Running Wires from Nav to Center Console

[LP81]

I recently purchased the FYI AAI-CHY to add 2 AUX inputs to my Factory Nav So I can plug my iPod into it (sick of my FM Transmitter) God willing it will actually show up today even thoguht it was supposed to show up last Thrusday. I digress.

I was wondering the best route to run the wires from the back of the unit, and into my center console so I can plug in the iPod there. If I can do it with minimal drilling, all the better. All the mods I've done so far are very much Plug and Play, but I suppose I am at the point where I am ready to get drity since it's only a car and it already has plenty of "personality" marks on the outside and inside.

Thanks

[vinny68]

I don't know the answer to your question but I'm planning to do the same thing soon with the iPAC-CHY. I'm just wondering if the AAI-CHY that you bought has some benefit over the iPAC-CHY that is specifically made for the iPod?

[LP81]

Hmmm now I am re-considering what I bought, I like yours better! Only difference is mine is just 2 AV inputs.. I might return mine and get the one you linked to since it says it will charge the iPod as well (I charge mine off the cigarette outlet in the console so this would be a great alternative of only needing 1 plug in versus 2... I just wonder how long the iPod cable they give you is.

[Todd RT]

The iPAC-CHY also lets you control the FF and REW with the steering wheel controls.

If you get the FYI AAI-CHY you can add that IPOD cable that you can set to charge your ipod, you just won't have steering wheel controls.

I didnt' run wires to the console, sorry man.

[LP81]

Luckily I don't have the steering wheel controls anyway. Can I still control it via the main NAV head or purely thru the iPod/iPhone itself if I get the iPAC-CHY?

Separate Note: I have an iPhone as well that I play to mainly use, would the sound of a phone call or different apps come thru the stereo if I use the iPac-CHY or only iPod music? I ask becuase I have the NPR and ClearChannel Apps so I can stream those channels, but I have a feeling they only go thru the main speaker or the headphone jack, not the iPod connector interface.

I have a feeling I will be keeping my FYI AAI-CHY and port it straight out thru the headphone jack.

Edit: I have submitted a ticket to the Pac-Audio.com site asking the above questions just in case no one here knows)

[Ciege]

I installed the AAI-CHY and routed longer cables to the center console. It was quite easy. You need to have access to behind the stereo (needed to plug it in anyway) and then open the center console and remove the 4 bolts in there. Once those are removed you can lift the center console enough to slide you hand through and pass the wires from behind the stereo under the shifter (follow the path of all the other wires) then up and out of the center console from the bottom. I didn’t even have to drill anything. Although you could drill a little bit out of the bottom matt in the console so that it isn't lifted by the cable coming up and out (not a big deal to me since I can’t see that).

[Super T]

THe center console is easy to remove (like 5 minutes easy). Feed the wires through, bolt it all back up.

[GasGunR]

Wow, nice to see you Patrick! Its been a while since you've been on or I've sure been missing your posts!

[LP81]

Thanks Don, I have been gone a loooong time, sorry about that.. you know I still was holding onto that Shift boot I made for you about 2 years ago... My original one I made for myself finally gave out so I swapped it out for yours =) Hopefully I shall become more of a regular and see if I can chime in on anyones posts or just post random stuff myself =)

As for the wiring harness, here is the reply I got from PAC-Audio:

Our device should allow you to listen to any audio coming out of your iPod. I do not exactly how the device will respond in your other mode or while a phone call takes place. It should give you audio out of your other Apps regardless.
I hope this helps

So I figure I am going to return the AAI-CHY and get the iPAC-CHY instead... I will run the wire for both the iPod connector as well as the Audio cables to the center console since it has both connectors on it. That way if I have a particular app that doesn't play thru the iPod connector, I can always plug in the headphone jack =)

Thanks for the info on running the wires. I will wait til the new harness shows up so I cna run both wires at the same time and not have to open it up multiple times. If all goes well, perhaps I'll even take photos so I can submit it to the KB so no one like me has to ask the same question later =)

[Junior]

Hey Patrick!

Yeah, it's pretty easy to remove the whole center console as a unit, and then you have free access to all the room in the world. You could drill a hole anywhere you want in the cubby (like next to the 12v power outlet for instance) and route the wires in there.

Here's an unrelated thread, but it shows how to remove the center console (see post #2):

Paddle Shifter Wiring Harness Install - Step by Step

[LP81]

Thanks for the pics Junior - now quick - Forwards I'm a lot, Backward I'm Not - What am I :-P

[Junior]

hmmmmmm...

[vinny68]

Thanks for the pics Junior - now quick - Forwards I'm a lot, Backward I'm Not - What am I :-P

Do you mean, "Forwards I am heavy, backwards I am not"?

[Junior]

Ha! Ton!

[LP81]

Just so everyone has an update - I finally had the iPAC-CHY show up, and I was able to install it over my lunch break with only a few small hiccups like dropping a screw into the center area that I never found... Oh well.

Sorry, since I did over lunch so i didn't have my camera. Sorry... But I ran both the iPod connector and the Audio cable to the console with plenty of room (iPod cable was 6-8 feet long, CRAZY!)

BTW - I did mean Heavy, but since Junior is so brilliant I decided to screw him up with "a lot" =)