Save the Jack (Aux In)

[John_H]

The problem is trying to run two sources to one destination. Having driven signals going into the powered-off outputs of the other device isn't terribly friendly to the powered-off device. The wire with connectors at each end and a connector in the middle (with the pass-through functionality I mentioned) results in neither the iPod driving the XM or the XM driving the iPod.

[jediknight36]

That shouldn't be an issue. I won't have them both plugged in at the same time. I just want a more perminate solution than swaping the jack all the time.

[John_H]

Originally Posted by jediknight36

What I wanted to do is split the aux input from behind the stereo so that I can have my XM radio always connected to it but if I want to listen to my iPod, it is connected via the glove box and I can pull it out and play it. I was hoping to do this without splicing

It appeared the XM was to be connected all the time and that when the iPod was plugged in, both would be plugged in which is why I suggested the other approach.

Originally Posted by Blitzsafe

I could offer you a few solutions with the simplest being the aux connector with 2 sets of RCAs coming out of it.

It was rexxxlo that was looking for the RCAs. jediknight - both your iPod and your XM use the glovebox compatible 3.5mm jacks?

Originally Posted by jediknight36

I won't have them both plugged in at the same time. I just want a more permanent solution than swapping the jack all the time.

But... if they're never plugged in at the same time, then what's the issue at hand? I must be missing something fundamental in the problem you're trying to solve. Is it that the plugs are in very separate locations? You physically unplug the XM?

Do you run the XM cable into the glovebox and it's there that swapping cables is tedious? Isn't the XM a semi-permanent installation?

A refresher of your situation, the problem, and the desired type of solution would be helpful.

[jediknight36]

Ok, I'll try this again:

I have an XM radio whose base is for all intents and purposes perminate. The base uses a 3/4" jack. Same as my iPod. If I want to use the radio, I have to swap the cable to the base from the ipod. When I close I up, I have to wind up the cable instead of just poping the radio in the box and locking it. I want to just pop it in and go. If I want to use the iPod, leave my xm radio in the box, or at home and use the iPod using the port in the glove box.

[John_H]

Okay, I'm getting there.

You keep the XM radio out of sight in the glovebox when it's not used. The XM radio connects its audio to the base and the base has a 3.5mm jack that goes to the AUX input. Is the cable routed into the glove box? When you're using the iPod, the XM radio isn't on its base, it's in the glove box.

Do you keep the iPod in the glove box when it is being used or do you have it out in the cabin where you can access it? What cabling do you use there?

If I had both and use them the way you appear to, I'd have the cable from the XM base go to the glove box and simply unplug there and plug in the iPod there. The cable gets inserted and extracted whenever switching between the two, no winding up of any cables required.

Please let me know where my vision is different.

[jediknight36]

I dont know how else to explain it. I dont have to have the iPod out like I do, but I like to. That is why I like the idea of a permanent cable in the base and one in the glove box. Here are two pics of what I am talking about.

[John_H]

So would the ideal situation be:

One permanent connection from base directly to radio.
One Y connection jack at the base to plug in a foot long cable from the iPod into the base.
No connection in the glove box.

?

[jediknight36]

No I want to keep the jack in the glove box. I think its cool, and that one dosnt bother me, and reminds me to lock up the iPod. Plus, with that there when I am not using anything, I dont have dangly wires.

[John_H]

The alternative I suggested had no dangly wires.

When you use your iPod you want dangly wires.

And you will never have your iPod and XM radio plugged in at the same time.


If you route the base's wire to the glovebox from underneath, all you'd need to do is unplug the XM base from the jack and plug in your iPod or vice-versa. By running the XM cable under the dash, you can make this "permanant installation" look much cleaner. When your XM is in use or stashed, the base would still look the same. It's only an issue of which input gets use of the glovebox jack: the short end of the XM cable dangling in the glovebox or the iPod cable.

[jediknight36]

Im a visual person. Can you draw me a diagram or something?