problems with USA Spec interface?

[phillip.]

'm wondering if anyone's had problems with the USA Spec interface. i've got a 1998 4 runner with the facotry radio, CD changer ready so i opted for the USA Spec (DF-TOY) interface.
http://usaspec.com/files/IPODAUX-Application-Guide.pdf

i wanted 2 inputs so i could hardwire both my ipod and my starmate replay. last week, it stopped working. more specifically, i could only access one of the inputs (the starmate). when i tried to access the ipod, then it didn't allow me to select the changer input at all, as if nothing was connected. i brought it back to CC and they replaced everything, then last night it stops working again with the same inability to select the changer as an input. all i did last night was connect the ipod while the starmate was still on. i can't imagine that would fry the interface unit.

 

[mikeb]

I've been having the same problem with my interface. I can re-set it by unplugging the the auxiliary box from the cable. I mounted the box in my glove compartment so it hasn't been a huge problem, buy it's still a pain. I called USA Spec directly. They are going to take a look at it.

 

[phillip.]

is there someone in particular i should contact or should i reference your situation? i went to CC yesterday and suggested to the installer to try the unplug/plug to see if it resets itself and sure enough it worked. though my unit is installed behind the radio, he repositioned it so that i have easier access to the cable to reset it if it ever happens again. needless to say, i don't want to have to do this every time and it shouldn't even freeze up in the first place.

 

[mikeb]

I spoke with a lady named Judy and also one of their engineers, but I did not write down his name. The engineer said that he is seeing some problems with using the the DF-TOY adapter with Sirius Radio. He said the output from the Sirius unit is too high for the Toyota head unit, thus causing the head unit not to recognize an auxiliary source. He suggested trying a ground loop isolator between the Sirius receiver and the USA Spec box. He also emailed me a warranty form to return the adapter, but asked me to try the ground loop isolator first. If the g.l.i. doesn't work I'll send the USA Spec box back to them for evaluation. I will post an update after I install the g.l.i.

 

[phillip.]

thanks for the info. you may have found this out already, but i noticed that when i turn on the starmate before i turn on the radio, it works fine. i'm assuming b/c i guess the interface isn't holding enough juice to let the radio know there's something attached to it. conversely, i turn off the radio with the starmate still on and then turn off the starmate. when i was doing it the other way around, i could frequently mess it up.