[DIY] Adding Aux-In Kenwood Head Units

[deville_56]

Dedicating this to all Kenwoodians who don't have an Aux-in port in their Kenwood HU. This is connected via CD changer route.

Before starting, first check whether there is RCA Aux-in port behind the HU. If yes, if would be disabled in the menu by default. To enable it, put the HU in standby, press hold the menu button. Then comes a setting menu, scroll for AUX, select and turn ON. You just need a 3.5 mm to RCA cable. Did this in old Kenwood HU in friend's ZEN. Only issue, it will go back to default off whenever battery is disconnected.

If no, rear RCA-in proceed with this DIY. Will work with any Kenwood HU with external CD changer connector.

Items required:
1. 13-pin DIN connector (yet to find this)
2. 10k resistor
3. 3.5-mm female socket + 2-core shielded wire
OR
Cut out the female end of a 3.5mm extension cable.
4. 3.5mm-3.5mm cable

Rough pin-out diagram of the port



Connections:
Connect 10k resistor across pin 3 and 9.
Pin 6- Audio Ground
Pin 8 - Right Channel In
Pin 12 - Left Channel In


Test whether this function is working in your HU before proceeding further. Just put in a 10k resistor across pin 3 and 9.



And check whether CD-changer/External Aux-in appears in the Source Select menu.



NB: Couldn't find the required 13-pin connector, so this one is an Indian style Jugaad DIY. If you could source such a connector, solder everything into the connector.

3.5mm extension cable.



Cut away the female side and solder leads (or solder to respective pin in 13-pin connector )



10 kohm resistor (Brown-Black-Orange)



Make connections (In case of 13 pin connector, just plug in after making the required connections)



Tie it up to the HU, so that the someone wont screw up the connections later.



Place the cable end at some convenient location. (You could use the male connector here, but a hanging connector can screw up your HU, so safer to use female end and use a removable 3.5mm - 3.5mm cable)



3.5mm-3.5mm cable



Connect to your custom aux port, connect to any of your device.



Select Aux.



Enjoy




PS: For those who don't wanna take headaches, Kenwood OE Aux-CD changer adapter is available in ebay US, dealextreme, etc.

 

[rakeshkn]

wow., you are a master in DIYs. great one devil

 

[aamccarty]

deville_56,

Thank you for this incredible tutorial, I have a question regarding a similar modification but there are a few differences with my setup. If you're willing, here is my setup and if you have suggestions I would really REALLY appreciate it.


2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
Infinity Audio Stereo head P004 (MITSUBISHI P004 MR587387)
No 6 disc changer.

This is the link to a tutorial that is close to what I hoped to do. However, they have a 6 disc changer in addition to my exact set-up. So they just had to splice in the left and right and ground into the 13 pin line.

Additionally, I found a guy with a similar issue of no 6 disc changer here. He used another method to attach an audio cable directly to the 13 pin connector (which has the same pin layout as mine according to this web site.

However I've soldered my paper clips to the ends of my audio cable and plugged them in in the same was as he did here.

After plugging these into the correct holes like it shows here, I'm still unable to get my stereo into Auxiliary mode by holding down the CD button according to the tutorials I've read for my Infinity Audio Stereo head P004 (MITSUBISHI P004 MR587387).

I wonder if I might need to route a resistor into two holes similar to your setup but I can't figure out which holes.

As far as I can tell, this is your kenwood pinout, and again, this is my pinout. Can you help me determine if I need a resistor and if so which holes I should place it in?

I know this is a lot of detail but I'm just trying to help you with the work I've done so far.

If you can help me, I'd be SO grateful. If I'm in completely the wrong direction, just let me know. I am an amateur at car audio.

 

[deville_56]

deville_56,

Thank you for this incredible tutorial, I have a question regarding a similar modification but there are a few differences with my setup. If you're willing, here is my setup and if you have suggestions I would really REALLY appreciate it.


2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
Infinity Audio Stereo head P004 (MITSUBISHI P004 MR587387)
No 6 disc changer.

This is the link to a tutorial that is close to what I hoped to do. However, they have a 6 disc changer in addition to my exact set-up. So they just had to splice in the left and right and ground into the 13 pin line.

Additionally, I found a guy with a similar issue of no 6 disc changer here. He used another method to attach an audio cable directly to the 13 pin connector (which has the same pin layout as mine according to this web site.

However I've soldered my paper clips to the ends of my audio cable and plugged them in in the same was as he did here.

After plugging these into the correct holes like it shows here, I'm still unable to get my stereo into Auxiliary mode by holding down the CD button according to the tutorials I've read for my Infinity Audio Stereo head P004 (MITSUBISHI P004 MR587387).

I wonder if I might need to route a resistor into two holes similar to your setup but I can't figure out which holes.

