XCarLink questions, tips, tricks, and issues!

[jcboiz]

The quality is pretty good in my opinion. Our reverse lights work quite well. Depending on where you mount it, I mounted it just to the left of the right license plate bulb. You won't be able to see either sides of the bumper. I mainly use it to see how much distance I have from my center bumper and the object. I assume if you mount it more to towards the left or right, you MAY see part of the left or right bumper...

[hazuremon]

Just did some searching, quite expensive for CMOS-200, cheapest one I found is $150...
I am justifying whether I need to see the corner with the camera... But having live with parking sensor for the past three years and moving to a car without it, makes me like a new driver on parallel parking...

[jcboiz]

Yea, that was about how much I paid for mine. I was hoping to see the guidelines for parking, but unfortunately the company has been quite IFFY about it. Had I known I was going to have issues with these issues with it, I might have thought twice about it. I've probably spent 400 bucks on the whole set up...I guess you get what you pay for.

[hazuremon]

Just placed an order for XCarLink... hopefully it arrives the same time I pick up my B8... now need to do some research on backup camera...

[pierbout]

Hello everybody,

For those of you who have factory bluetooth their car, could you please tell me how your xcarlink react when you are watching a video and you receive a phone call ? Does the MMI automatically displays the phone number and cuts the sound of the video?

I have a MMI high with navigation and might buy a xcarlink (mainly to add a camera but maybe also for for a car pc)

Thanks

[eboosted]

Hello:
I just installed the kufatec bluetooth device on my car, it works awesome! I was very regreted that I didn't choose the bluetooth option when I first purchased ther car, the option was too expensive. Now it works perfect and I also have the xcarlink.

When I receive a call the audio is automaticaly set to mute, no matter what audio setting you have, it just goes off.

[eboosted]

Just bought a xcarlink and saw your installation posting, and have quite some questions in mind. Hopefully you can help me out!

For the rear camera, do you have any recommendation on which one to get? Will OEM one works in XCarlink? And I can't seem to find any installation procedure for rear camera...

I also found some posting regarding audio with xcarlink. My B8 comes with audi music interface but no navi, do I need special cable for audio to work? I probably will go with an iPhone for GPS, music and video.

I first installed a rear wireless backup cam from ebay, worst crap ever!!!

I then went with this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Boyo-VTL300C-A...704293&sr=8-10



I'm quite happy now!!!

The installing instructions aren't difficult at all, but you will need to wire two cables from the rear cam to the xcarlink device, it took me 20 minutes to do it, the first wire is for the video signal and the second one from the rear backup light to switch sources on the xcarlink

On MMI cars, with or without navi, you will need to buy a special audi cable in order to get audio signal.

http://www.audi-collection.ru/shop/i...?productID=712

[hazuremon]

Great info eboosted! What does the cable suppose to do, and anywhere else to get this then Russia? Thanks again!!

[pierbout]

When I receive a call the audio is automaticaly set to mute, no matter what audio setting you have, it just goes off.

That's good news!!! Thank you.

[Snuffy]

Just curious: Did anyone else who purchased an xcarlink get an unsolicited bill from TNT Express for Customs and Handling Fees, totaling $37.68? I looked through the paperwork I got from xcarlink and on their web site, and I didn't see anything about these charges anywhere. Additionally, I'm planning to return my xcarlink (because of the ipod charging/controls conflict--see Post #88 above), and TNT told me that it didn't matter if the item was being returned. I still had to pay.

While I'm waiting for return instructions, please PM me if you want to buy my xcarlink and camera and save yourself customs fees.

[danko]

I found a guy in Ukraine who makes touchscreen interface for Garmin GVN53 navigation.. He charges $240 (~180 euros) for controller&7" touch panel.

Here is how it looks and how it connects to the navi:


PM me for details.

[Snuffy]

I posted this on the other B8 Xcarlink, but after installing my xcarlink and discovering that because I have the AMI (but no MMI), using the xcarlink means that I lose all control capability of my ipod/iphone from the center stack and steering wheel, plus I can't charge it up. That's not really worth it to me, so at this point I'm planning to return the unit.

The other thing that's frustrating about dealing with xcarlink (besides their sending the wrong instructions and MANY MANY emails back and forth trying to get tech support) is that I got hit with customs fees $37.68 from TNT Express on top of the roughly $60 I paid for shipping and handling. And even though the xcarclink web site mentions nothing about the customs fees, they refuse to pick up the tab. So any way I look at it, I'm going to be out about $100 bucks on shipping and customs fees, and that's ONLY if xcarlink gives me a full refund. (They are threatening to take a 30% restocking fee as well.)

