iSimple ISHD651 Install Writeup - With Pics!
 

Hey all, been lurking here for a while but decided that I wanted to stop paying for SiriusXM (they were dicking around with giving me the cheap renewal rate) and get iPod support, since I download all the good stuff I hear off of SXM anyway.

I decided to get the iSimple ISHD651 because it has the USB and RCA AUX inputs so I can use my iPod or my Android phone. I also have plans down the road to replace the Nav screen with a tablet, so I wanted to have the input available when I decide to pull the trigger on that project. (Anyone have a spare Nav bezel? :smile: )

Install was super simple - having never dug into the car before I had it done in 50 minutes (YMMV, I'm an ASE Master.) Only had to drill a hole for the USB adapter which I mounted in the center console (more on USB location choice later).

Now for the meat and potatoes of the install:

First, remove the two brushed metal trim pieces. Here are pics of the clip locations so you know where to pry. (Note that the lower part was easy, the twin clips by the side of the Nav bezel required quite a bit of force)
Attachment 109645
Attachment 109646

Remove two screws in the console box (note that I removed the tray and armrest - not necessary)
Attachment 109647

Remove the two screws that join the two parts of the console together and slide the rear half of the console back. While you're here, remove the three screws that hold the cupholder in and the four screws that hold the shift bezel/compartments on...
Attachment 109648

Now for the USB port installation. I chose the console box instead of the "ashtray" compartment for two reasons:

• The bottom of the lower compartment has the potential to accumulate too much crap, and stuff gets spilled in there.
• I am kind of a cable freak and want the iPod and cable to be hidden neatly inside the console box.

When it's all put together, the rolltop for the cupholders sits pretty close to the front of the console box, which is why the light has a 90 degree connection on it. The only place to install the USB port is below the crease, at the same level as the cigarette lighter. Note that I started to drill a hole in the bad region before I realized the issue with the rolltop.
Attachment 109649

Finished 3/4" hole (drilled with a woodboring bit - worked perfectly, clean hole)
Attachment 109650

The USB port didn't sit flush when I first installed it - the plug had some plastic flashing left on it that prevented that. So I had to cut it off:
Attachment 109651

The console kick panel will have to come off as well... I didn't get pics of that process, unfortunately. In order to do that, you remove the lower steering column cover by pulling it towards the driver's seat, then removing two screws that the steering column cover was, well, covering. Then you can pull the console kick panel off.

Once the kick panel is off, access is a breeze. I was able to reach behind the radio easily and push down on the connector release. I also moved the shift panel/compartments a bit... you'll see why in a sec. :smile:
Attachment 109652

The hardest part of the damn install was simply getting the Y-harness (included with the iSimple) plugged back into the rear of the radio. Not terribly easy to get multiple fingers in there. Someone did post something before about using a screwdriver to push it in there; I just fanagled my fingers in there (that's what she said... :wink:) I also ran the USB cable up through the middle of the console and connected it, the Y-harness, and the reset button harness to the unit:
Attachment 109653

Right in between the compartments is a perfect, snug little spot for the iSimple unit. You can't get it in there without moving the shift panel/compartments, however.
Attachment 109654

Once that's in there nicely, tuck the wires appropriately:
Attachment 109655
Attachment 109656

What's that, you ask? Why is the reset button just chilling over there? Well I'll tell you. I didn't want to drill another hole or just have that damn thing hanging out for all to see. If you leave the button up there in front of the metal frame, it'll be easily accessible by pulling the carpet back when it's all back together:
Attachment 109657

Now just put the car back together, turn it on, and it works! No dipswitches have to be adjusted, it just works!

I've been impressed with the implementation and integration of the device so far - the iPod navigation is a little clunky but that's to be expected with an aftermarket interface. I haven't had any playback issues or any issues whatsoever yet, and will update if I do. Hope this writeup helps someone!

Looks great man nice write up. Is the iPod navigation similar to the other products out there or worse?

iPod navigation is probably the best it can be with aftermarket implementation. Track and artist text show up perfectly on the display. It only takes a bit to get used to using the 1-6 buttons to navigate the menus and it follows traditional iPod navigation very well. It pauses when HFL cuts in as well. The only issue I seem to be having so far is the resume function. When I start the car, every so often it seems to get confused and I have to go back through the menu and select a song to get the audio to start again. This may just be a user issue (letting the unit initialize for a second before starting the car) or a firmware update will take care of it.

