I've never had a car this long without swapping the stereo for an aftermarket headunit. I've got loads of them! But in this case, perhaps I'm just getting old, but I kinda like the stock look. I do 'need' somewhere to plug an MP3 player in though, so I'm contemplating adding an aux-in socket via a DPDT switch to the audio lines on the CD changer interface.

Have any of you done this before, or is it worth me taking photos etc?

& yes, I will be fixing the various faults I've already posted about, before spending any time on this!

 

I was under the impression the 'line-in' portion of the CD changer interface won't work unless there is an Alpine CD changer fitted. Later head units also require the changer to report the correct (Jaguar) model number, to prevent aftermarket non-Jaguar units being fitted.

I'm in the process of building a box which 'fakes' a CD changer to make the head unit happy. If you know of another way to do it, I'm all ears.

Edit: On second reading, it occurs to me you might already have a CD changer. In which case, I don't see why it wouldn't work! I don't (actually I do, but I want to sell it...)

 

I have put aux. in jacks on both my 1995 and 1996 XJs via a simple and cheap FM modulator. It hijacks the antenna input when switched on. I placed the switch in the ash trey. The brand I used (iSimple) came with a nice professional looking black jack labeled AUX IN that I put in a 3/8" hole I drilled through the radio face on the right side. Does not look out of place. The fidelity is as good as a CD. Also tried the little FM transmitters but the fidelity was poor.

bliving7

 

Keeping the stock radio is really the only way to go for me, so the iSimple solution seems rather nice. But what I really would like, is to be able to play via bluetooth because of no cables and/or holes to be drilled. I have found the iSimple ISFM21 Tranzit BLU which seems to fit the purpose and it plugs right into the antenna cable too, so the signal will never go on the air, which is a quality killer. Perhaps this could be a solution for the thread starter as well?

Anyone got any experience with this gizmo, or something similar?

 

Thanks for the input all... I do indeed have a CD changer fitted that I'll be keeping - so the simple wiring mod I proposed should be fine without any aftermarket gubbins

I'll take photos anyway - someone might be interested one day!

 

Any chance you took pics and show it was put together. Want to copy this idea....

 

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The bluetooth cassette adapters may be a simpler fix?

 

This option is also worth a go for BT integration
https://www.discountcarstereo.com/a2...ategory_id=431

 

The cassette adapters I've used tend to get noisy with the sound of the rotating mechanism, though that may be because I buy the cheap ones. An inexpensive wired FM modulator plus a Bluetooth aux in has served me well, and Discountcarstereo is also a good source for aux input kits as Cafcpete points out.

 

I've never had great reception with the FM ones. Even when the reception came in clear...it didn't for long.

 

The ones that plug straight into the antenna port on the back of the stock radio are much better.