Auxilary jack for Ford Escort with Pioneer head unit

[cable729]

So finally, 5 minutes ago, after days of fiddling and lots of time before researching, I've added a headphone jack to my car. I just played techno rocker in my car from my ipod... nothing more exciting than a project/hack coming to life!

But here's the problem: it's kind of static-y, and it becomes more static-y when I turn the headphone jack in my iphone around (like wiggle it and move it in a circle). Right now I'm using the computer plugs (the ones that you stick on your motherboard for power button and reset button and etc. (see pic)

**broken link removed**

I'm using it to plug into the IP-BUS port on the back of the head unit:

**broken link removed**

I'm attaching the wires by stripping about .5 cm on each and twisting them together, then putting heatwrap around it. I haven't shrunk the heatwrap yet, as its just proof of concept. But it works, I just need to do something differently to get the quality I want.

Another thing I should add: for the aux port I'm using the chord from some headphones, I chopped them off and stripped it a little and then attached it to the other wires via the method described above. The headphones were crap and I think they might have been broken, but I don't think it was a faulty chord.

So what should I do to make it less static-y?

 

[cable729]

Update. I guess I need electrical solder. Can I get that at Ace or something?

Also, what's the difference between a line out and what I'm doing now? I heard line out delivers the best quality.

 

[carbonzit]

Update. I guess I need electrical solder. Can I get that at Ace or something?

Maybe. Be sure NOT to use plumbing solder (i.e., acid core); that stuff'll eat your connections. You want rosin-core solder (something like 60/40). If no real electronics stores available in your area, try Radio Shack (ugh!)--assuming North America here.

Also, what's the difference between a line out and what I'm doing now? I heard line out delivers the best quality.

If those outputs are intended as inputs for other devices (but not speakers), then they're line-level outputs. If they're intended for speakers, then no. For your purposes, line-level is better. I'm not familiar with that device, so I can't say for sure (what is a "head unit", anyway?).

 

[cable729]

(what is a "head unit", anyway?).

Ha, that took me a while to figure out also. It's basically your car stereo, and if you have an aftermarket one (not the original one that came with the car) it is not only the stereo unit up front (which often disconnects) but it goes back about 8 inches. It's hard to explain I guess.

Also, my first tries at this were to reuse the Sirius radio connection that the last car owner had in there. Needless to say, there wasn't any correct jacks or anything. However, there was a 5V jack. So I figured, since the Ipod USB cable uses 5V, I could rig up a connection to a usb so it can charge there also. But that's not relaly necessary, because I rarely charge it anyways.

 

[carbonzit]

So what is the stated function of those "IP-Bus" outputs in your diagram? Did these come from an instruction manual or other "official" source? That should tell you what level they are (speaker or line).

I'm not sure that headphones will actually run from a line output (could be wrong about that), so if you say your headphones work OK with those outputs, they seem like speaker, not line, outs.