bigmo24

I have been using a Belkin II transmitter with no problems for 1 1/2 years in my Z. For the past two weeks I haven't been able to get any stations at all with it. That time period also happens to coincide with when I got a flat tire. Are there any wires or anything that I could have messed with while removing my tire, spare, etc.? Or do you have any other suggestions on what I can try to get it to work correctly?
Thanks

Spike100

Are we talking about an FM modulator?

If so, there are two types (wired and wireless). I’m guessing yours is the directly wired type. That means your car’s antenna lead goes to the Belkin, and the Belkin’s antenna lead is connected to the HU. Of course, if anything there has become disconnected, it won’t work. Also, your Belkin is wired to two power sources (one switched via the ignition) and the other is a constant power supply. If either of these power supplies is disconnected, the system will not work.

If it is a wireless system, then the Belkin has a switch to set one of two different FM frequencies to broadcast from the Belkin to the car’s radio. If your Belkin loses it’s constant power supply (for example if you disconnected the battery for any reason), you may have to reset the broadcast selection switch.

Since I am guessing (not enough information in your post – not even sure if you are talking about an FM modulator, and if so, whether it is hardwired to the antenna or broadcasting), there may not be anything here that is useful. My thought was just to offer some suggestions that may help your investigation. --Spike

AUtigers350z

iTrader: (18)

FM transmitters are not all they are cracked up to be.. I promise if you buy a kit to hardwire your iPod to whatever brand head unit you have, you won't regret it at all. The sound quality is MUCH better & you don't have to worry about changing the stations on the transmitter. Just my $0.02

bigmo24

Sorry for being vague. I'm using the wireless. Nothing has been disconnected from the Belkin at all. I know it's definitely something to do with my car because I took my mp3 player and transmitter into my girlfriend's car and it worked perfectly.

How would I go about hardwiring something to my HU? Which kits are good?

AUtigers350z

iTrader: (18)

what kind of head unit do you have.. stock or aftermarket? and if aftermarket, what brand?

bigmo24

Pioneer

AroundMyHorn

iTrader: (9)

get rid of that transmitter now!

AUtigers350z

iTrader: (18)

Try the Pioneer CD-IB100. Should be what you're looking for. I actually used to have that same unit hooked up to my old Pioneer DEH-P6500 and it worked perfectly. Retail on it is $120.. a little more than an FM transmitter I know, but first of all you can find it online for around $60, and second it is definately worth it! Hope this helps.

usmanasif

iTrader: (4)

If your Pioneer HU accepts aux in (I had a much older model years ago and even that one did) just plug the iPod into it. End of story. Many people don't realize they have aux.

AUtigers350z

iTrader: (18)

thats another option ^.

just depends if you want to be able to integrate your ipod with your head unit or not. if its not that important to you, then going the AUX route would definately be cheaper.

bigmo24

My unit is an old one. DEH550MP I didn't mention it before because I'm slightly embarassed Hey...it looks good and I'm too lazy to change it.
My mp3 player is a Creative Zen. I'm not sure if the mentioned things above only work with an ipod.

AUtigers350z

iTrader: (18)

Ok. Yeah, the things i mentioned are definately for an iPod. For some strange reason I automatically assumed you were using an iPod haha. Check to see if your head unit has an AUX in on the back of it, and if so, you can buy a cable at Wal-Mart that will connect to your mp3.

usmanasif

iTrader: (4)

Aux input is just that, auxiliary audio input. It doesn't care what source the signal is coming from, it will just play it. DEH-P550MP is from Pioneer's Premier line and yes, it does have aux input in the back. Buy a simple cable with an audio mini plug on one end and RCA males on the other, remove the HU from the dash, plug the RCAs into its aux input, reinstall HU, plug the other end of cable into the Zen, turn on aux capability from HU's settings (usually the 'Function' button on Pioneers), then choose it as the source via the 'Source' button and that's all there's to it.

With practically no further expense, you will get an mp3 input with audio quality 10x better than your FM transmitter ever could have provided.

cpanagio

Some people just dont have the money or knowledge to hardwire an Ipod unit directly to the HU. I tried a few FM transmitters (Anything Belkin is a POS) but the best one Ive used and still use is this Scosche IUFMD. No noise, no static, no nothing. Granted it wont be cd quality but the quality is great and it works for me. I paid about $50 and considering it also charges, its a bargain.

http://www.scosche.com/scosche_ipod....2&ItemID=IUFMD

AUtigers350z

iTrader: (18)

Money is really not an issue as far as hooking the MP3 up to the RCA inputs on the back of the head unit as the cable is around $4. And as far as the knowledge goes, there are many threads on the site that have very easy to follow head unit installation guides with pictures. So hopefully he should be able to get what he wants fairly easily and inexpensively

bigmo24

I can't thank you guys enough. I bought the cable and will install it soon when it's a little warmer here in Chicago. Upset I've been using a transmitter for so long.