IceLink / iPod install (edited: now with text & pics)

SnailA4(WhaleA4) · 05-15-2004, 10:49 AM

Using yeahboz' install post as a guide, my own install went without a hitch. I was cheap and tried to fashion my own radio removal keys from file folder hangers but did not have success. The wonderful APR I+ software is generating lean and O2 sensor codes more frequently now and the recent set took me to the dealer while on vacation 125 miles from home. The dealer was great and would be worth the trip for regularly scheduled service visits. Anyway, I had the dealer use their radio keys to pull the head unit out half an inch.

I've read several posts for blitzsafe and similar products. Seemed like a good approach but had a few disadvantages too. The icelink offers line out connection for best possible sound, no using the headphone connection. The new v1.1 cradle charges ipod so you?re not left with dead battery by the end of your trip. The headunit now controls track selection so no fussing with the barely visible ipod display while driving. The v1.1 cradle also powers off the ipod when the hu is powered off. Finally, the v1.1 kit includes all parts necessary for the install (except radio removal keys. This should be offered, too, as landspeed did with their VW upgrade kits). Yes, it is more expensive but these new features were important to me and I felt it was better to go all the way with a clean install rather than spend a good amount for a compromise solution. You decide which features you need. I see the value in blitzsafe but icelink better fits my needs.

Yeahboz disconnected the antenna cable during his install but I did not need to. Attaching the ground wire IS critical, but I also needed to disconnect the power cable and then reinsert in order to get audio signal through the CDC port.

Because the icelink connection ends in a cradle, I chose to order a dash mount. The mount is not pictured because densionusa has not yet sent it to me. For the time being, the cradle cord is long enough to reach the storage area under the arm rest. A nice hiding place for those times when I need to leave the ipod in the car. Because I intended to use the dash mount I did not route the cable all the way down the back and under the dash console panel. Instead, I routed it through a small opening next to the glove box. The cable is black so it blends a bit better than white or gray cables would.

DO use a towel to protect your interior while doing the install. And DO notice the AMS SS. Shorter throws and precise feel. Worth the money. The HU balanced well on the SS during the install. And DO use care when tucking the cables back in to the dash as they tend to kink. Finally, DO disregard my dusty interior! I was away on vacation and out in the desert. Nothing out there but golf and DUST!!! Oh, and lotsa margaritas!

Not much to add 'cept to refer you all to yeahboz' install post with great pics. Install time was about 10 or 15 minutes and the only issue was no sound upon first connection. I checked all connections and then pulled the power to the HU. That seemed to solve the problem. Now I've got 4209 songs with the ipod set to shuffle play. Next I'll hafta create a 'classical' and a 'jazz' playlist so I can use the ipod while family and coworkers and clients are in the car. THEN I can enjoy alternative and all the good stuff while on my own. Random play with huge song selection is SO much better than 6 cds in the dash. . . .

Good luck, all.

yeahboz' blitzsafe install with pics

NerdKonvention · 05-15-2004, 09:52 PM

lawong · 05-15-2004, 10:21 PM

Glad to hear yours worked out.

nanotech · 05-16-2004, 10:50 PM

Looks like it's out of sync in the one picture you posted, just curious if it syncs to the iPod display at all. The Blitzsafe displays CDC1 Disc 1 Track 99 0:00 when it's selected.

SnailA4(WhaleA4) · 05-17-2004, 06:09 AM

so no, it is not sync'd. . . .but I've now got 4,600 songs on the ipod anyway. . . .track time DOES correspond.

nanotech · 05-17-2004, 07:02 AM

NS2000X · 05-17-2004, 10:52 AM

Happy iPodding

SnailA4(WhaleA4) · 05-17-2004, 11:31 AM

because yours is connected through the dock, you are running through "line out" as well, aren't you? no cheesy headphone connection and related inferior sound quality, huh?

I'm really dense and I missed that before.

I don't have your mechanical abilities, either, but I DO like your install. I needed a foolproof install, like the one Landspeed offered for there VW audio system upgrade. simply plug 'n play.

pancho · 05-17-2004, 04:02 PM

hi....where do you get the 2-connects adapter????????...thanks

SnailA4(WhaleA4) · 05-17-2004, 04:53 PM

05-15-2004, 09:52 PM	#2
NerdKonvention Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 5,525	will this install for those of us with XM? __________________ "We're on g35driver, taking over your forumzzzzz" - MB the Body "You're learning stick in an NSX? Wtf?" - Jack - w/ rake "I just like my box clean like my whips you know?" - green_vaccine *1965 Corvette Stingray* *2003 Audi A4 1.8tq (RIP)* *2004.5 Audi A4 3.0q (Sold: 8/16/09)*

05-15-2004, 10:21 PM	#3
lawong Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 7,904	Excellent. I heard of another B6 with a icelink v1.1 where song skip and reverse didn't work. Glad to hear yours worked out.

