XCarLink questions, tips, tricks, and issues!

[GTMRS4]

How difficult was the install? I'm planning on doing it this weekend. What are all the different pin configurations? How did you guys set it up?

[MYFASTA4]

I don't think it's difficult, just time consuming , just be careful not to brake anything.

[GTMRS4]

So after installing my rear head rest monitors, I decided that I didn't like having the FM modulator for sound. I already had the x-carlink unit, so I ordered their MOST system. The X-carlink Most system, just allowed me to access 4 different audio inputs managing the sound directly through the stereo. It shows up as the 7th CD and once chosen you get to choose from the four options. Did not interfere with my AMI, Nav, or CD player.



Picture of DVDs playing through all the monitors in the car. Apologies for the bad photos, it was taken with my iphone. I'll be posting a DIY in a few days.

[GTMRS4]

I tapped the 16 wire with the white wire, but I can't seem to access the Xcarlink via the steering wheel. I can only access it via the nav button. I only have the av1/av2 dip switches turned on am I missing something? Also, has anyone else had problems with the module working in the cold. It seems that when my car sits outside at night, the module needs to "warm up" before I can access anything.

[promoda]

hey guys i just installed the XcarLink and added a rear view cam, but when i use it it works for like 2 seconds then it gets statics and starts freaking out... anybody know a way to fix this issue? i bought the cam from an ebay seller... is there a cam that you guys know works well?

[eboosted]

I bet you bought the US$ 60 wireless rearview cam.

I bought the Boyo wired cam and it has been working perfect so far.

[MYFASTA4]

if the other video sources are ok, i would check the camera

[TexasEric]

I keep going back and forth on doing this mod. The fact that I would have to keep swapping out AMI cables pulls me away. I installed a homemade iPhone doc and I prefer not to mess with the wire.

Incidentally, I have seen that the discount still exists with the 'AudiForum14' code.

[promoda]

No no the video picture and sound is perfect, the camera is not wireless it's connect to the stock screen via the xcarlink. I bought it on ebay....

[NJDeVsFaN]

Link to cam? How were you able to wire the cam?

[promoda]

http://http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayIS...=STRK:MEWNX:IT

I had best buy instal the whole thing for me!
, I was nervous to mess with the car myself...

[Syed_a4]

hey guys i just installed the XcarLink and added a rear view cam, but when i use it it works for like 2 seconds then it gets statics and starts freaking out... anybody know a way to fix this issue? i bought the cam from an ebay seller... is there a cam that you guys know works well?

U need additional resistor bro

[promoda]

resistor? where do I get that? how is it installed?

[promoda]

[hender]

effyeah!
dan, pics of your installed rear cam??

[promoda]

Thanx Bro!

yup

[promoda]

i ordered a new cam though, because after the car is in motion the cam starts to static freak out! to much interference... so I bought the pioneer rear view cam....

[hender]

wouldn't the cam shut off once it's in motion? or do you mean reverse-motion?

[promoda]

reverse motion...

[hender]

stupid question.
sorry.

i just wasn't sure if you meant you hear some static for whatever reason when driving forward.

[promoda]

naw its all good bro! ill post a vid later its sooo annoying !!!!!

[promoda]

installed the new cam works GREAT and pic quality is amazing!

[jan31]

hey promoda how did u connect the wires on the 6mt? i got xcarlink but i dont know how to do the connections, any help will be appreciated.

[promoda]

Hey Jan31,
honestly I had it installed by professionals, Im too nervous to play around with the electrical of the car.... sorry bro.

[Snuffy]

Here's the funny thing about this setup. For those of us with AMI, you have to have the AMI AUX-IN cable plugged into a device in order for audio to work, whereas non-AMI people do not. Now here's the kicker- AUDIO ISN'T COMING THROUGH THE AMI AUX-IN cable!!! I realized this when I had my iPod video (yellow) cable plugged in and the AMI AUX-IN cable, but no iPod audio cables. I got no sound. As soon as I plugged in the iPod red and white cables I got sound. So NJ is absolutely correct when he says he can switch video sources and not have to change his AMI AUX-IN cable. All the AMI cable is doing is telling the Audi headunit that there is AUX audio coming from SOMEWHERE which will allow uinits (with AMI) to show the "external AUX source" option.

I hope that makes sense...

Piombino: Thanks to you and everyone else for the discussion on getting audio with AMI and XCarlink. I got an xcarlink for Christmas and just installed it, only to find that the audio didn't work because of the AMI. Thanks for posting the results of your troubleshooting here.

Before I go and get the AMI AUX cable, is it possible to have the xcarlink installed but ALSO be able to charge and control my iPod using the Audi display and factory installed controls the way I did before installing the xcarlink? The main reason I bought the xcarlink was to be able to install a rear view camera, but if I am going to lose ipod charging and controlling capability through the Audi display (rather than using an iPod-to-Red, White Yellow RCA jacks and controlling it through the ipod itself in the glove compartment), I'm not sure it's worth it.

