AudiWorld Forums - IceLink Install in 2001 A6 - a few tips and some updates (VERY long with pics)

After doing LOTS of forum surfing, I made the decision on how to integrate my 30 GB iPod Photo into my recently acquired 2001 A6. I'm posting my experiences to provide an update to what has already been posted (which I'll be referencing) and to give readers a few tips I've not found spelled out elsewhere. First, a few comments...

<big>BACKGROUND</big>

- A great starting place for understanding iPod/Audi integration is the excellent overview provided by mike27t in his <a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/audio/msgs/40986.phtml">Monster discussion on iPod hardwiring options (very long with pictures)</a> post. The installation I opted for is what he refers to as an "All-in-One Cable." By this he means a high level of integration that provides protocol mediation between your OEM head unit and the iPod (so that your head unit/steering wheel controls can control the iPod), customized wiring harnesses, and very high sound quality.

- There is also an excellent Tech Article by David Tepper (available <a href="https://www.audiworld.com/tech/elec111.shtml">here</a>) that details an IceLink installation in an A4. What I'll describe is different in that I purchased the one that interfaces directly to the head unit instead of through the CD changer connector in the trunk. Given how easy it is to remove the head unit (thanks to a generous loan of the required tool from Boston Driver), I highly recommend this option. I don't like the idea of running LONG audio cables in a car that has more embedded electronics than a cruise missile and I saved a lot of work by not having to do that snaking. The wiring I describe between the head unit and the docking cradle is also more stealthy than what David does.

- PLEASE do not tell me I should have used a PhatBox. I know they're wonderful and many people here love them. The iPod thing is about much more than what goes into my A6. My iPod has a dock on my home stereo, a connection to my bedroom stereo, an interface to my digital SLR for on-the-road image downloads, and the capacity to go with me hiking/skiing/kayaking/whatever (as April/Verdegrrl said, "You can't throw earbuds on a Phatbox and go for a walk."). The iPod also has seamless integration to what is generally considered the best digital music management software and online buying experience in the industry. THAT is why I love my iPod and wanted to integrate it as much as possible with my A6. 'nuf said.

- I purchased my IceLink from <a href="http://enfigcarstereo.com/">www.enfigcarstereo.com</a> for $150 (+ $22 for a Panavise mounting bracket for the cradle) and I highly recommend them. I ended up speaking to Christian for some phone support and he was very helpful. The exact parts I ordered were listed as "Dension - I20 Audi R ice>Link Plus" and "Panavise - 75102-600".

- This price is actually better than it looks. The IceLink includes an excellent docking cradle which none of the other solutions offer as part of their base price. You'd have to pay $30-40 to get one, negating any price advantages the other full-integration solutions may appear to have.

Okay, enough preamble. Let's get on with things...

<big>PARTS LIST</big>

The IceLink comes with the following basic parts (Note: this is a simpler parts listing then described in other posts -- there's no other interface box as shown in David Tepper's tech article):
- iPod docking cradle & cable
- IceLink interface module
- Wiring harness to attach interface module to head unit

<big>INSTALLATION</big>

Here are the steps involved in the install...

1) Remove the fuse for the head unit by looking up the location in your owners manual (was location 37 on mine).

2) If you've got a CD changer in your trunk, disconnect the cable for it and give it a smooch for services rendered. You will not be using it any more. Savvy readers will remove it and list it on the AW classifieds to recoup some of the costs associated with this project.

3) Remove head unit using the four keys as shown
(pic credit to Boston Driver):
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/steering%20wheel/electronicsremoval1.jpg">

4) Before you set aside the head unit, remove the radio keys by pressing down the spring tabs and pulling out the key.
(pic credit to Boston Driver):
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/steering%20wheel/electronicsremoval7.jpg">

5) Disconnect all of the cords from the back. Don't worry -- you will not have any troubles reconnecting them; they are all unique. The trickiest one is the little coax cable near the bottom -- make sure you squeeze the black plastic while pulling.

6) Remove the climate control module -- you'll need to do this if you want to use the cable routing I suggest -- by removing the two bolts in the upper corner of the unit (red circles below). Then, reach in from the top of the unit and push the unit out from behind. It's a little stubborn so give it a good push.
(pic credit to Boston Driver):
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/steering%20wheel/electronicsremoval2.jpg">

7) Do NOT remove the cables for the climate control module -- you will not need to.

8) Snake the cable for the IceLink iPod docking cradle as shown in the photo below (to the right side of the climate control module and below where the head unit slides in). Also shown in the photo below is the mounting point for the Panavise bracket (the right hand retaining screw for the climate control module).
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/104457/cradle_wiring.jpg">

9) Being careful to make sure the cradle cable is not pinched, reinstall the climate control module by pushing it back into place and screwing it in with the two screws you removed. The right one will secure the Panavise bracket as noted above. If you attach the IceLink iPod cradle to the bracket as I did to test for proper cable placement, note that you'll need to remove it before reinstalling the head unit (learned that one the hard way).

