Unfortunately,it looks like that headunit does more than receive a simple AUX on signal from the CD Changer. I had the board schematic for mine and still didn't feel comfortable running power into it until ElectroKen interpreted them for me. He may pipe in with some help here. I don't see what he can do without the schematics though. Maybe Richard Krenn can give ElectroKen schematic info and then Ken can interpret it for you? The service manual only cost me $10 with shipping for mine. Even with duty fees and Canadian difference you shouldn't have to pay more than $20 Cnd for it. Call Pacific Parts with your Model number. If you screw around and juice the wrong wire it will cost you more than $20 Cnd to fix it.

Maybe I'll see if Richard Krenn can pass along the info to me. I know it's only $20, but like you I am trying to do this as cheap as I can. I have already bought a whole bunch of parts for my mp3car that I've had to throw away cause they didn't work as expected and when you buy everything from the US, it tends to add up to quite a bit.

So if Richard Krenn could help me out by either describing the schematics or sending me scans of them it would be GREATLY appreciated. If he isn't able to help, then I may just wait a year or so and buy a new head unit.

I wish there were a Pathfinder forum as active as this one, this forum alone makes me wish I had bought a Xterra instead of the Finder. Keep up the great work everyone!

Xterrian..... 5 Xterras for you man. Thanks for your replys and help. Hopefully I can work all this out.

Don't give up! I've spent many many hours installing my computer and even though it still looks like Fred Flinstone did the install, it's all worth it when that first sweet MP3 plays over your speakers. Just knowing that I will eventually have all of my family's music available at the click of a mouse makes all the skinned knuckles and racked brains worthwhile. Now if I could just find some gooseneck tubing strong enough to hold up my LCD and a 26" long IDE cable.

I've been watching this thread to see where it was going.
I haven't seen a schematic for the 2000 SE Panasonic head unit but the signal names shown earlier in this thread make me a bit wary. The names of the pins with TX and RX in them imply serial communication between the head unit and the CD changer.
If that is the case it will be very difficult to interface other equipment to the head unit.

Yeah, I thought that pin-out looked suspiciously like a data port. Too bad. If you want to spend a whole bunch of time and effort and you are installing a computer, you could have your parallel port talk to it, if you can figure out what langage it speaks.

Yeah that sucks. I wish it were the simpler DIN connector. And Xterran, I know it is a long haul building these things, I've been making these systems for cars for over 4 years now. Just that this is a new vehicle that I spent $42000 on and I don't really want to spend another $500 more to get a head unit with RCA AUX in. I have been running my current system for a couple years, but with crappy old FM Modulation, in both this Pathfinder and my last vehicle a Honda Civic SiR.

The best system I have built to date, still has to be the first one I ever built. It was a DOS box, running a P120 CPU and would boot in like 6 seconds. Too bad it was controlled by a KeyPad and only played MP3s. My current system is a couple years old now, plays MP3s, DVDs, DivXs, games, etc..etc..etc.., but not nearly as nice as come of the new Mirco ATX board systems that are out there, like a friend of mine here in Vancouver has built. You can check his out at http://cobaltcarpc.com/ , we may be looking into producing these things....but would be a lot of work I think.

I have about 5 years or less left in the Army and have been looking into something to do when I get out. I think the car computer is a vast untapped market out there. Before anybody says, " Who would want a computer in their car?" remember that somebody at IBM said, "Who would want a computer in their house?" a while back. I think we have the technology now to build a double or single DIN enclosure with DVD, pop out LCD and wireless networking for less than $800. We just have to get voice control and instant boot working better and it would probably sell like crazy.

Yeah, I agree. Well the colbaltcarpc.com one right now has most of the stuff you mentioned (minus wireless networking) plus a lot more and it is projected to be around $400US. Now there are obvious options and stuff you can add on, but it is definately "doable"

Hey looking at the diagram for the "CN701 12 Pin Connector", the L & R inputs should be no problem, the grounds I take it can be left alone if my input device is already grounded, and there there is the "REQ-SIG In", "Rx-SIG In" and the "Tx-SIG Out"

Well the Rx and Tx are serial input and output connections, which I assume are to control the ch changer via the headunit controls, but what is the "REQ-SIG In" for? Is it for CD changer requesting input, or in other words this tells the headunit to switch the AUX on? If so, then maybe it will work the same way as the 8 pin DIN??

Any thoughts?

It's possible that your interpretation is correct. It's also possible that it's wrong. Without a schematic it is impossible to know for sure. Applying 12V to that pin could reduce your head unit to a very expensive brick.

Of course, it isn't my radio...

What? You don't like expensive bricks?? Hehehe

Anyways, thanks for your help. I'm going to see if I can get the schematics from Richard Krenn...then will let you know what they look like.

Thanks again!

ElectroKen you have a PM

Sweet! Thanks a lot Richard!!!!!!

Don't get too excited too quickly. There is a lot going on in that 30-something paged manual. I'm going to print a few sections on 11 X 17 paper on Monday so I can get a good look at it.
I have a nasty feeling that we're looking at some proprietary bus but we'll hope for the best for now.

Edited for spelling.

Hey EletroKen, that is OK. If we can get something working that would be sweet, but if we figure out that nothing can be done, that is OK as well. I would just hate to go out and buy something and find out I didn't need to, or connect something to it and then destroy it.

Thanks for all your help, both you and Richard have received 5 Xterras! Will be waiting for the results with great anticipation.

This is what I truely love about this site. People that don't even know you, taking time to help a total stranger. This has been a great thread!

I don't want a hug.

How bout some friendly applause??

"Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap"

He clearly asked that no one hug him and you go and give him the clap.

ok.. i just found this thread and it has been making me giddy. i also want to play mp3s in my car. i have a simpler (though less comprehensive) system in mind. i have a portable cd player that plays mp3s. i have been thinking about how to get that stupid thing to play through my car stereo. now i may have it. but first... a few things....

1. i am sitting here at work and cant go out and check but does anyone know the manufacturer/model # for the 2002 stereo that came with the 6 disc changer (standard on se or an add on option)

2. has anyone tried something similar with this stereo?

3. xterrain.. that was a great detailed post on how to convert the headphones to connectors... i would rush right out and do it if it worked the same on mine.

thanks for any help... and will try to post back any info i get off the back of the stereo once i go look at it.

I've spent some time with the schematic for the 2000 SE head unit. Nobody will like this but:

I don't see anyone using the CD changer interface as a MP3 input any time soon. The 3 mysterious signals are indeed serial data and there is no indication of what that data is. The microprocessor appears to be custom and I don't recognize it.

Sorry...

Any thoughts on the Amp/Antenna out?

Richard

Thanks for your help Electroken. It is typical that something I desperately want, I can't have. Well, i guess I will have to start saving up for a new HU with AUX in.

Thanks for your help everyone, this is a great board!