Nice writeup man!

Great stuff here. I have the same unit and i love it, my favorite feature is definitely the bluetooth audio streaming.

i had one of these and could not get it to work properly, and also had a previous isimple unit aswell, i forget what one it was,

is it a cdn car thing? id love to have one in car and working but everyone ive put in wont work,

im doin everything right and followed the instructions??

anyone have similar problems?

oh yah and I'm working on a 08 Type S if it matters

Thanks for the write up! I just installed my today and everything went smooth. I couldn't get my module tucked in the same spot as the write up but the spot under it works also.

Now I don't have to burn anymore CD/DVD or listen to the radio play the same music over and over! :thumbsup:

I also completed this install today with these very helpful instructions. Thanks!

Can you still listen to XM sat radio with this thing installed?

What year is your TL?

I think I made the mistake of buying an ISHD651 without thoroughly reading all of the print. It seems like it doesn't work on cars with XM traffic which would be 2007-2008 TL's with Navigation.

Question for the audio and video plugs what can I use that for? Back up cam?

Thanks

does anyone know if the canadian TL's had XM Traffic?

id like to find one of these that actually works in my car,

any fellow canadians that have a 07-08 Type S that has an simple product and it works?

let me know

thanks

Just installed mine today with this write up. Thank you

Does anyone know if you can still use the steering wheel control when bluetooth streaming through an android? like skipping songs? and how about skipping in pandora? thanks

Do you have to use the phone part? My HFL works fine and don't really care for that feature in this device. I have the old Gateway and support says they don't have any plans to upgrade that cable for the lightning connector.

Joe

where are you guys purchasing from and how much are you getting them for? very interested in picking one of these up!

Beautiful write up and install! One quick question though, will the ISHD651 work in a 2006 non nav tl?

yea it should. it is the 2007 and 2008 models with nav that have an issue with ISHD651. I have one for sale. I sent you PM (it is also posted in the black market)

Update after using it a while (copied from my Amazon review):

I must say, I love having this in my 2005 TL! I believe that there's no product out there for the TL that is better than the iSimple. However, as with any aftermarket add-on equipment, it does have its shortcomings. To list them out:
* The unit does not import the random/repeat settings from an iPod when it is connected. For anyone that regularly removes the iPod from the vehicle, this can be a major annoyance (like it is for me).
* If the Repeat Song or Repeat List option is not selected, the end of a playlist is the end of playback. Once the last song is finished playing, you cannot scroll through the playlist any longer until a new playlist is selected. There is no rewind functionality - you must select another playlist (even the same one) to continue listening to music
* Every so often, if another mode is selected (AM/FM or CD for example) and then you go back to IPODUSB, the music does not play correctly - cracking/distortion and speeding up/slowing down of the track

For us with 07-08 with xm traffic you have to use the ISHD571 which is just the 30pin iPod cable. I just got off the phone with my I simple rep and he had his techs check to see if it would work, no USB for us.

I just hooked this up. Installation was easy no big deal. Synced my Iphone 5 (ios 7) with no issues. Audio quality for bluetooth streaming is great!

Problem I'm having is when I stream my music via bluetooth and I hit the button on my steering wheel to change tracks it doesn't just skip ahead to the next song... instead it continues to skip tracks one by one all the way to the end of my playlist!

Sometimes when I hit the next button on the steering wheel it works fine, and then sometimes it skips ahead like 5 tracks. Don't know how to fix this. Is it the phone or is it the device?

When it does that, are the songs in the cloud or actually on your device? I've noticed something similar with my wife's iPhone and our CRV.

Joe

It happens irrespective of that. I've tried playing both types of songs.

I called isimple today and they blamed APPLE and ios 7. Companies pointing the fingers at each other... surprise surprise..

So all in all would you guys rate this product good or bad? I have an 06 TL with Navi that I am looking for an aux audio interface. Its between this and the Blitzsafe interface. I had a Blitzsafe kit in my 03 TL non Navi and it worked great.

just to double check this has a USB connection AND a aux input independant of that?