Thanks.

FYI, xCarlink has a new version of the box and new instructions (Version 3). Link to the new installation instructions is at http://issuu.com/xcarlink/docs/audi_...nstructions.v3 but for a few things, it seems like they simply used the Version 2 instructions without fully updating it for Version 3. But, they have been very good about answering my questions via email. PM me if you have Version 3 and want copies of my email exchange with them.

[NJDeVsFaN]

Whats new with version 3?

[Snuffy]

Whats new with version 3?

Slightly different connectors (AV connectors are split into 2 separate harnesses instead of 1), and no ipod wiring harness or ipod-specific connector so you have to use the Apple or scosche SneekPeek ipod to video connector. But basically it's the same as version 2.

Unfortunately that also appears to include the same audio issue if you have AMI.

[autobahnaudi]

I installed my xcarlink today everything works av1, av2, steering wheel controls.
I can't get the interface to switch to the camera view via the reverse gear.
The rearview camera I installed does work because I viewed it through AV1 and AV2.
Any one have this porblem or know how to fix it it?

[hazuremon]

Hi guys, newbie to Audizine... After spending last eights years with different BMWs, it's finally time for a change!
Going to pickup 2011 A4 Premium with S Line package in two weeks. It's Canadian specs, so not sure how much difference with US specs on packages. But I got some questions for experience group members here on XCarlink and Backup Camera option.

My B8 comes with MMI in premium package but no navi, so not sure whether I have MMI High or MMI Low... I have been reading most of XCarlink articles here, and found most people experienced audio issue with it. What audio issue will I experience with XCarLink and any solution other than AUX input? And for Backup Camera, there are tons of 3rd party one out there, which is the best backup camera? How about OEM backup camera, can it be use with XCarLink?

Thanks in advance!

[Calbee]

hi sorry to ask a question instead of answering your questions. aftermarket backup cameras, do they show up on a different monitor, or isit hooked up to the mmi screen?

[hazuremon]

hi sorry to ask a question instead of answering your questions. aftermarket backup cameras, do they show up on a different monitor, or isit hooked up to the mmi screen?

With XCarLink, you can display backup camera on MMI screen...

[Comp4k]

Without nav, you have MMI low.

[jcboiz]

For those who installed a backup camera with this xcarlink interface, did you guys have to "enable" the parking lines when reversing the car? My camera works fine, but the lines just do not show up at all. Thank you in advance!!

[eboosted]

I installed my rear backup camera and it works awesome, same as my TV receiver, morning news are much interesting now. The DVD is out, I didn't find any use for it as there was no good time to watch a DVD movie while driving to the office or to home.

The lines on my rear backup cammea are enabled by xcarlink not from the mmi itself as the source is completely different than the OEM cam

[jcboiz]

thanks for responding eboosted! Ok, now that I know its not enabled through MMI, do you remember what it was that I have to enable to get those lines? Thank you!

[eboosted]

they were automatically enabled on the xcarlink device version that I got

[jcboiz]

odd...ok...I guess I have to email support to see if they know anything..Thanks!!

[hazuremon]

Any recommendation on what backup camera to get? Seems to have tons of 3rd party out there, and does OEM backup camera work with XCarLink?

[jcboiz]

This is the one I have on my car. I heard horror stories about people who tried the wireless ones. As long as the camera is supplied with a yellow video cable that can connect to the xcarlink, then it should work with it. The only complaint about this camera is that it is quite bulky and doesn't hide as well as the factory ones. The picture is super crisp though. If you purchased the xcarlink device after august or sept of last year, you may not get the guidelines that others got in the older generation xcarlink. I sent support an email yesterday and this is what they had told me..."Whilst the manufacturers had planned to make the lines available through the interface, it is not something which had been fully developed and therefore is not available. For this reason, we had never advertised the interface as being able to do so. "

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entert...ories/CMOS-200

[hazuremon]

This is the one I have on my car. I heard horror stories about people who tried the wireless ones. As long as the camera is supplied with a yellow video cable that can connect to the xcarlink, then it should work with it. The only complaint about this camera is that it is quite bulky and doesn't hide as well as the factory ones. The picture is super crisp though. If you purchased the xcarlink device after august or sept of last year, you may not get the guidelines that others got in the older generation xcarlink. I sent support an email yesterday and this is what they had told me..."Whilst the manufacturers had planned to make the lines available through the interface, it is not something which had been fully developed and therefore is not available. For this reason, we had never advertised the interface as being able to do so. "

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entert...ories/CMOS-200

Nice, how's the quality in low light, or angle coverage?