iPod BlitzSafe input installed

[RL Lemke]

Re: Saying goodbye to the PIE

I drove to Reno last weekend and had the PIE adapter cut out on me about 20 minutes into the drive on the way there and on the way back. It never seems to last more then about 20 minutes, sometimes only 5 or so. I was not about to pull over so I could turn off the car and get it to work again. Luckily I still had my cds with me.

Has anyone had the same problem with the blitzsafe adapter? Does anyone know if this is an adapter problem or a head unit problem? Has anyone gotten it work flawlessly all the time? Anyhow, I will probably be returning it soon because I simply will not put up with this.

Both the Blitz Safe and the current PIE work without fault for me.

 

[CopperX]

For those of you who have problems..

Do you have the stock radio, JBL single disc or the JBL 6 disc?

 

[ZonaT4R]

Copper.. I have the occasional PIE problem and I have the JBL Single disc setup

 

[jjjheimer]

I wonder if the problem with the PIE adapter is heat related. OEM headunits are known for their use of lower quality components that make run hot.

 

[ZonaT4R]

I wonder if the problem with the PIE adapter is heat related. OEM headunits are known for their use of lower quality components that make run hot.

I'm thinking it is probably not a heat issue in this case. I have no proof, though I say this only because I've run the radio thru PIE for over 2 hours with no problems, then at other times, it shuts down the changer control in about 10 minutes.

 

[GYoter]

For those of you who have problems..

Do you have the stock radio, JBL single disc or the JBL 6 disc?

I have the stock single disc. I am in the middle of buying a scion HU from some guy. I am going to hang onto the PIE until i can try it and hope it works.

 

[spblat]

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeee Happy

PIE arrived.

PIE installed with JBL 6-CD in-dash changer.

PIE working flawlessly so far.

PIE owner very happy. I do not have rear headphones, so I can't confirm that rear audio still works (or if it ever did).

The way it works is as I assumed and hoped. Press the "Disc" button to alternate between the in-dash cd player and the aux input. When it's playing from the PIE, it looks like this (note it says "CD1", not "CD", and please forgive the focus on my crappy cameraphone):

I decided to route the cable to the ashtray, and my Rio Karma sits in the cubby behind the ashtray. This way I have enough free cable to grab the unit and look at what's playing. If I place the Karma on its side, I can flip open the burger tray without mashing anything.

If I do not post to this thread again, it means I am blissfully happy, and the PIE has never failed in any way. Cross your fingers!

 

[bstboy]

Did you install using provided instruction from whoever you bought it from? How long did it take you to install?

Oh and uh.....you gotta little bit a dirt on your shifter

 

[spblat]

The unit came with very basic instructions: "unplug factory radio, plug in this unit, plug old factory plug into supplied socket, plug in aux source." Ah yes, something like this.

No instructions were provided to tear into the dash. I used a doc at http://techinfo.toyota.com, but you can check out this site, which provides excellent instructions and photos. Had I known about it, I would have saved $10 on the official doc.

I had the dash open a few times doing a couple of mods, but if I was to start fresh I'd say it would take about four hours. Two if you're a pro. Tools needed: 10mm socket, nylon pry tool, drill (for routing the cable to the ashtray or wherever else), lots of patience. I found that a 6 foot RCA to stereo 1/8" cable from radio shack was plenty long, and there's ample room back there to route it where you need to go. The best place I found for the PIE itself is tucked to the right of the head unit behind the vent.

Noticed the dirt, eh? Yeah, me too. Just got back from 4 days in the Grand Canyon. It's getting detailed as I type this, thank goodness.

(EDIT: here are the pictures of a clean T4R.)