innertwist

iTrader: (3)

This turned out to be far easier than I was expecting, but before I get to that, I'm going to give a little background research information. Here are the connector pinouts for the factory tape deck, the wire colors and measurements are specific to an SA cassette deck:

Power connector on back of tape deck, male side:
(If you don't have a tape deck, this connector would be plugged into the back of the storage tray in the radio surround)
R is +12V in
Y is +12V in for powering the marker lights
Br is power out to head unit
Chassis is ground


Audio connector to back of head unit, male side:
If looking at the 5 pin din with the row of pins on the bottom,
R Y Grd Bk W
R has a relatively high resistance to ground when the tape deck is latched (22kOhm) and a low resistance when unlatched (28 Ohm).
R goes high when tape is latched, grounded otherwise, 0.40Ohm resistance to positive when latched
Y is the left channel, Bk the right channel
W has 3.4kOhm resistance to ground, isolated from positive when unlatched, 3.4kOhm resistance to positive when latched - goes high (+11.8V) when latched, 0V when unlatched. I have not done enough research to figure out the function of this wire.

When a tape is inserted into the unit, it diverts power from Br and instead powers the amp through R of the audio connector. In this state, the power button on the head unit is no longer functional and the band indicator light goes off (AM/FM light). However, just putting an impedance across the audio in lines will cause the head unit to switch over from the radio to that signal. The FM or AM light will remain lit and the power switch on the head unit will still be functional. What this means is that simply plugging in another audio device will cause the radio to go quiet and play your sounds instead. This method is not fullproof, the input device may have be unplugged and replugged before the head unit recognizes the different signal, you may be stuck with a shadow sound, but building the connection is much simpler.

That said, there are two ways to go about building the connection. You can build a simple direct cable, or you can build a switching unit that goes the extra step of putting the head unit into "tape mode". I will discuss both. The second method is a little more complicated, but may be necessary for your application if your head unit is finicky and/or your intended input device has an extremely high impedance. In this scenario, if you go the first route you'll hear a mix of the radio signal and your input. Test your setup before you commit to it. You have been warned. It worked fine for me so I went with the first type of connection.


The connector

Fortunately for us, the type of connector used on the back of the head unit is the exact type of connector used on old AT keyboards (the one's with the big round plug), so sourcing a connector should be no problem. Just go to a computer store and buy a "PS/2 to AT keyboard adaptor," or scrap an old keyboard. Furthurmore, if you already have a tape deck and are worried about having to disconnect it for this, don't! Just in case you wanted both a cassette player AND an 8 track player (or reel-to-reel or record player) in you car, the designers included two audio ports on the back of the head unit.

For the first method, all you need now is an audio connector of your choice and a moderate length of three conductor wire. Wire up your connector to the din connector using the above diagram as your guide. Y is the left channel, Bk is the right channel, and Grd is, well, your ground. You can mount your connector however you choose. Me, I chose to just let the wire, with a 1/8" male stereo mini-plug, hang out the back and wrap around the RHS of the console.

There are several was to go about the second method. The simplest way would be to install a switch that directs power from R of the power connector to either Br or R of the audio connector. Using this switch you could manually put the head unit in "tape mode." So you can keep your device plugged in all the time, made the switch of a TPDT variety and have it control the right/left lines as well as the power. Alternatively, you can get a sensing type of audio receptacle that has a ground switch. In these connectors, there is a extra pin that is shorted to ground (or vice versa depending on the connector) when there is no plug inserted. With this type of connector, you could wire a relay directly to that pin and use it to divert power. The rest, wiring up the audio signal, is the same as in the first method.

The audio quality was suprisingly good for my 27 year old head unit. I was shocked when plugged in my mp3 player, given the sound of it's radio reception. With new speakers, it may even be comparable to todays audio systems.

Rx7carl

Thats pretty cool! Thanks for the info. Sounds like the S3's are similar and this would probably work on them also.

Pele

iTrader: (28)

I believe that 2nd audio input is for the graphic EQ on the later cars.

-xlr8planet-

iTrader: (3)

This is archive material

Thanks man for this article, I think I might use my factory stereo after all...

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

Good work now I can get my ipod working in the 7. Archive this mods.

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

I would like to see a completed/working version

sevens4me

iTrader: (1)

Is this info. pertinent to the round cables on an 84-85 3-part factory Clarion radio also?

innertwist

iTrader: (3)

It seems I made an over assertion in saying that this is completely compatible with S2s. I was not aware that there was a premium sound option for 81/82 and consequently this will not work with that option. Furthurmore, it may only be SA's that have two input ports. I just stumbled upon this thread. In it there's a picture of the back of a standard 82 head unit, and it only has one input port. At this rate, I'm not even sure if the simple method would work. If someone has tried it, please chime in.

I have a picture of my completed cable (attached). lol, it's not much to look at.

