get it working I'll post a how to if anyone is interestedThey're both connected to the same voltage source so it wouldn't be that there isn't enough power... Since you're upping the load on that circuit you could blow a fuse potentially though if the draw was too high.

Maybe you connected it backwards?

[sveg]

Checked it over again, wiring is correct, voltage is the same out of both outputs but only 8mA of current from the ACC+ but 27mA from the BATT+ so I think that means not enough current to power the bluetooth module, and the relay won't trigger from ACC+ either. I think this is a fail! I'm too much of a noob at electronics to figure out a fix.

[Cab0oze]

Yeah ok, well then the relay is your best bet. You good enough with electronics to sort the wiring out? It's pretty straightforward, I can help with that if you need it.

[Foaric]

Just used this guide to make and install an aux cable for a 2006 Mazda 3, it worked perfectly! Thanks!

[Cab0oze]

Awesome, good to hear! :)

[13shane13]

I'm very happy that people are using my DIY that i made on the Ottawa forum, unfortunately our forum www.ottawamazda.ca is no longer working so im glad someone has brought it to a forum that im sure will survive for long time. and will be use by many of you!

Thx CabOoze

[Sebi97]

I have a Canadian Model 2005 Mazda 3 GT 5dr. Will this work? I remember someone saying the pin layout is reversed or something along those lines?

[Cab0oze]

No the easy way won't work if you have a Tape/MD button on your HU like I suspect. However, you can do the more complicated way...:
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?63805-HOW-TO-AUXmod-for-free!&p=1093914&viewfull=1#post1093914

[Rakazaa]

I'm very happy that people are using my DIY that i made on the Ottawa forum, unfortunately our forum www.ottawamazda.ca is no longer working so im glad someone has brought it to a forum that im sure will survive for long time. and will be use by many of you!

Thx CabOoze

HI thanks for the wonderful mod.

I tried and it's working perfectly on my 08 mazda. However, when I tried to hook it up to its charger. The sound dies off and all I could hear is faint statics. Does anyone have any idea on how to get rid of it?

[Cab0oze]

HI thanks for the wonderful mod.

I tried and it's working perfectly on my 08 mazda. However, when I tried to hook it up to its charger. The sound dies off and all I could hear is faint statics. Does anyone have any idea on how to get rid of it?
To ensure it's not the device at fault, try plugging headphones in rather than the aux input while the device charging in the car. If you have the same results, it's the device/charger at fault...

[Rakazaa]

To ensure it's not the device at fault, try plugging headphones in rather than the aux input while the device charging in the car. If you have the same results, it's the device/charger at fault...

Tried your suggestion, found that the grounding cable was touching the metal part of the radio hence causing static sound when connected to a power source. Changed to a brand new Aux cable and everything is good now!

[Cab0oze]

Tried your suggestion, found that the grounding cable was touching the metal part of the radio hence causing static sound when connected to a power source. Changed to a brand new Aux cable and everything is good now!
Good stuff :)