Silverbullit06 - im kinda in the same boat... have have an 06 TL and just trying to figure out which product to get... isimple/blitz or maybe attempt to do that XM splicing since i dont need XM... been scouring this forum to see whats more popular...

I got the same thing when I emailed them about supporting the lightning connection. They said something about not wanting to piss Apple off by creating a cable. I think it's a load of crap. They just don't want to spend the time developing one when they have the new product out with Bluetooth and the USB port. Oh well.

Joe

This makes bluetooth work for a little bit but the problem comes back.

1. unpair your phone from isimple
2. unpair/remove device your phone from isimple (read the manual)
3. restart phone
4. repair phone to isimple

https://discussions.apple.com/thread...t=225&tstart=0

Also when I connect my iPhone with the lightning cable the steering wheel controls won't work until I unplug my iPhone and plug it back it.

Guys for those who have ios 7 I would not recommend this. It does not work like it suppose to. Maybe those still on ios 6 can chime and tell us if its working for them still. That will tell me that its an issue with apple.

where is the best place to buy the isimple? also on the isimple site there are multiple models that pop up when you filter by make/model/year... which one do we use?

I have a canadian 2006 TL base.No navi and no xm.Does anyone know if the ISHD651 will work on it,or should i get the 571?

With the latest updates have any of these issues been fixed? Isn't this the only option for integrated bluetooth streaming?

I found this Digital Disc Box which is cheaper than isimple and appears to do the same (bt, aux, USB, mic, sd card) things. It is all in one small spot so being able to have it in ur arm rest would involve getting an extender cable. My question is has anyone else tried this or contemplated getting it? Looks easy to install, has less pieces, but doesn't have RCA cables but I don't have navi so it doesn't help me to have those.
http://wap.eonon.com/productshow.aspx?pno=V0021

I'm going to give this a shot this weekend. I ordered the same unit. I don't know what I'm going to do for the USB yet, as I want to be able to use my phone GPS, so in the console doesn't really work for me. Did you install the mic? I don't know if there is a point of having the mic since we have HFL, but what about using Siri for texting? thanks for the write up.

Going to answer my own question. I did the install this weekend using your tips. Worked great, thank you. I didn't drill a hole yet, as thats not a huge deal to me...its too bad the cover for the cupholders comes down so close to the light, as the usb port fits great in that hole...oh well..

Anyways, the HFL and Siri do not play nice together. If you have your phone synced to the car, and to the iSimple, the HFL gets all crackled and muffled sounding on a call...i installed the mic up on the visor and it seems to work fine through the isimple...really cool integration into the radio, pretty amazing. Sucks that the buttons on the steering wheel are useless now, but its a car from 2005, so I'm not that worried...i posted a thread also with more detail.

Does this model replace the PXAMG?
I have the PXAMG and have lost steering wheel control at some point. I am running the most current firmware.
Does anyone know if the AUX port on this device provides the 5v of power like the PXAMG?
Does anyone know if the 24 pin connect from this device is interchangeable with the PXAMG cable, would be great to not have to remove the dash.

I am having a weird issue with one iPhone in particular. Restoring it right now to see if it helps. If there is anyone out that moved from the old to the new solution please chime in.

SuM

Yes, from what I understand this is an updated version of what you have. Allows bluetooth, ipod usb, aux, usb, bluetooth calling. Steering wheel controls work with just this. I haven't seen anything about 5v coming out of the Aux cable....I can test this for you, but on what? what is the application of having power come from the Aux cable? I'd call iSimple about whether the 24 pin will work...My initial reply would be yes...I think its the actual module that controls the new functions.

Trying to this now... at the back of the radio there are 3 slot. One with grey and on the right side, blue in the middle and white on the left side. The blue and grey have wires connected to the radio but the white theres no cable on it just empty. I was wondering where is the white plug you pulled?

The white connector on the left (while looking at the front of the radio; it would be on the right when looking at the rear of the unit) is the one to remove for the iSimple Y-harness. What year/options TL do you have? Mine is an 05 w/Nav - if you have different options you may have to get a different iSimple unit.

He figured it out, he has a canadian TL which means no XM, hence the empty port =)