Finally , AUX input for my ipod ! (Clarion unit)

gonza123 · 01-11-2008, 05:04 PM

Hi all,

I'm from Argentina, I got a new swift for myself as soon as they started selling them here last year.
Just registered to say thanks to the forum, finally I could get my AUX input for my ipod !!

Ive seen that in the UK apparently they come with Panasonic radios, but in Argentina (as well as in many other countries) it seems it comes with Clarion units. Mine has a Clarion, and it was impossible to find out anywhere if I could somehow get an adapter for an AUX input.

Well , it was actually much better than that. Thanks to this forum, I learned that the Grand Vitara Clarion units (not the same model as the one in my swift, but Clarion anyway) have a proprietary connector in the back, where you can connect a resistor, and obtain an AUX input.

See this post
http://www.suzuki-forums.com/2g-2006...x-input-6.html

I decided to investigate if my Swift's Clarion is the same, and yes it is !!!

Even though the head unit model number is not the same, it has the same connector. If you look at the back of the stereo on its left side you will see it. You just need to put your head under the dash and the steering wheel, just above the pedals, and look up.

(you guys in the UK will maybe have to remove the glove compartment cover to look on the left side, But then again I think your swifts don't have clarions, right ?)

So I just built 2 small 4-pin connectors (using pin connectors for computer motherboards) , soldered the 1.5 kohm resistor, and it worked !! Just follow the instructions and pinout on the Grand Viatara post.

To physically connect the connector, i did not even have to remove the radio. I tried to access it from below the steering wheel but it was impossible. You can see, but you can't touch :-)
So I removed the glove compartment cover to access the stereo from the other side, and I could reach the connector with my extended arm. The difficult part was that I had to connect it without seeing, only feeling by touch. But after a few tries I managed to do it. It should be much easier if you have the glove compartment on the left.

So, I just wanted to confirm for everybody with Swift and Clarion units, problem solved !!

Thanks to the guys with the Grand Vitaras for figuring out the hack.

Gonzalo

Griff · 01-11-2008, 06:10 PM

Wow! Nice work Gonzalo!

You've probably just saved a lot of people from having to buy overpriced pre-made cables

gonza123 · 01-11-2008, 06:36 PM

THanks Griff, yes , absolutely.
Cant get why people pay 30 pounds for a cable with a resistor...

First thing I found was your page btw :-) , which prompted me to look in my Swift
Thanks for the hack, credit is all yours.

Gonza

funksoulbro84 · 01-13-2008, 04:29 AM

I have an Australian 2006 model Suzuki Swift with a Clarion PS-2657 (or 8/9/60) version headunit.

I have tried looking around behind the dash but there is no extra connector at all. Also, there is no "Aux" label on the CD button. I would love to be proven wrong, but I don't believe you can make up a normal 3.5mm line in jack to this headunit.

My only option appears to be the Clarion EA1251. The thought of having to use a CD Changer like interface to navigate thousands of songs makes me scared.

Can anyone please help?

gonza123 · 01-13-2008, 09:18 PM

Hi funksoulbro84

We have the same car and same head unit, my manual says Clarion 2657/59.
If you stick your head in the more you can , right over the pedals and look up with a flashlight, you will see 2 conectors. One square black connectors with many pins, thats the Clarion CeNet connector for the CD changer. Right beside it there is the white connector with 8 pins that you need to use.

This is how they look like, from the Grand vitara original poster
http://onglipo.com/gv/3.JPG

Also, mine does not have the AUX label on the CD button , either. But it works all the same.

If you cant see it, remove the radio, its there.

Gonza

EDIT:
Oh if you are from Australia then I guess you have the steering wheel on the right. I dont think you will be able to see it. Remove the glove compartment cover and take a look from the left. A small mirror will help

funksoulbro84 · 01-13-2008, 11:13 PM

Thanks Gonza I really appreciate your help! If you headunit is the same model surely mine is the same as yours

I already took out the glovebox but tonight I will take out the whole headunit and find this damn connector!

Thanks again for your comments

I will post back later tonight with my findings.

LonePhantom · 01-15-2008, 08:00 PM

If you have a Clarion equipped Swift, they have the CeNet port that Clarion have added to all their head units since sometime around 2001 I believe. You can just go and buy a Clarion CeNet iPod converter that is simple to plug in and hide in your dash. It means that you can operate the iPod directly from the head unit. Works great.

funksoulbro84 · 01-15-2008, 08:43 PM

Hi LonePhantom,

It would be good to use the steering wheel mounted controls to change tracks, but I don't like not being able to quickly go to a song or album. The CeNet ipod interface simulates a CD changer and thus is really very difficult to use. Unless your ipod only have 6 CD's on it

gonza123 · 01-16-2008, 06:31 AM

Agree with funk. Ipod user interface is great. Its really difficult to use with the steering wheel controls. Also, based on what I read, I think control is limited to playlists , which I dont use.

So funk, did you find the connector ?

Gonza

funksoulbro84 · 01-19-2008, 01:08 AM

Hi Gonz,

Sorry for the delayed response, I have been busy with work. I still cannot find the plug

I have attached some photos of the back of the unit. Was your connector next to the CeNet plug on the back of the headunit like in the screenshot posted earlier? or was it on an external connector?

Thank you so much for your help. This is driving me mad