Adding mp3 player to factory radio

[jobranch]

I have a 2001 Venture van w/o dvd system. Radio has cassette and single CD player - no premium audio. I want to attach a ipod or mp3 player to the factory radio. I can't find a aux input. How can I do this?

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by jobranch

I have a 2001 Venture van w/o dvd system. Radio has cassette and single CD player - no premium audio. I want to attach a ipod or mp3 player to the factory radio. I can't find a aux input. How can I do this?

Welcome to AF !
I was in the same situation with my Venture, having the same setup as yours. You have 2 options.
1) I went to Wal Mart and bought a cassette adapter that fits in your cassette slot. There is a wire that comes from the cassette and goes into your mp3 player. When the cassette is inserted it clicks over to your mp3 player and you can control the music via the player, and the volume through your radio controls. The cassette adapter cost me just under $10.
(I did have some issues with this so I ended using that setup in another vehicle I own.)
2) This is the setup that worked best for me. I bought an FM adapter that goes in your cigarette lighter,( oops sorry, that not the 'politically correct' term to use anymore )I mean auxiliary power outlet. You attach the other end into the mp3 player. You then find a vacant FM frequency on the radio and then use that same frequency on the transmitter. You then can listen to your mp3 player via your radio. I bought mine online from www.woot.com for around $17 plus shipping. There are other sites that sell these also.

[jobranch]

How was the sound on the cassette adapter. Guy at Best Buy said I would get tape hiss just like a cassette tape would generate. I am trying to stay away from a FM adapter because I already have one for my satellite radio.

['97ventureowner]

For some reason the cassette adapter wouldn't work in my '97, so I ended up using it my '95 Roadmaster's radio w/ cassette. I didn't notice any hiss and it sounded pretty good. The instructions for the adapter said it may not work in all radios,(something having to do w/ security or otherwise?) so that's why I used it in my other car. I might've been able to get it to work in my Venture but didn't try any further, so it may or may not work in your '01 ( in which case if you bought it and tried to see if it would work and it didn't, you could always take it back to the store for a refund.) I originally posted that option seeing as the radios in these vans may be different from year to year, and it may work for you. If all else fails, you can try the adapter to see if it works in your van, and if it does, but you don't like the sound quality, you can probably take it back for a refund also.

[mongo66]

Does anybody have the color code for the factory CD player plug? I've tried this on my 92 Buick w/ cassette(Spliced into the L&R audio lines from the cassette deck with the plug and cable from a cassette adapter); Worked beautifully !! Hit the "Aux" button on the radio and there u go.

[Ididnt[BreAK]it]

I got this from a Local Car Stereo Shop.

http://www.pie.net/pie_store/shopdis...?id=124&cat=GM

GM10-AUX 1995-2004 GM VEHICLES TO AUXILIARY AUDIO INPUT

(The GM9 Didn't work)

[Loonylani]

I used the cassette adapter in my 98 Venture and it sounded excellent. It worked fine and it was the Walmart $9 cheapo. I used this for years.
About a year ago I installed a new cd/mp3 player from Walmart and that was about $100 and very easy to install also.