iPod Adapter in '08 Successfully!!

[Stealth]

Big thanks to Dan at Viper Specialty Performance for getting me the RB1 and iPod adapter AND for walking the confused Viper Tech though some of the hook up.

I have not figured out all functions yet, but the nav works great and so does the iPod!!

They ended up putting the iPod in the glove box which was fine with me. Most functions seem to run off the RB1.

I also swapped in the Polk door speakers others have used at the same time.

So, this should answer the question regarding use of this iPod adapter in the '08 Vipers.

I really do not have more details on the install, etc. so please send an email/PM to Dan of VSP with any technical details(I think he is "Final GTS" on this board).

I am just relieved that everything works!

 

[wallbanger]

sounds good.. did u use the db650 or the DB651s speakers?

 

[Stealth]

sounds good.. did u use the db650 or the DB651s speakers?

DB651s per your recommendation!

 

[Viper Specialty]

Haha... I am "the artist previously known as Final GTS"

[though its still [email protected]!]


No problem at all Ted, glad to hear it worked out as it should have.

If at all possible, can you post up what type of iPod you have, and the software version the iPod is currently running? Its just a hunch, but I think some of the recent iPod troubles may be related to the iPod/Software type, as it has happened once before, quite some time ago on a different, older style interface system.

For reference, we have had success running the Gen-5 iPod, iPod Photos, the 2nd Generation iPod Mini, and 2nd Generation iPod Nano. I dont think we have ever tried an iPod Video however.

Thanks again,

 

[Stealth]

FYI, my iPod is the 30 GB iPod "Classic" model with a 2.5" video screen. I have 1600 or so songs on it. It is about 2 years old. I have no idea what software it runs. It plays songs--this is all I know!

With Dan's adapter, many, many iPod functions are available using the RB1 head unit. This includes display of artist and song and at least 6 buttons on the RB1: Scan, which appears to find other songs by the same Artist; a PYT or something selection that finds more songs of the same genre, play lists (which I do not have) and the five channel preset buttons that each have an iPod function.

If you have even basic knowledge of an iPod, then this adapter makes any CD changer obsolete--why mess with 6 CDs when you can have thousands of songs available? Maybe your Viper comes with a crate to store all of the CD cases and CDs! Mine did not.

The RB1 is also an OEM 1.5 Din size which means it fits perfectly and flush in the dash--it does not require cutting the console which you MUST do for a 2.0 Din aftermarket unit (and that would look very claustraphobic on the dash btw) or a 1.0 Din aftermarket unit which will require a dash kit that will look average at best in an expensive car. The 1.0 kits will also have a mechanical fold out screen and this not something I really wanted in the tight, high G-force confines of my Viper cockpit. It would only be a matter of time before it was snapped off. However, if you must have touch screen capability, blue tooth features and watch DVDs in your car, I understand! Those are not really functions I need in a nav unit.

Just in case you are wondering, I did not receive any economic consideration of any type from any vendor for this thread; I paid market prices for the RB1 and iPod adapter.

 

[CitySnake]

Dan's now "The RB1 Wizard". We have a lot of wizards in the NY/CT Region!

 

[Viper Specialty]

Dan's now "The RB1 Wizard". We have a lot of wizards in the NY/CT Region!

Haha, I have been the RB1 and iPod Wizard since the beginning!

-First to put an RB1 in a Viper: Way back in Summer '04!
-First to put Sirius Sat Radio in a Viper: Way back in Summer '04
-First to put a generic iPod Controller in a Viper: Winter '04
-First to put a Mopar ipod Controller in a Viper: Summer '05
-First to put an iPod Controller in a 2008: Winter '08

[tooting own horn]

While lost through the "ages", I was the one who came up with all the mounting locations, install instructions, found all the wiring/software issues in early versions, etc...
[/tooting own horn]

 

[mjf6175]

Dan....I tried calling you a couple of times during the week after speaking with Ted. When is a good time to get you this coming week? Hopefully you can fill me (and Chuck)in on how to get my ipod adapter to work. Just so you know, Chuck is saying that just connecting the adapter up to the RB1 (brand new from Dodge) and my viper goes dead. The ipod is not even hooked up when it happens. I trust the "RB1 Wizard" has the answer.

