iPod in 2001 Alero?

[RebelScum]

I drive a 2001 Alero 4-door, with factory sound system (AM/FM/CD, no cassette). I just got an iPod a few weeks ago, and want to listen in the car.

I bought an XtemeMac AirPlay FM transmitter (similar to iTrip, but according to iLounge.com , it's better). It works, but the sound quality isn't that great. The main problem is constant background hiss. I've tried many stations, and it's always there.

So now I'm starting to look at better solutions. But it seems like every site that sells kits that let your iPod interface with your car stereo, has the interface for the 99-2000 Alero, and the 03-04 Alero, but not 2001-02. Why is this? I would even settle for an Aux-in or wired FM modulator solution, but none of these seem to be available. I wanted to avoid buying a whole new receiver, but is this my only option if I want something better than the wireless FM transmitter?

I don't know much about car audio, but have been trying to research it. Just in need of some guidance. Thanks!

[PotIsYourFriend]

ever thought of buying a new radio? They're really not that expensive.. And yes there really is no great hookup to a factory radio.. The fm transmitters are really ghetto and the sound will never be cd quality.....

[RebelScum]

Thought about it, but I was hoping I could do it without spending so much. The hookup to the iPod is already like $150 or more, and a good stereo would be easily more than that. Then installation... ugh, I've never done it, and I don't know if I want to deal with the stress. So I'd probably end up paying someone to do it... it all adds up. I'm not an audio nut, and the factory stereo is fine for me, except the inability to accept an iPod input.

Plus, doesn't the factory stereo have some special tie-in to the car's systems, that won't be there if I switch stereos?

[PotIsYourFriend]

Yes but I changed radios and nothing happened... 150 for a hookup... Man IPODS I way to expensive in every way it seems.. Good luck...

[nlnlnl]

RebelScum and others...

I myself have run into this problem before in my 2001 Alero. The only way that I have found to remedy the situation is to adjust the iPod volume. If you hear static, usuallythe iPod volume is turned up to load. If you lower the volume on it and increase it on your car radio it, clears things up a bit. Some songs are clearer at a higher or lower iPod volume than others. This reason I am not quite sure of. Try it. Hopefully this helps. Let me know what you come up with.

nlnlnl

[JTrujillo86]

go to pfyc.com...they have a somewhat expensive but cool hook-up...the only year that its NOT compatable with is 2002...

Jeremy

[RebelScum]

nlnlnl, thanks, but I have done that. If the audio is too distorted, I turn the volume down until it clears up. But that doesn't get rid of the hiss.

JTrujillo86, it looks like the PAC iPod Connection Interface on pfyc.com is compatible with neither the 2001 nor the 2002.

[cficare68]

Too bad you don't have an aftermarket deck with an Aux input. Cause they make a cable that has an RCA hookup at one end and then a headphone hook up at the other end, a got one made by monster cable for 20 bucks and hooked it up in my eclipse and it worked great

[RebelScum]

Yes, that is too bad

Update: I went ahead and bought an FM modulator from Crutchfield. This is different from a plain old FM transmitter like iTrip. This actually connects in between your antenna and stereo, and then transmits on an FM station, but the sound should be a lot cleaner, since it's connecting directly to the stereo. I had one on my old car (the CD changer used it), and it worked fine for me: I never heard any hiss or background noise, and the sound was great!

I haven't received this yet (may be as early as tomorrow, since I'm close to Crutchfield's HQ, in VA), but when I do, and once I get it installed, I'll post an update!

BTW, here's what I got from Crutchfield:

ITEM # - ITEM - NOTES
142FMMOD01 - Scosche FM-MOD01 ($29.99) - The Modulator itself
12040GM21 - GM Antenna Adapter (Free w/ order) - They threw these in free
12040GM10 - GM Antenna Adapter (Free w/ order) - "
18187650 - S&G Tool Aid 87650 ($9.99) - Door trim & panel removal tool
043183190 - Arista 18-3190 ($4.99) - Stereo mini-jack to 2 RCA Adaptor cable (realized too late I didn't need this, as it comes with the modulator)
119AICHG2 - Monster Cable AICHG2IP ($39.99) - iCharger - iPod car charger w/ line out (cleaner signal than headphone jack)

TOTAL COST w/shipping & tax (I live in VA) = $95.20

I could have saved $5 by not getting the extra mini-jack to RCA converter, but I didn't realize it until it was on its way. But the extra one is 6', and the one that comes with the modulator is only 3' long, so maybe the extra length will come in handy.

