Author Topic: CD Changer options for Ford Focus '05 (Read 3075 times)

nefcanuck · « **on:** April 14, 2005, 08:58:28 pm »

Subject line says it all folks but here are a few more details.

I'm being driven batty by the fact that I only have one CD available to me at a time, and with my disabilities, changing a CD would require me to pull over to the side of the road. On the other hand I don't want to give up the steering wheel mounted audio controls, barely a week into owning this car and you'll take those controls away from me when I'm stone cold DEAD!

So, I went to Ford first to see about replacing the stock deck with one of the uplevel decks, even the mid range deck with the mp3 capabilities would be okay... the price they quoted me was enough to make the rest of my hair fall out!

Now the Ford deck has a button marked "AUX" and when I press it, it indicates that no AUX is connected. Does this mean theres a relatively simple way to add a CD changer that the stock Ford deck can recognize? I seem to recall that the Focus is pre-wired for a changer in the trunk, which would be ideal for me.

Any comments/suggestions? Can anyone recommend a GOOD car audio shop in the Mississauga area? If I go the changer route I don't want to lose the steering wheel controls

NefCanuck

P.S. I'll see if I can attach a photo of the little beastie too

Little Red Rollerskate

barrie1 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 14, 2005, 09:38:02 pm »

Nefcanuck Thank You for the picture as we are glad to see it. I like that Red as its a very nice colour. I don't know who to send you to in Toronto for the radio but I think it will work out the way you want it. The aux hookup I believe will do what you want it to.

nefcanuck · « **Reply #2 on:** April 14, 2005, 10:24:28 pm »

-nods- as I suspected, the question for now though is whether or not Ford actually attached the connector on the head unit to the wiring going to the trunk, if they did, then the addition is as easy as pie....

If they didn't then they'll have to pull the head unit from the dash and that gives me nightmares, cause right now there isn't a rattle or squeak to be heard from the dashboard and I'd really like to keep it that way if I can

NefCanuck

tpl · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2005, 06:50:32 am »

If I was going to try to do that sort of thing I'd go to Kromer radio ( BAthurst St) ...not convenient for Mississauga tho'.

I did a search on crutchfield.com and I could not find any changers that were an easy fit...but... I did not have time to go further than finding out that there are a zillion combinations that will work for you with adapters.

There are several different bus structures and protocols used to control changers.

Who makes the Ford one?

S60 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 15, 2005, 01:44:18 pm »

Congrats on your new wheels Nef, try this link you might find some relative answers.
http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16630

nefcanuck · « **Reply #5 on:** April 15, 2005, 04:24:45 pm »

S60,

Thanks for the link, unfortunately there is no way I can do the actual install work owing to my disability so I was hopeful of some sort of easy work around (Like the AUX input on the head unit actually being useful) but I guess I couldn't get that lucky. I suppose I could try and take the information to a local installer, but I'm not sure how well my help would be received

Next step is an FM transmitter and an mp3 player I guess, the new Sony one looks promising, only other option is grabbing my ankles while Ford grabs my wallet to install the upgraded dash unit...

NefCanuck

Mdxtasy · « **Reply #6 on:** April 15, 2005, 04:31:01 pm »

You can get the MP3 player to hook into the aux jack out back...saving money on the FM transmitter. There's a wire that allows you to has the headphone output jack with conventional RCA jacks on the other end.

nefcanuck · « **Reply #7 on:** April 15, 2005, 05:00:19 pm »

Mdstaxy,

Where can I get this wire? and can you point me to a diagram of the back of the radio to show me where it goes? (This is the Ford base AM/FM/CD player in the Focus)

NefCanuck

Mdxtasy · « **Reply #8 on:** April 15, 2005, 09:51:17 pm »

You can get this at any electronics shop. I got one to plug the sound from my laptop into my big screen. I went to Future Shop to get it. It is really inexpensive (under $20) so you can save on the FM transmitter module cost. I don't know the specifics of the Ford radio but I'm assuming that if you can see the back of the unit, there should be two RCA jacks (red and white). This will be the Aux input for your vehicle's stereo system. Just take the RCA connectors from this wire and match up the colours. You are then in business. I know you have mentioned you have a disability that might prevent you from getting back there as it will take some flexibility to tuck yourself into the footwell to get access to the back of the deck but once you can see in there, it should be pretty simple.

(Message edited by mdxtasy on April 15, 2005)

nefcanuck · « **Reply #9 on:** April 15, 2005, 10:47:42 pm »

Mdxtasy,

I'll speak to a more flexible friend and see if I can't con them into taking a look down there, though the pics of the rear of the unit over on Focus Fanatics shows nothing resembling RCA connectors.