Bottom line: If anyone is looking to buy an xcarlink, please PM me.

[TexasEric]

So any way I look at it, I'm going to be out about $100 bucks on shipping and customs fees, and that's ONLY if xcarlink gives me a full refund. (They are threatening to take a 30% restocking fee as well.)

May be worth putting up on ebay.

[GTMRS4]

I love my xcarlink, it plays video through my screen very well, except for the really cold mornings, when it takes some time to warm up. With that said, if I take long rides, i've noticed some imaged degradation with green blocks here and there. Has anyone else experienced this?

[liberty603]

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

how much did installation cost?

[ZLC022]

Hello ANYONE, SOMEONE - I have huge issue and need urgent help please...

I have connected my interface with rearview camera, works well and switches when car in revers... I have since the install come across the following issues:

1) My Bluetooth Car Cellphone has lost it's Audio... works great with selecters and can dial and answer, but no AUDIO

2) No Audo from any devices connected to the AV inputs on xcarlink.... Video plays well and stable

3) After about 30 seconds rolling white lines apear when car in reverse... it's starts off perfect picture, then the lines - about 2 - 3 cm- apart, starts rolling from the bottom...

Any help please...

thanks

Z

[94jdh]

Do you have AMI? If so I seem to remember from reading posts here you have to have the AUX in plugged in on the car but not connected to anything to enable the audio, on this link perhaps:

http://m.audizine.com/forum/showthre...ge6?styleid=12

[ZLC022]

Mybe I am bit dumb when it comes with these things, but I dont really understand??? The way I understand is that I need something from the interface to the AUX jack in the center arm rest console, that when I switch to the interface by holding the MODE button in for + 2 seconds, that it will play sound on what I have connected?

[94jdh]

No your not dumb! My understanding is if you have AMI you need the Aux in plugged in (but not connected to iphone/media player) to activate the sound, see here:

Originally Posted by NPuter:
wait - I'm confused....

I thought you guys were using an AMI 3.5mm aux in cable for audio - doesn't that bypass X-carlink for audio...

Or are you guys connected the red/white composite audio cables the the x-carlink inputs then connecting its 3.5mm audio out to ami?

Why don't you guys try using something like this to bypass x-carlink for audio:
http://www.computercablestore.com/5_...ab_PID457.aspx
The AMI Aux input isn't necessary for audio, but it is necessary to "activate" the Aux input option (if that makes sense to you). In other words say you have an iPod plugged into the XCarLink unit via the composite Apple cable. Without the AMI Aux cable you will get video but no audio. With the AMI Aux cable you'll get both, but you don't even need the AMI Aux cable plugged into the iPod. It's weird, but it basically activated the Aux audio option in the "MMI" that will then allow the audio to go through the XCarLink unit.

I don't have mine yet, but this is the best info I can find from here

[ZLC022]

Thanks man, I appreciate you're helping here, the link no longer exists, if they have name of the cable or connector I can try and search for it.

[94jdh]

Thanks man, I appreciate you're helping here, the link no longer exists, if they have name of the cable or connector I can try and search for it.

I think reading it, you need the Audi AMI Aux cable from the dealer

[MYFASTA4]

Yes you need the aux cable , that way the radio will register the source of audio, you can disable the rear cam on the xcarlink so it's nit looking for it when on reverse.

[ZLC022]

Hi guys, so I finally got the whole thing sorted... if you have factory fitted BLUETOOTH setup in your car, make sure that when installing xcalink, the original harness that goes into the back of your radio, will have a blue and a green adapter that will not be connected anywhere when you connect it to the supplied harness from xcarlink... take those connecter off from the original harness and connect it to the new harness from the xcarlink supplied... simply connect back to your radio and it's all done...

cheers

[hazuremon]

Hi eboosted,

Still haven't install my xCarLink, but got a couple questions for you


What's that black socket board?


Is this shot taken from the glove box taken out? So xcarlink box is hidden in the pillar between glove box and stereo?

Thanks again!

[pierbout]

On MMI cars, with or without navi, you will need to buy a special audi cable in order to get audio signal.
http://www.audi-collection.ru/shop/i...?productID=712

Are you shure that this cable is for any MMI? According to the reference, it seems that it is for the AMI (Audi Music Interface). You can also see it here:
http://cgi.ebay.de/Audi-4F0051510F-A...-/140520949122
http://cgi.ebay.pl/Audi-3-5mm-Klinke...-/280519736265
http://audi.dealerfit.com/store/audi...1151_32115.php

[MYFASTA4]

Hi eboosted,

Still haven't install my xCarLink, but got a couple questions for you


What's that black socket board?


