So when i turn on my radio (non navi) click xm then get to the ipod menu after that i plug my ipod in and click the cd 2 button to select a random song but instead of playing the songs through my speakers (note the track name comes up on the radio screen) it plays it through the ipod speaker. Any ideas on what i might be doing wrong?

 

Anyone

 

I'm having the same problem. I hope one of the iSimple experts can chime in.

 

is it plugged into the isimple?


Kidding aside, it sounds like your cable isn't properly plugged in or the phone isn't recognizing that it needs to output audio to it. I'd check their website and see if they have a firmware update for it. I believe the isimple has user upgradable firmware.

 

I just mine with my iPhone (3gs before and now 4) and never had that issue. Try plugging it in before you go into XM/iPod mode.

 

whats the difference between the isimple and isimple gateway? looking around on ebay and they are considerably different in price

 

I think the gateway allows the input option for HD radio. (it's just a guess, so don't quote me on this)

 

So I did the update to the iSimple gateway last night. It did not solve the problem. The Ipod chargers and the info shows up on the dash but the audio still plays through the Ipod. I can even control the Ipod with the steering wheel controls.

It's just the audio that's giving problems. Guess I'll have to bite the bullet on a new Ipod connection.

 

Have you updated the firmware to the latest 788b? It supposedly addresses issues with iOS 4.1

I had an issue with my newly installed one letting XM audio through and the text saying "ipod connected". I'd ahve to switch to Am/FM radio and back and it'll play again for a few minutes before XM took over. This is with a first gen ipod touch.

Updated the firmware and reseated my cables. Drove an hour to work this morning without issues.

It does but you need to purchase an optional HD receiver that plugs into your other input.

edit: nvm i see you've updated the firmware.

from my understanding the iSimple/iSimple Gateway are the same product, the Gateway being the newest revision and the module compatible with any car by manipulating the dip switches. The firmware itself has now been changed to universal application.

ISHD571 is the latest model. ISIM71 is an older model and cant even be found on the pac website anymore.

 

I will try to update the firmware when i get home. Thanks guys

 

just cause i coudlnt find any directions on acurazine on how to actually update the firmware,

obtain the proper usb cable, flip all the dip switches to "ON" or down, and plug it in to your PC. You shoudl be able to install the drivers that come with the 788b firmware at this point. If you leave them all OFF windows wont recognize it properly.

then use the utility to patch in the new 788 firmware. It's really easy. This will also give you the opportunity to check your connections to the box and make sure they're secure.

 

So i updated my firmware and i plugged the ipod in and it worked through the car speakers! Then i unplugged it and tried it again and now the radio tells me "ipod not connected".... any ideas?

 

I think I have the Peripheral iSimple PXAMG Media Gateway installed in my car, and want to update the firmware, the website says only an authorized dealer should do that. I don't even know where mine was installed, so I guess I have to have them do it. Are you guys just "experts" and feel comfy doing your own firmware upgrades? I guess I would too, if I knew where it was installed in my car.

 

I'd turn the radio off, reseat the ipod connector on the ipod and then switch back to XM to check. Did the ipod charge when it said "no ipod connected?"

I'd also check the cable connection to the control box. When you updated the firmware did you absolutely make sure the connection was secure? Its too bad it's not secured better physically.

yea it'd help to know where it is. Chances are it's on the driver's side foot well somewhere. Either under the steering column area or mounted behind the center console.

we're not experts but willing to DIY if possible. updating the firmware is honestly probably one of the easier things you can do to the car.

 

Oh, the other thing is, I'm Mac only. Will the firmware upgrade work on a Mac or PC only?

 

it is only for windows xp and 7/Vista 32bit.

You can run windows xp in a virtual machine using Virtualbox if you dont have a PC available. I cant speak for the virtual box product specifically, but Windows 7 64bit's XP Mode worked perfectly fine for updating firmware.

 

I have VMWare Fusion, with Windows 7 running, so guess I can work it there.
Thanks for the info, I'm going to contact the installer to see if they can do it for a minimal fee. If not, then I'll DIY.

 

Ive turned the radio of a thousand times and retried the process. and the ipod did not charge when i connected it. How do i know if the connection was secure? Sorry for all the questions i really appreciate your help ez.

 

cant say for sure just reseat all the cables at the control box. If it aint charging even when the ignition is off chances are the ipod cable at control box end got loose. How is the control module secured?