Update, I bought the Sony FM transmitter... dissapointing is about the nicest word I can give for it, the signal fades even when standing still in the parking lot for crying out loud

NefCanuck
(Wonder if my wallet can take the whack Ford is gonna take to upgrade that stereo

)

Mdxtasy · « **Reply #10 on:** April 15, 2005, 11:34:21 pm »

Sorry. I was assuming the RCA jacks were there. Apparently, it's a 12 pin connector. That will be interesting. Makes it difficult...that's for sure. Can your CD deck also play MP3 files? If so, just burn your CD's onto one disc in the MP3 format. You should be able to get a lot more songs onto one disc.

Let me do some research on it.

(Message edited by mdxtasy on April 15, 2005)

nefcanuck · « **Reply #11 on:** April 15, 2005, 11:39:18 pm »

Mdxtasy,

Thanks, appreciated muchly.

NefCanuck
(Who notes that today was so nice in Mississauga that on his way home from work he cracked open the sunroof fully, damn the sunburn risk to the top of his skull

)

Bullet Blue · « **Reply #12 on:** April 16, 2005, 11:15:19 am »

I have nothing to add really, Just wanted to know what "cape boy" referred to....Cape Breton?

Mdxtasy · « **Reply #13 on:** April 16, 2005, 06:38:12 pm »

I've asked a few audiophile friends and we've all come to a bad conclusion. Unless you have some sort of device that can be used as a go between for the MP3 player and the head unit, you're going to be hard pressed to get it to play through the factory system. The problem lies in the input they provide. I think that type of connector is used so that the steering wheel controls will be able to control which track and disc to play when a CD changer is connected. Do you have a tape deck? If so, there are connectors out there that allow you to plug a device in and play through the tape player. Sounds better than the FM transmitter.

nefcanuck · « **Reply #14 on:** April 16, 2005, 08:12:00 pm »

Mdxtasy,

Rats I was afraid of this, its the 2005 AM/FM/CD unit only... looks like if I want to keep the steering wheel controls its "grab my ankles time"

assuming that the dealer even wants to do this (They didn't seem overly eager for whatever reason)

Bullit_blue

The license plates refer back to another hobby of mine, Japanese animation. One particular year I dressed as the character Tuxedo Mask from Sailor Moon, who in English was insulted by one particular character with the term "Cape Boy" and what can I say, it stuck with me

NefCanuck

Mdxtasy · « **Reply #15 on:** April 16, 2005, 09:46:37 pm »

If you can grab your ankles....you're more flexible than you've led on. :-)

The alternative is to get an aftermarket CD/MP3 unit with a remote control. There's lots out there that will be better quality than the Ford units. I'd check into that before going to to the dealer to show them your flexibility. :-)

nefcanuck · « **Reply #16 on:** April 16, 2005, 10:39:46 pm »

Mdxtasy,

I understood that there was already wiring going to the trunk in the Focus for the attachment of just such a beast, at least in terms of the power.

Any truth to that or is it just a nasty rumour (I really cringe at the thought of what some of the local places might try in order to get such a unit to work

NefCanuck

initial_D · « **Reply #17 on:** April 17, 2005, 02:28:07 pm »

The easiest and most economical way to add a CD changer is to get a brand name MP3 CD changer with build-in RF modulator, this technology has been around for over 18 years and it is proven.

For around $220 or so, you can get a JVC or Sony. The JVC model below is a 12 Disk MP3 changer, comes with wireless remote. It co-exist with the system in the car, it installation is very basic. 4 wires, 1) power 2)remote on 3)ground 4)remote control. Even the guys at Future Shop couldn’t screw this up that bad.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10025579&catid=10080&logon=&langid=EN&dept=9#

jvc

nefcanuck · « **Reply #18 on:** April 17, 2005, 10:46:42 pm »

Initial D,

I note that the description says that the remote is wireless, so do that mean other than the remote which if its small enough I can shove into the Focus central storage space nothing has to be brought into the car itself?

That would be idea because unlike my old car there really isn't anywhere I could have them put the CD changer controller that doesn't scream "STEAL ME" in 6ft tall lettering, cause unlike my old wheels, these ones might actually intrigue a car thief somewhat

NefCanuck

initial_D · « **Reply #19 on:** April 17, 2005, 11:33:24 pm »

The remote controller is about the 1/2 size of a cd case, it should be able to hid in any place.