Is this shot taken from the glove box taken out? So xcarlink box is hidden in the pillar between glove box and stereo?

Thanks again!

if i recall correctly, mine didnt have the board on the back

[pierbout]

if i recall correctly, mine didnt have the board on the back

The black socket board is to protect the cable and avoyd it to unplug. And the second photo is indeed the inside of the pillar, when the glove box is removed.

[hazuremon]

Thanks pierbout, but I wonder where the black socket board is since the other two pictures prior to it doesn't have that...

[NJDeVsFaN]

The black board was the first version of xcarlink. The newest version only has a cable connecting the screen to the xcarlink box.

[hazuremon]

Finally got xcarlink installed today, but have some trouble with BT... wondering if anyone has that problem...

I have AMI (ipod interface) and factory BT, but after installing xcarlink, my BT audio fails to work... It connected my phone and switched to Phone interface, but there is no sound coming from speaker... I tried voice control as well but has no audio confirmation after I cancelled it...

I haven't install the Aux cable in AMI yet, will that be the reason for BT and voice control has no sound?

[autobahnaudi]

Do you have mmi or radio?
If Radio on back the can bus the big square block. This is the best pic I would find

You 2 smaller blocks that go in the bottom you need to remove them from the orignal can bus block that came out of the radio and was hooked to the xcarlink one and then install them in the new xcarlink block on the radio it self.
I try and clarify with pics later in a rush right now.

[hazuremon]

Thanks autobahnaudi, I have the big square block similar to eboosted one.


I think I understand what you mean. So I need to transfer the smaller blocks from original to xcarlink block? Any re-wiring require or more like plug and play removal?

[MYFASTA4]

how did you do the install?

[autobahnaudi]

Alright Pins 1,2 and 7 are for audio from ami I believe might be wrong.
So The Green and Blue blocks that you see in the second picture are the smaller blocks I was talking about. These must be removed from the can bus that came out of the radio and installed into the xcarlink's can bus then back into the radio.
The Xcarlink can bus wire harness does not take these 2 blocks into account there can bus is blank where the 2 blocks should be.
They provide the sound for the telephone and ami. I had this problem on my first xcarlink install.
Easy fix
See if that works for you.

[autobahnaudi]

Thanks autobahnaudi, I have the big square block similar to eboosted one.

I think I understand what you mean. So I need to transfer the smaller blocks from original to xcarlink block? Any re-wiring require or more like plug and play removal?

All plug and play but you will have a lot less wire to move around makes putting the radio back in a little harder as the wire get very tight.

[hazuremon]

Thanks autobahnaudi...

I will give it a try!

I also sent a request to xcarlink on the problem, and they have the same reply as you... They also mentioned to transfer fibre optical cables if they exist (green and black cable in picture.)

[vitchie]

I received the XCarLink unit today and attempted to install it. First I just connected a video source and not the rear view camera, it worked like a dream. Next I connected the rear view camera and when I switched the head unit on, I saw a spark inside the XCarLink unit and there was some smoke as well. The fuse was blown. I disconnected the rear view camera, replaced the fuse, but now it just keeps fuses. The camera’s power cable (red) was connected to the green cable on the xcarlink unit marked Camera +12v.
What is the procedure to follow? Shipping back to the UK will take quite a while and cost quite a bit. Wonder if a local electronics shop can fix it (and lose my warranty, I know) or should I ship it back to them?
I have not opened the unit, warranty seal is still in place, but if there is a change of fixing it locally I don’t mind paying someone here. Having to deal with SA customs is a nightmare.

I wish they will update the instructions as it clearly is meant for a previous version of the product and doesn’t match up with the unit provided.

[hazuremon]

Vitchie, what backup camera are you using?

I have my xcarlink installed yesterday too, haven't proceed on my backup camera. Would like to know whether the camera power cable should go with the green cable on xcarlink or should go to car's fuse box... Since I thought the green cable is more like reverse detection cord and not for power...

I got kenwood cmos-200, see page 6 of below documents on the wiring...
http://images.kenwood.eu/files/prod/...0_300_(EN).pdf

[vitchie]

Vitchie, what backup camera are you using?

I have my xcarlink installed yesterday too, haven't proceed on my backup camera. Would like to know whether the camera power cable should go with the green cable on xcarlink or should go to car's fuse box... Since I thought the green cable is more like reverse detection cord and not for power...

I got kenwood cmos-200, see page 6 of below documents on the wiring...
http://images.kenwood.eu/files/prod/...0_300_(EN).pdf

I got the camera that they include in the kit.

[NJDeVsFaN]

How did you wire the backup cam so that it to looks OEM (without wires showing)?