It should charge when the ignition is off too.

Put radio to AM/FM mode, then turn ignition off.

Per quick install instructions, the black 24 pin harness goes in LAST. plug in the ipod cable into input 1, the Aux cable if you want into input 2, and then the 24 pin. Then turn the car to ACC for 3 minutes and dont touch anything.

Then plug in an ipod and switch to XM and try it out.

OR on the other hand it could be a faulty module. Some people have just had to return/exchange theirs.

I had issues with mine cutting out and XM radio coming on and the radio frozen saying "ipod connected". Updated the firmware and rechecked and reseated all the connections. Zero problems since. You dont have any pinched wires anywhere do you? Since mine is routed through the center console i can pull from either end of the console and the cable moves freely.

You also made sure the dipswitches are all in the OFF position now after the firmware update?

 

Nope doesnt charge when the ignition is off... I checked all connections... and still got nothing. Guess thats what i get for buying something used off amazon.

 

does seem like this iSimple product is simple to set up. Its funny how my ipod works fine with my adapter w. .36 firmware.
Yet, my same ipod plugged into my friends TL with same firmware doesnt work properly.

 

I am looking at this same upgrade....did the Gateway in my 2004 Tahoe Z71, and it works great

 

Same problem here, bought iSimple on eBay, installed, but no Audio, everything else works just perfect, when I tried to update firmware it says: USB couldn't open.

Dealing with seller now for return.

 

I've installed mine in trunk, I believe it was the best location for me, since I don't had to remove entire center console, while removing rear seats was piece of cake.

 

you need to install the USB driver for the iSimple. It comes with the firmware zip file.

To install the driver you need to first put the dip switches all to ON and then plug it in to the computer for it to detect it properly. Then when it asks for a driver to install, point to where the files are.

If your firmware update utility cant read the device you either have the dip switches in the wrong position or the drivers are not installed.

to update firmware follow these steps:
Vista:
http://www.pac-audio.com/firmware/uP...a/index02.html

XP:
http://www.pac-audio.com/firmware/uPac/xp/index02.html

 

Thanks, that's what I thought, I'm Mac user and was using my friend's computer to update, I managed to update firmware, but problem still exists.

Text, audio controllers work, but no audio, not even when I try to use as AUX.

Any suggestions?

 

I've got nothing other than to re-check your cables. Make sure nothing's being pinched. good luck

 

Thanks, I did try that too. Bet, device is defective.

 

Fixed, I had it installed in trunk, moved to front works just fine. Love it so far.

 

first let me say this forum has been very helpful and is the best of its kind. I curently have a 08 TL with Nav traffic.. and I had the Isimple installed, it works with my iphone 4, but wont connect my 5 gen Ipod 30G, it just says Ipod not connected.. Also when I turn the car off, the ipod still charges thru the Isimple, anyone know why?

 

I just installed my isimple on my 06 TL non navi. I tried it out when I still had the dash taken apart and it worked perfectly. Well I put the dash back together and now it doesn't work. I plug my iphone in and it vibrates and starts charging but the radio display says "ipod not connected" and I can't play any audio. I'm really stumped because if I had knocked the ipod link cable loose when I was re installing panels it shouldn't be able to charge, right? But it does charge, yet it says no ipod connected. Can anyone help?

 

Mine just started saying "no iPod conn". Mine charges with and without ignition on. Any suggestions before I call I(not so)Simple?

 

I would check with tech support. But what always fixes my iSimple issues is doing a hard restart on the iSimple. its hard to find the actual instructions from iSimple's tech support, but I can tell you how.

Open device and remove circuit board. There is a group of hmnnnnn 6 or 9 capacitors? cant remember how many, but its obvious they are all together. There is one that is larger than all the rest. Identify this one, turn board over and short out the terminals. your done. reinstall

 

Now that you mention this, It seems like I had to do this when I 1st bought my Isimple about 3 years ago. This may be a silly question but how do you short out the capacitor? Did you just use a paperclip and touch it to a metal part on the car?

Also, I've never done an firmware update. Do you think it's worth it? My Isimple was working fine for the most part. It never displayed the song, just some really random text and song names. Not a deal breaker for me but if a firmware update would fix that, I'd consider it.

 

Just Google how to discharge a capacitor.

And yes update the firmware. Generally speaking, if anything has a firmware that can be updated, do it.