 

[Viper Specialty]

Dan....I tried calling you a couple of times during the week after speaking with Ted. When is a good time to get you this coming week? Hopefully you can fill me (and Chuck)in on how to get my ipod adapter to work. Just so you know, Chuck is saying that just connecting the adapter up to the RB1 (brand new from Dodge) and my viper goes dead. The ipod is not even hooked up when it happens. I trust the "RB1 Wizard" has the answer.

Hello,

You must not have left a message, I was out of the country all week long, but was returning messages while I was gone.

In your case, I would prefer to walk through the install and try to isolate the component causing the problem. There are certainly a couple bad iPod kits running around, but no one has yet isolated the component causing the problem. It could very well be a cable issue, an ipod software problem (not in your case if it does it with the iPod disconnected), another component plugged in causing the problem, or even a wiring harness mistake from the factory.

If it comes down to it, if you really want this figured out, I can try and plan a trip down to Tators and have a look at your car myself.

Perhaps two "Wizards" can make a Right.

 

[mjf6175]

Dan...I didn't leave a message, figured you took some time off with the holiday and did not want to bother you then. Thought I wait a couple of days till you got back. I will call you Tuesday if that is alright. The best bet would be to have the two Wizards talk on the phone about the install and come up with a way to isolate whatever it is that's causing the problem.

 

[Viper Specialty]

Dan...I didn't leave a message, figured you took some time off with the holiday and did not want to bother you then. Thought I wait a couple of days till you got back. I will call you Tuesday if that is alright. The best bet would be to have the two Wizards talk on the phone about the install and come up with a way to isolate whatever it is that's causing the problem.

Chuck and I have actually already talked regarding your car, though we didnt really get into isolating the problem. If you are going to bring your car to Chuck, let me know when and we will try to be prepared, perhaps with an extra iPod kit or the like for testing.

 

[Nsane1]

There are a few threads on IPOD adapter problems in the 08s. I've had mine running successfully in my RAH equipped 08 for several months. Then, out of the blue, everything in the dash went wacky, bad gauges, idiot lights, etc etc. Now, my dealer is saying this part number (82209616ac) is not allowed in vipers, and to get another (looking for this "new" part). The problem is they are going to look to me to pay for all this diagnostic time and a "new" part. I simply followed the advice of the forum, the parts guy at wyckoff, and now I might be hosed. Anyone have a clue?

 

[Joe Dozzo]

Maybe we can get Dan to do a Western swing! - just kidding Dan!

My car (08 SRTC) also had problems (similar but yet different, mine caused a problem from the start) with the iPod adapter and I got the same response from Dodge. Swapping / diagnostics have all been on my nickel and it's still not clear to me why it works in some cars and not others.

To Dan's credit, he's offered to let me send the adaptor back for full credit. Kinda unusual in the electronics world.

There is at least on car in CO that suffered the symptoms you describe WITHOUT the iPod adapter. Faulty dash unit was replaced...

 

[Viper Specialty]

In this case, I am leaning towards something in the iPod kit going south. This is certainly the first case I have ever heard of where it worked, and then suddenly stopped working after such a long period of time.

We still have 100% success rates in 03-06 cars [save the couple kits which were actually bad out of the box a year or so ago], and 08+ cars are about 80% success- though to date they all have either worked, or not- none have "gone offline" some time later.

By chance, did you happen to update your iPod software or get a new ipod recently? Since this is all related to a software glitch, it is possible that could be related like with the other non-mopar old-school interfaces?

 

[Nsane1]

Dan- thanks for taking my call earlier... I have never even had an ipod plugged into this thing, I use the aux side with my blackberry. And as a matter of fact, I haven't plugged it in in several weeks, so it's definately in the Ipod kit. I threw it back in the dealer's lap, they insist I use part number 82210181AB (which doesn't have an aux in so it's worthless for me). I told them either get me a new ipod kit, or close it up without it. This blows. Who knows what this is going to cost me.

 

[albinonile]

would changing the head unit out to an ipod ready head eliminate all these electrical gremlins?

 

[Nsane1]

I would think so... Since all this is subject to the electronic bus that's in there, severing this bus connection would probably elminate all this. But to me, it's not worth it... So, they're closing it up, so I'm out at least $500 so far! UGH