No. For those you could interrupt the sound going to the equalizer with a relay or switch and send your own signal instead, similar to the second method. This applies to the premium sound on any of them. There's a wiring diagram in that link above, and I've seen it posted elsewhere. Keep searching

7aull

iTrader: (2)

As an SA owner thinking about audio tweaks...THANKS!!! well done. Doc, can we Archive this??
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

Rx7carl

If no one has anything to add, or any more requests we'll archive it.

dantheman

iTrader: (4)

I just tapped into the line that goes from the tape deck. I turn off the radio by putting a tape in, and then turn on my mp3 player. I used a switchable plug that turns off the signal coming from the tape deck when I have the mp3 player plugged in. It works pretty darn good.

innertwist

iTrader: (3)

with S2s that is.


Yeah, if all S2 head units only have one input, that's the way to do it if you have a tape deck. Although, I do recommend recommend using a relay to eliminate that tape latch step, or using a switch for all of it.

As it happens, I have an FB tape deck sitting here (never did get that SA tape deck to work, the rubber wheels were completely reduced to tar, nevermind the belt). I just pulled the cover off and confirmed that the wire colors/pin designations are exactly the same as in the SA deck. Therefore if you wish to splice the cable (as apposed to making an inline adapter) the colors in the diagram up top are equally valid for the FB.

mjm4jc

So, this will not work with an 84-85 unit with the equalizer? I just want to know how to hook up an MP3 player to the stock unit.

Mickster

iTrader: (2)

For anyone not interested in building their own 3.5mm mini-plug to 5 pin DIN audio cable to connect MP3/audio source to 1st generation Rx-7's original CLARION radio, here is a UK company that makes top notch cable at customizable lengths.

http://www.flashbacksales.co.uk/acat...mJackPlug.html

The first "premium" cable is clearly the best. Because Din connectors are directional it is vital that you order the correct cable for the signal direction, which is from MP3/audio source "to" radio/amplifier. The website makes this clear.

Also, please know that I sent an email to the contact address at Flashbacksales with specific questions on the performance and compatibility of these cables with the CLARION radios that shipped in 1GS1. I'll post again if I hear back anything worth sharing.

boyee

iTrader: (3)

^^^ link doesnt work

ourxseven

iTrader: (1)

????? admins .... ????? this copy of the thread should probably be deleted , ie link doesn't work ????

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

Adding to this thread because the one on the archive is locked.

I just got in there and looked at the back of my Clarion stereo and there is only one audio port and the cassette is going into that one. I'm just going to do the simple solution and plug my mp3 line inplace of the cassette desk and leave the cassette unplugged for now.

Glazedham42

iTrader: (4)

Here is the correct link from the archives. I'm not going to delete the thread, because it looks like this topic is still going. If you guys have any further discoveries then I'll update the archives as well.

http://www.flashbacksales.co.uk/acat...mJackPlug.html

Jamie

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

All done. Works like a champ and its actually easy to reach behind the console and plug the tape player back in anytime I need to do so.

Great mod.

It took me an hour to take a audio cable with male ends from radio schlock, cut it in half. Determine that white and yellow were the left and right pins as innertwist noted. Soldered it up to a 1/8 male stereo plug and voila my ipod now plays directly through the original Clarion stereo.

Mickster

iTrader: (2)

Congratulations Tim! I'm going to try to emulate your custom cable. How long a cable did you make?

BlackWorksInc

If anyone wants a stock Clarion radio, let me Know, I have one just sitting in my '82 and I really don't plan on using it... I may have one in the GSL-SE also I didn't really look.

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

The cable was 6ft. originally with male connectors on both ends. It was a midi cable. I cut it in half so the resulting cable was 3 ft long.

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

Heh! It only took me a year to get around to this.

80's old school

iTrader: (7)

Demon Spawn, do you still have your stock Clarion? Mine is not working right. Also, do you know if an 82 radio will fit into an 80??

alfajeffrey

iTrader: (7)

I have an 82 series 1

I took my cassette to reciever plug and un-clipped it from inside the cassette player.

Then I checked for continuance and this is what I have from pin to wire color.

Can someone help me decipher the differences, so I can begin soldering my splices. I plan on wiring an input jack cable after the insulated jacket inside the tape deck.

I have a heavy-duty wire and I plan on also soldering this insulator to the cassette insulator ground clip.


I would also like to install the most simple switch as possible. I was considering on rewiring a button on the radio to divert the 12 volts from the cassette supply to the red lead on the receiver cable.

It looks pretty delicate in there though, and I want to know if running the switched line in parallel with the preexisting system for muting the receiver.

Please confirm what wires are relative which outputs, and the corresponding element of the circuit.

= U =
= =
= =
=R Bk=
=Gr Bl=
= Grd=

so like clarificaton on the way to initiate the tape mode without cutting out the tape deck. I would like to do all work inside the case of the tape deck