I'm trying to add a CD changer (Kenwood KDC-C719 with a P.I.E.
FRDR/PC-KNN interface purchased through Crutchfield) to a 2000 Ford
Taurus SES with CD changer controls on the factory dash unit. So far, I
have been through 3 of these interfaces and none of the seem to want to
work. The first interface I used would supply power to the player, but
the car's radio would not recognize the CD player (the dash unit would
show "No DJ," when pushing the CD button). The second interface that
Crutchfield sent I could tell was defective without even installing it
in the car - several of the wires in one of the the harnesses were
loose. I just went round and round with the third interface today - this
one wouldn't supply power to the CD changer, but the dash unit showed
that it was recgonizing the presence of a CD changer; and there was also
a clicking noise comming through the speakers (almost the same rythm as
a horse running) when the CD button was selected - infact while working
with the third interface, I had to go back and hook up the first
interface (the one with power but no communication) inorder to get the
CD magazine from the player).

First question, is there any hope that the Kenwood CD changer will work
with my car? I am thinking that it will and that my problems are with
these interfaces as the first interface supplied power (I could hear the
motors as the player would take in the magazine and pull out the first
CD to play) and with the third interface the radio recognized that a
player was there, but the player had no power. Will I just have to keep
trying new interfaces unitll I get one that works? (this is starting to
become a problem as I started on this project 2 weeks ago and in 2
weeks, I will be taking the car on cross country road trip, so I won't
be able to keep sending interfaces back and forth to Crutchfield for
much longer).

Second, is there another brand of interface that will work with the
Taurus and the Kenwood CD changer? Obviously, I am thinking that the
company (Precision Interface Electronics, IIRC from the box) that makes
these interfaces has some serious QC issues.

Third, if I can't get the Kenwood to work, are there any other brands of
CD changer that I could try that can be connected to the factory stereo
(and not the type that use RF modulators to play through an FM
frequency)?

Thanx,

Paul

Just food for thought.....

You do realize that if you had paid the same price
at a local car audio shop, you would have been done
by now?

Crutchfield is no cheaper then any local store should be.
Having someone to talk to, face to face, is a much better
option.






I'm trying to add a CD changer (Kenwood KDC-C719 with a P.I.E.
FRDR/PC-KNN interface purchased through Crutchfield) to a 2000 Ford
Taurus SES with CD changer controls on the factory dash unit. So far, I
have been through 3 of these interfaces and none of the seem to want to
work.

In article , UPS_SUCKS!
@slower_traffic_get_to_the_right.com says...
First question, is there any hope that the Kenwood CD changer will work
with my car? I am thinking that it will and that my problems are with
these interfaces as the first interface supplied power (I could hear the
motors as the player would take in the magazine and pull out the first
CD to play) and with the third interface the radio recognized that a
player was there, but the player had no power. Will I just have to keep
trying new interfaces unitll I get one that works? (this is starting to
become a problem as I started on this project 2 weeks ago and in 2
weeks, I will be taking the car on cross country road trip, so I won't
be able to keep sending interfaces back and forth to Crutchfield for
much longer).

Did you follow this procedure to get the RCU to recognize the changer?
1: Turn the car on (or ACC)
2: Set the radio to AM or FM (not TAPE)
3: Turn the radio OFF (push volume knob)
4: Turn the car OFF
5: Turn the car back ON (or ACC)
6: Turn the radio ON
7: Try the CD button


Second, is there another brand of interface that will work with the
Taurus and the Kenwood CD changer? Obviously, I am thinking that the
company (Precision Interface Electronics, IIRC from the box) that makes
these interfaces has some serious QC issues.

Third, if I can't get the Kenwood to work, are there any other brands of
CD changer that I could try that can be connected to the factory stereo
(and not the type that use RF modulators to play through an FM
frequency)?

I have an AudioVox unit in my 2000 Sable. It's a 10-disk changer, and
works fine. Other than an occasional NO DJ message (fixed by following
above procedure), it works fine. I bought it from www.autotoys.com.

Did you already have the changer and just wanted an adapter, or did you
buy both at the same time?

--
If there is a no_junk in my address, please REMOVE it before replying!
All junk mail senders will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the
law!!
http://home.att.net/~andyross

"Andrew Rossmann" wrote in message
ews.com...

Did you follow this procedure to get the RCU to recognize the
changer?
1: Turn the car on (or ACC)
2: Set the radio to AM or FM (not TAPE)
3: Turn the radio OFF (push volume knob)
4: Turn the car OFF
5: Turn the car back ON (or ACC)
6: Turn the radio ON
7: Try the CD button

I followed something similar that Crutchfield e-mailed me when I tried
the first installation.


Did you already have the changer and just wanted an adapter, or did
you
buy both at the same time?

I bought them both @ the same time. But given the problems with these
PIE adapters, I am curious as to if anyone else makes these type of
adapters.

In article , no_bonesmen_in_'04
@the_face_on_mars.com says...

"Andrew Rossmann" wrote in message
ews.com...

Did you follow this procedure to get the RCU to recognize the
changer?
1: Turn the car on (or ACC)
2: Set the radio to AM or FM (not TAPE)
3: Turn the radio OFF (push volume knob)
4: Turn the car OFF
5: Turn the car back ON (or ACC)
6: Turn the radio ON
7: Try the CD button

I followed something similar that Crutchfield e-mailed me when I tried
the first installation.


Did you already have the changer and just wanted an adapter, or did
you
buy both at the same time?

I bought them both @ the same time. But given the problems with these
PIE adapters, I am curious as to if anyone else makes these type of
adapters.

Can you return what you have? AutoToys has the 10-disk for $234.95
(changer with adapter.) A 6-disk is $229, and a used 6-disk is $167.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?E10F21719
(Original long link below)
http://www.autotoys.com/x/catalog/OE..._PLUG_IN_CHANG
ERS_REGULAR_FORD_CHANGERS_NON_MP3_FORD_CHANGERS_FD R_page_1_c_115.html


Even though the dash display says disk 1-6, it will actually work with
any number of disks.

--
If there is a no_junk in my address, please REMOVE it before replying!
All junk mail senders will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the
law!!
http://home.att.net/~andyross