05-16-2004, 10:50 PM	#4
nanotech AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 4,043	What does the display show for track/time info? Looks like it's out of sync in the one picture you posted, just curious if it syncs to the iPod display at all. The Blitzsafe displays CDC1 Disc 1 Track 99 0:00 when it's selected. __________________ MikeD 2004 A4 1.8TQM Ultra - GIAC FXK04 DSMIC \| Southbend OFE SS \| APR Stealth \| B6S4 brakes \| Neuspeed SS \| RS4 sway \| APR snub \| APR TIP(removed, in garbage) \| podi

05-17-2004, 06:09 AM	#5
SnailA4(WhaleA4) Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 2,021	Track number scrolls 1 through 9 and recycles, so no, it is not sync'd. . . .but I've now got 4,600 songs on the ipod anyway. . . .track time DOES correspond. __________________ '02 A4 1.8T Q,M,S,Bun Warmers, 20% Tint, 4 L-Coils 08/03, AMS SS & 710N BPV, SPP Fogs, Chrome Quattro Frame 12/03, Zender Spoiler 08/04, new Dunlop SP9090's 09/04 (35,000 miles), V2.0 11/24/04, another "L" coil 2/12/05, blackout grilles 2/16/05. . . .a compass in the mirror and a thing which tells time. Thumbs up to YBH for professional sales staff. Thumbs down to Rusnak for inept service department. No thumbs to Beverly Hills for stealing quarters from my ashtray and telling me to please bring 5 quarts of oil next time. One stumpy middle finger to Keyes because the minor 30k Svc took 2 effing days! Thumbs up to Desert European for professional service as it should be. Thumbs up to Downtown LA for great weekend service. Another thumbs up to Downtown LA for dealing with my coil pack issue on a weekend. I hate rowing in LA traffic! I smell melted clutch!

05-17-2004, 07:02 AM	#6
nanotech AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 4,043	Sweet, might have to upgrade __________________ MikeD 2004 A4 1.8TQM Ultra - GIAC FXK04 DSMIC \| Southbend OFE SS \| APR Stealth \| B6S4 brakes \| Neuspeed SS \| RS4 sway \| APR snub \| APR TIP(removed, in garbage) \| podi

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05-17-2004, 10:52 AM	#7
NS2000X AudiWorld Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 851	I'm glad your iPod installation went well! Happy iPodding __________________ 2003 Audi A4 3.0 QMS Black/Ebony [SOLD] \|\| 2011 M3 Sedan [Current]

05-17-2004, 11:31 AM	#8
SnailA4(WhaleA4) Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 2,021	now that i think about it because yours is connected through the dock, you are running through "line out" as well, aren't you? no cheesy headphone connection and related inferior sound quality, huh? I'm really dense and I missed that before. I don't have your mechanical abilities, either, but I DO like your install. I needed a foolproof install, like the one Landspeed offered for there VW audio system upgrade. simply plug 'n play. __________________ '02 A4 1.8T Q,M,S,Bun Warmers, 20% Tint, 4 L-Coils 08/03, AMS SS & 710N BPV, SPP Fogs, Chrome Quattro Frame 12/03, Zender Spoiler 08/04, new Dunlop SP9090's 09/04 (35,000 miles), V2.0 11/24/04, another "L" coil 2/12/05, blackout grilles 2/16/05. . . .a compass in the mirror and a thing which tells time. Thumbs up to YBH for professional sales staff. Thumbs down to Rusnak for inept service department. No thumbs to Beverly Hills for stealing quarters from my ashtray and telling me to please bring 5 quarts of oil next time. One stumpy middle finger to Keyes because the minor 30k Svc took 2 effing days! Thumbs up to Desert European for professional service as it should be. Thumbs up to Downtown LA for great weekend service. Another thumbs up to Downtown LA for dealing with my coil pack issue on a weekend. I hate rowing in LA traffic! I smell melted clutch!

05-17-2004, 04:02 PM	#9
pancho New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 14	Re: IceLink / iPod install (edited: now with text & pics) hi....where do you get the 2-connects adapter????????...thanks

05-17-2004, 04:53 PM	#10
SnailA4(WhaleA4) Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 2,021	Everything shown in the first pic ('cept ipod and watch) came together as a kit __________________ '02 A4 1.8T Q,M,S,Bun Warmers, 20% Tint, 4 L-Coils 08/03, AMS SS & 710N BPV, SPP Fogs, Chrome Quattro Frame 12/03, Zender Spoiler 08/04, new Dunlop SP9090's 09/04 (35,000 miles), V2.0 11/24/04, another "L" coil 2/12/05, blackout grilles 2/16/05. . . .a compass in the mirror and a thing which tells time. Thumbs up to YBH for professional sales staff. Thumbs down to Rusnak for inept service department. No thumbs to Beverly Hills for stealing quarters from my ashtray and telling me to please bring 5 quarts of oil next time. One stumpy middle finger to Keyes because the minor 30k Svc took 2 effing days! Thumbs up to Desert European for professional service as it should be. Thumbs up to Downtown LA for great weekend service. Another thumbs up to Downtown LA for dealing with my coil pack issue on a weekend. I hate rowing in LA traffic! I smell melted clutch!

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