I also maybe didn't need the $10 panel removal tool, but I've never done this before, and I just wanted to be safe and not risk breaking anything.

I also could have possibly saved some $$ on the charger/line out solution, by just using the headphone jack and a cheap $10 charger. But the quality should be cleaner out of the line-out from the bottom of the iPod, instead of the amplified signal from the headphone jack.

They also threw in for free the Crutchfield MasterSheet for my car, which supposedly has detailed installation instructions tailored for your vehicle, so even a beginner (like me!) can do it easily!

Ok, well, I'll post back soon (hopefully) with how it turns out!

['01_Alero]

I have a 2001 Alero and I too have an iPod and it is hooked up to the car. All I used was this trasmitter called iMonster I believe and the quality of the music is great, definitely cd quality. Of course, i might have modified the music in iTunes, but I definitely can't argue about the quality. However, I do download some music from the internet and that does seem to affect the quality, it comes out sounding kinda shaky and whatnot.........if I get around to it, I'll post some pictures up of my iPod and iMonster.

[RebelScum]

'01, I've never heard of an "iMonster" but I'd be surprised if you're getting "CD quality" from a wireless FM transmitter. Please do post pics of your setup, or at least check on the name of your transmitter. Thanks.

As for me, I finally got a chance to install my new FM modulator, and it's great! Definitely much better than what I was getting from the AirPlay. There is still a negligible amount of background hiss, but overall it's very clear! There might be some things I can do to clear that up, like making sure the charger is grounded as well, or installing a GLI (ground loop isolator). It wasn't as easy as I expected it would be, though Here are some things I learned that may be helpful to others who are new to this:

• Do it during the day, if possible, when there's still sunlight. Otherwise, you'll burn flashlight batteries. Also, Crutchfield Tech Support is only open from 8am to midnight Eastern time, so if you bought from them, it's nice to have their free tech support available.
• Make sure you have a ratchet set with 7mm and 8mm heads. 8mm lets you disconnect your battery's negative plug (1st step of the process), and the 7mm is necessary to remove the stereo. The 8mm will not work! My ratchet set didn't have a 7mm, and the next one down was too small, so I had to use a pair of pliers, and it was a sloooow process!
• To get power and ground, you'll have to splice into the wires in the factory stereo's plug. The orange wire at B1 is power (constant), and the black wire a few over from it is ground. (All this I got from Crutchfield's tech support!) There is no switched power wire, unfortunately (that would turn it off when ignition is off, to save the battery). As it is, you'll have to remember to switch off the modulator every time you get out of the car, unless it's for a short time. I'm not sure how long it would take to drain the battery, but I wouldn't want to go on vacation and leave it on the whole time. For splicing, you have a few options: cut the wire and solder into it, if you have the tools (best); Cut the wire and crimp it using a crimp cap; or use a wire tap-in (Radio Shack Part # 64-3052), which is the easiest. I used the wire tap-ins and they worked fine. Very easy, but I suggest folding the exposed end of the wire from the modulator over, so it fits all the way in the tap-in. So, if the wire looks like this: =======---- <- fold this part over, or cut it off. Otherwise the wire won't stay in the tap-in.
• The door trim/panel removal tool did come in handy for removing the panel around the stereo/AC part of the dash.
• The factory stereo did have two antenna inputs in the back, one for GM, and one for I guess the standard. I was able to plug the modulator directly in without the adaptors, but decided to go with the adaptors anyway, since when I'm using this, I want it to override the outside antenna for that station.

Well, that's about all I can think of for now. Hope this helps! If you think of any questions, post here and I'll answer if I can.

['01_Alero]

Originally Posted by RebelScum

'01, I've never heard of an "iMonster" but I'd be surprised if you're getting "CD quality" from a wireless FM transmitter. Please do post pics of your setup, or at least check on the name of your transmitter. Thanks.

As for me, I finally got a chance to install my new FM modulator, and it's great! Definitely much better than what I was getting from the AirPlay. There is still a negligible amount of background hiss, but overall it's very clear! There might be some things I can do to clear that up, like making sure the charger is grounded as well, or installing a GLI (ground loop isolator). It wasn't as easy as I expected it would be, though Here are some things I learned that may be helpful to others who are new to this:

Ok, a couple of things. First off, I checked and its not called "iMonster" but just simply "Monster" and secondly, it is not wireless, I don't know if i missed that part above where it said wireless but what I am using is not wireless and kind of ghetto considering I am an up and coming teenager myself. As far as pics go, that'll have to be tomorrow, my phone which I was going to use to take pictures is low on battery right now.......