10) Connect the cable from the docking cradle (black cable in the photo below) to the IceLink interface module (funny looking black thing). Then, connect the other end of the interface module to the wiring harness that you'll connect to the CD changer port on the head unit (rainbow colored cable).
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/104457/icelink_module.jpg">

11) Wire the grounding cable from the IceLink wiring harness to the grounding point on the head unit:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/104457/grounding_wire.jpg">

12) Attach the CD changer cable that you disconnected from the head unit to the appropriate port of the IceLink wiring harness and tuck the IceLink interface module behind the climate control unit as shown below:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/104457/module_placement.jpg">

13) Reconnect all of the cables you disconnected in step #5. The IceLink wiring harness will connect to the CD changer port.

14) Make sure all your connections are well seated, reinstall the fuse you removed in step #1, and test your work by installing your iPod in the cradle and turning on the head unit. It is accessed by selecting the CDC button on your head unit. See the <a href="http://www.densionusa.com/support_files/icelink_plus_users_manual_v210.pdf">IceLink user manual</a> for details on how it will operate (NOTE: The steering wheel controls will not work unless the ignition is turned on). If everything works, continue to the next step. If not, check your connections, review the steps shown above, curse Denison, curse me, go get a beer.

15) Reinstall the head unit, making sure not to pinch the docking cradle cable. There's a little rubber gasket which surrounds the head unit. This may catch on the Panavise mounting braket as you reinsert the head unit, so have the ever-popular plastic putty knife handy to help keep it where it should be as you slide the head unit in. Don't forget -- if you've got the cradle attached to the Panavise bracket, you'll need to remove it before reinstalling the head unit. Here's what things should look like when you're done:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/104457/install_complete.jpg">

Here are a few other views of the completed install...

Side view:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/104457/side_view.jpg">

Driver's view:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/104457/driver_view.jpg">

<big>ADDITIONAL RESOURCES</big>

A few additional resources I found along the way that should prove helpful:
- <a href="http://www.densionusa.com/support_files/icelink_plus_install_guide_audi.pdf">IceLink Audi installation guide</a>
- <a href="http://www.densionusa.com/support_files/icelink_install_supplement_audi.pdf">IceLink Audi installation supplement</a>
- <a href="http://www.densionusa.com/support_files/icelink_plus_users_manual_v210.pdf">IceLink user manual</a>

The second resource I list (the supplement) is really an excellent one -- make sure you download it. Do NOT ask me why it is not included with the kit or why it is buried at the Denison site. This brings me to the required "what I liked/didn't like" section...

<big>WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS INSTALL</big>

- Installation was really quite easy once I had done the required reading AND found the supplement referenced above.

- The docking cradle is great -- iPod can be inserted/removed at any time making the solution VERY flexible for integrating your iPod on the fly.

- Firmware is upgradeable (in theory -- see dislikes for a qualifier), offering a potential path to compatibility with future features/iPod models/etc.

- Un-installing would be a snap, cradle/interface module can be reused in a different vehicle using a different wiring harness (I know -- why would you want to?), and would leave the vehicle unmarred.

The IceLink has two UI modes that offer excellent flexibility. Below is a quick overview of both. See the user manual linked above for details.

<big>Denison UI:</big>

- Can access the first five alphabetically listed playlists on your iPod by selecting buttons 1-5 on the head unit (#6 is reserved for accessing the Denison UI menu structure). TIP: I set up five playlists in iTunes named "- CD 1" through "- CD 5" that each point to other playlists. In this manner, I can change button assignments at will using iTunes. Great for selecting what I want to easily access before a long trip/hot date/etc (think of Jack Nicholson with his mix tapes in the movie "As good as it gets.").

- Can navigate other playlists through the head unit/steering wheel controls using Denison menu structure accessed through button #6. This appears to be only moderately useful given the fact that you have to look at the relatively small iPod interface to do this -- will have to see just how useful this is over time. [UPDATE: Improved menu structure and other nav enhancements in firmware update 2.15 offer some improvements which should make this feature more useful -- see "UPDATE" section below.]

- Can set various parameters for the integration solution (e.g., audio level, iPod charging, etc.)

- Can do next/previous track and FF/REW through the head unit controls. The Scan and Random buttons also operate as expected.

- Can do next/previous track through the steering wheel controls.

<big>iPod UI:</big>

- This interface allows you to use the standard iPod interface (which is disabled when using the Denison UI). You switch back and forth through a menu choice in the Denison UI and pulling the iPod out of the cradle for a second and reinserting it.

- Allows you to remove the iPod, navigate to the playlist you want, and then reinsert into the cradle. This is probably more effective for accessing a wide variety of playlists than using the Denison UI.

- Can do next/previous track through the steering wheel controls and with the approrpriate buttons on the head unit (I love that you can still do this when using the iPod UI).

