I recently ordered an android auto add-on for my 2018 F-type. After disassembling more of the interior than I would like to admit. I seem to have an IMC unit. Every brand I looked at said I have a harmon one because of the layout of the screen.



OEM Radio





Is this the head unit?

I can't find anything with this plug on it?

Anyone have any idea? The company I ordered it from has been very responsive, but they seem to think the "host" is hidden somewhere in the vehicle. I don't know if it matters, but the car is a manual, so maybe the unit I am supposed to be plugging into is in a different place than normal?

Thanks guys!

 

Are you sure the add on kit you got really works with the IMC system? When I looked for CarPlay/Android Auto kits the only supplier I saw that definitely had a solution for the IMC system was UAD.

I also have the IMC version and no such plug was involved when I installed my UAD interface. Just a completely different looking power plug going into the head unit behind the seats and some other plugs going into the screen unit in the dash.

 

That is basically why I asked this question, I was becoming more and more certain that I had the wrong unit. The company actually reached out to me late last night (they're in China) and told me they were going to be shipping me something and that I had received the incorrect part. Thanks for the confirmation though.

 

Yeah that cable looks totally wrong. Guess they're sending you a new cable or maybe even a new unit also.

If there are any dip switches on the unit make sure that they're correctly set. Assuming that the dip switches are correctly set up on delivery is a mistake I made and also have seen others making.

 

You have an 2018MY...the VIN break should have been high enough where your car may have been eligible for the free Apple CarPlay/Android Auto upgrade via software upgrade. I would double check.

FYI...its either Bosch or Harman. IMC just stands for Infotainment Master Controller. Based on your photo it looks like you have Harman system.

 

This system has been referred to as IMC in other discussions aswell. I have the same version and can't remember seeing any notion of Harman or Bosch anywhere on it.

Apple CarPlay/Android Auto software update? Unless there's something new there was never any working OEM software with ACP/AA for the 8" screens. The CarPlay option came up in the system in an update a couple of years ago but was removed in the next update because it never worked. The 10" screen system initially came without ACP/AA and could be updated to get ACP/AA but I've never heard of ACP/AA in the 8" system.

 

So other than the display the 2020 being the larger 10" it looks as if it has the same Bosch IMC system that sits between the seats behind the popoff panel. Did you try to plug your phone directly into the USB port of the car to see if Android Auto popped up? Some f-types seem to get a Hodge podge setup of components if near the end of a build year when produced. Those plugs look like the ones that plug into the BCM down under the plate in the passenger firewall.

 

how was the IMC unit removed? is it a must to remove the entire center console/cup holder section? trying to do this right now on a 2018 with the panel popped open, it is impossible to reach to the clips of the connectors

 

I don't think you have to remove all of that, but you do have to disassemble the whole back of the cabin area to get to the 4 bolts that hold the radio in place. I couldn't get to the clips either and I have small hands

 

You mean removal of the back panel to access the unit? This attachment shows some key steps in accessing this area.

Removal of the plastic speaker cover is really tricky - don't just try and pull off or you will break a plastic tab

 

that helped, just install an android 14 unit on a 2018 with that so hard to reach plug!

 

@sss Looking good! What unit did you get?

 

it was off aliexpress, it was around like $350? this was the spec:

Android 14 System
10.25"/12.3" IPS 1920x720 Sceen
CPU: Octa-Core 1.8Ghz.
4G LPDDR4 RAM Memory

 

I suggest keep it all original jaguar, and upgrade to the jagaur 10" screen, and activate android/carplay. Will work 1000% better than any aftermarket setup.

 

Could you post the link to the unit on AliExpress or at least the dealers name?

 

@Tech_JLR How much and where can one buy an OEM screen? Asking for 2019-2024 year range.

 

What year is your F-TYPE?

 

@Tech_JLR 2019, Post-Harman, has the Ethernet system (not MOST). Thanks for researching...

 

When youre ready to purchase one, let me know. Where im at i work with alot of wrecking yards, unless youre looking for new parts.

 

@Tech_JLR Thanks. What I really want is a HD screen (720P and above) that I can see when the top is down. My OEM screen is LD (420P) and I can't see anything when the top is down, rendering it useless.

For 2019 and newer it seems there are no Android head unit replacement alternatives that plug and play into the canbus. If anyone knows of one please post!