As far as I can tell, this is your kenwood pinout, and again, this is my pinout. Can you help me determine if I need a resistor and if so which holes I should place it in?

I know this is a lot of detail but I'm just trying to help you with the work I've done so far.

If you can help me, I'd be SO grateful. If I'm in completely the wrong direction, just let me know. I am an amateur at car audio.

No idea. Rather confusing Pinouts and protocol does not look similar.

 

[kristi199]

hello , i have kenwood kdc-mv6521 and this cd player has the 13 pin port, i have bought the cable CA-C2AX but AUX is not working , when i change mode , it doesnt apper. How can i fix that or it will work if i try your DIY AUX Method. Help Me.

 

[deville_56]

hello , i have kenwood kdc-mv6521 and this cd player has the 13 pin port, i have bought the cable CA-C2AX but AUX is not working , when i change mode , it doesnt apper. How can i fix that or it will work if i try your DIY AUX Method. Help Me.

Think it would work. Just connect the resistor and see whether the aux in menu is enabled.

 

[kristi199]

Think it would work. Just connect the resistor and see whether the aux in menu is enabled.

i will try it mate , tomorow i will find the resistor and i will tell what will happen after, thanks in advance.

 

[kristi199]

its works brother , thanks thanks very much , you are a technology killer.

 

[psycohog]

Superb tutorial deville_56
i was just searching for the 13pin connector found it on Aliexpress
below is the link
Din plug 13 pin male inline audio adapter connector for atari st kenwood
US $1.6 23% OFF|Din plug 13 pin male inline audio adapter connector for atari st kenwood icom on AliExpress - 11.11_Double 11_Singles' Day
also
High Quality Car Black 13pin AUX IN Audio Cable CD changer to auxiliary MP3 Adapter lead fit For Kenwood
US $3.18 20% OFF|High Quality Car Black 13pin AUX IN Audio Cable CD changer to auxiliary MP3 Adapter lead fit For Kenwood-in Cables, Adapters & Sockets from Automobiles & Motorcycles on AliExpress - 11.11_Double 11_Singles' Day

 

[deville_56]

Superb tutorial deville_56
i was just searching for the 13pin connector found it on Aliexpress
below is the link
Din plug 13 pin male inline audio adapter connector for atari st kenwood
US $1.6 23% OFF|Din plug 13 pin male inline audio adapter connector for atari st kenwood icom on AliExpress - 11.11_Double 11_Singles' Day
also
High Quality Car Black 13pin AUX IN Audio Cable CD changer to auxiliary MP3 Adapter lead fit For Kenwood
US $3.18 20% OFF|High Quality Car Black 13pin AUX IN Audio Cable CD changer to auxiliary MP3 Adapter lead fit For Kenwood-in Cables, Adapters & Sockets from Automobiles & Motorcycles on AliExpress - 11.11_Double 11_Singles' Day

Wow. That's a great find.

 

[deville_56]

Bluetooth Addition

Our Kenwood HU was a sweet sounding unit despite its age. Aux cable became kinda obsolete and a nuisance.

Stumbled upon my old home amplifier, which I made in my +1-2 vacation, 20 years ago to be precise. It was based on old school and common 4440 IC and added a Bluetooth module at a later period.

Since it was rarely used, nicked the Bluetooth module from it. Originally stolen from @bikerharis

Fed through 7805 IC, which was already with it in the amp. First installed on the HU heat sink.

Later added a dedicated heat sink as the area of contact with HU sink was negligible.

Audio out of module connected to CD changer connector, same as the aux in connection before.

Module covered with heat shrunk sleeve and secured under the HU.

12V for the 7805 fed from the HU remote wire for amp. So, powered up only when HU is on.

Test run. Lost the video.

Done.

 

[ConstantinosG]

Hello mate,
Awesome project. I have a question, if you could answer it for me that'd be great. I got recently got my hands on a Kenwood KRC-PS959R, one of the old school Kenwood radios with the flip face. I would like to wire it up with bluetooth, but I have read somewhere that due to it being a pre 2001 model, even if I bridge the contacts with a resistor, the radio will still be waiting for a signal from the disc changer. Is it really true, and if so is there a way around it if you know any?
Thanks in advance!

 

[deville_56]

Hello mate,
Awesome project. I have a question, if you could answer it for me that'd be great. I got recently got my hands on a Kenwood KRC-PS959R, one of the old school Kenwood radios with the flip face. I would like to wire it up with bluetooth, but I have read somewhere that due to it being a pre 2001 model, even if I bridge the contacts with a resistor, the radio will still be waiting for a signal from the disc changer. Is it really true, and if so is there a way around it if you know any?
Thanks in advance!

Thanks. No clue. Only dealt with this unit.