- UPDATE (as of the 2.15 firmware update): Can do Fast Forward/Rewind, Next/Previous Playlist, Next/Previous Album, and Next/Previous Chapter by pressing one of the numbered buttons and then the FWD/REW button (see the <a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/611887.phtml">firmware history post</a> for details).

Poster's note: This is a very high level of integration between the OEM Audi head unit and the native iPod interface. For people who really know/like the iPod UI, this gives them some very good control over their iPods by simply pressing the large buttons on the head unit -- a much safer option than trying to use the click wheel while driving.

<big>WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE ABOUT THIS INSTALL</big>

- Gathering up-to-date information took a lot of surfing -- discovering the IceLink installation supplement noted above was KEY and it really should have been included in the kit. Clearly, Denison is not very DIY oriented.

- Denison support really stinks. The site leaves a lot to be desired (e.g., completely non-functional search field, hard to find what you're looking for, etc.) and answers to support requests/self-help FAQs are way too terse to be useful (often missing important parts of the support request or not clearly explaining things). I'm still trying to find the 2.10 firmware download on their site [Poster's note: See UPDATE section below for how I ended up finding the latest firmware download].

- There appears to be a little instability with the solution. While using it the other night, it got into scan mode without my wanting it to. It also is a little slow in updating the display. Will have to see how this plays out over time.

<big>CONCLUSIONS</big>

All in all, I'm happy with the experience. I think the install looks great, the functionality is very good, and the sound quality is excellent (no more hiss from the tape interface I was using previously). I love accessing tracks from the steering wheel and the cradle is best-in-class. I hope this post proves useful for people looking to take their iPods on the road in style.

<big>UPDATE: HOW TO DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL IceLink FIRMWARE UPGRADES</big>

Alright, I have to start this by reiterating that Denison's support stinks. I gave up on hearing back from them on where I can find the firmware upgrades for download (I knew they were up to at least 2.10 and I had 2.07) but was lucky enough to find <a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/audio/msgs/50503.phtml">a post on the AW Audio forum</a> (kudos to TeddyBGame) that pointed to a site that linked to a recent update. After doing a little surfing and experimentation, I discovered two things:

1) The latest firmware upgrade is actually 2.15 (available <a href="http://install.dension.com/ICE-LINK_PLUS_FW_215.exe">here</a>)
2) Denison's web site has NO information on it that I could find anywhere!!!

Frankly, I find that mind-numbingly awful -- particularly when you read the <a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/611887.phtml">upgrade history</a> which is included in the update package.

So, back to the Denison support site to find out how to install the update... You guessed it: NOTHING straight-forward by way of documentation on the process.

[UPDATE: I did end up finding a <a href="http://www.densionusa.com/text_support/iceLink_Plus_Update_Guide.pdf">document on the Denison site that describes the firmware update procedure</a>. That said, I think you'll find the procedure below easier. You be the judge.]

I did find one <a href="http://support.dension.com/support-center/index.php?x=&mod_id=2&root=8&id=55">posting on their support site</a> that made reference to a manual workaround. Using this as a backdrop, here's what I did to perform the updgrade:

1) Download the lastest firmware update
2) Expand the package by running the .exe file -- it will save the update files into a folder
3) Connect your iPod to your PC
4) Using iTunes, select "Add folder to library" from the "File" menu and select the folder that the update files were saved to
5) When the files have been added to your library -- this will take a while and will require processing that continues after the import dialog goes away -- update (i.e., synch) your iPod
6) Update your iPod again (and again as needed) until you're sure ALL the update files have made their way onto your iPod. The additional processing iTunes needs to get all the files into your library continues for several minutes, so make sure your last update doesn't actually copy anything over -- that will indicate that you've captured everything. Alternatively, go have a coffee/beer/martini (gin please and VERY dry) in between loading the files into your iTunes library and updating your iPod.
7) Disconnect your iPod and head out to the car
8) Turn on the radio and select the CD changer (CDC button)
9) On the iPod, browse the following menu path: Music/Genres/_config/Menu/Update and play the "Start_Update..." file
10) While this file is playing, insert the iPod into the cradle -- the update process will start immediately and take a few minutes
11) Once completed, the IceLink will automatically restart with the new firmware. You can see the version number on the top right corner of the "Don't browse while driving" welcome screen
12) After you've successfully completed the upgrade, you can (and should) delete the upgrade files from the iPod

The lastest rev of the firmware offers a greatly simplified menu structure and some nice new features listed in the history file (located in the folder to which the update package expands itself). I'm hoping it will also resolve some of the stability issues I mentioned above. Will provide an update after I try it out for a few days.

[UPDATE: I've tried the new firware for a couple of days now and it does appear to be more stable. Still some occasional odd behavior (had to reset the iPod once), but I do think this is the one to go with. Will report back if I reach a different conclusion after more time.]

-Tom