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My local Target has the Harman Kardon Drive+Play iPod adapter on clearance, marked down from $199.99 to $49.99. Of course I picked one up for my 2000 9-5 SE V6 SportWagon with the Harman Kardon AS3 sound system...
The Target packaging includes a wired FM adapter, so I went that route with the install. A quick trip to the local Best Buy netted me the two required Antennaworks cables to convert the Euro-style antenna connectors to the USA-style of the FM adapter. They aren't out on the sales floor, but the install shop had 'em and was willing to sell them to me.
Next: Radio removal. Thanks to my forerunners here on Saabnet, I knew to use a small screwdriver to pry the SID out of the center stack and disconnect it. I then inserted four finish nails into the holes in the radio headunit, unlatching it. It was easiest to remove the radio by reaching through the hole where the SID was and pushing it out from behind. I then removed the radio cage by using a small screwdriver to pry the sides of the cage loose from their catches. Said screwdriver also supplied the pressure needed to release the antenna connector's three barbs and pop it out of the cage.
I then reached in and pulled out the ACC unit, to give myself some more working room.
I removed the glove box and passenger-side kick panel, as if I were replacing the cabin air filter. I found a space behind the glovebox, toward the outside of the car, where the Drive+Play control unit could be mounted.
The Drive+Play's display unit was mounted to the right of the instrument cluster, next to the AC vent. Since I don't drive with the steering wheel raised up, this gave me plenty of visibility. I popped out the TCS switch by reaching in from the radio opening. That let me get to the switch-blank beneath the TC switch and pop IT out. A little work with a round file got me a groove in the side of the switch-blank that would accept the display cable. I routed it through the hole, across the radio bay, and into the glove box bay. I then replaced the switchblank and TCS switch.
The controller was a bit more tricky. First off, have the car someplace relatively flat, set the parking brake as hard as you can, and then turn the key to "off" and move the automatic gearshift to the rearmost position so you have room to work. I removed the center console cubby by prying up the bottom of the cubby with the small screwdriver, and then reached through to push out all of the heated-seat/ventilated-seat switches. I removed them and set them aside, taking careful note of the colors of the connectors -- they aren't keyed, and you can plug them in wrong, which won't work.
I then removed the rubber ring around the auto gearshift by prying gently. The lower center-console woodgrain trim piece is held in with two screws in the cubby opening and a set of clips toward the armrest. Prying up carefully from the armrest end pops it free. It can then be CAREFULLY maneuvered around the gearshift. Disconnect the cigarette-lighter and lock-switch wires. I then used the round file to make grooves in both the woodgrain trim piece at the cubby opening, and the cubby snap-in itself -- so that they match and neither piece has too large a groove worn in it. I ran the control wire through the opening, and used the adhesive pad to attach it just above the lock switch with the 0-degree trim ring from the kit. (Make sure you replace the transmission rubber trim ring before you install the control, or you will be sorry.)
I have a ProClips iPod holder beneath the cupholder. I was able to route the iPod cable and the cigarette-lighter cable by prying the carpet loose from the center console area and running it under, being careful to avoid the thin threaded rod that looks like it actuates some part of the cooling system. (The 9-5 HVAC doesn't need any help jamming...) I ran the cables so they emerge through the trim gap in the console. I was careful to avoid the A/C lines under the carpeted bump-out, as they get rather warm.
The control unit got attached to the rubber insulation on the firewall behind the glovebox with the included screws. It appears to hold the screws securely.
Works great, and looks pretty professional.
My one question... I used the cigarette-lighter adapter from the kit for now, mainly because it was easy. The problem is, this means the Drive+Play doesn't work when the car is off but the radio is still on. Is it safe to tap power from the radio circuit for this device, and if so, where and what wires?
posted by 74.73.25...
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