CDR Sam

MP3 for the car stereo with USB flash drive support

July 17, 2009 | USB Flash and Flash Memory

With USB

I know there are many ways to add MP3 music audio to one’s automobile.  My desire is to have MP3 available for play in the car via USB memory sticks so I can follow my favorite podcasts.  Certainly CD disc playing is critical as well as a radio tuner.  I looked around and picked up a Clarion DXZ385USB.  This replaces my Clarion RDB245D AM/FM CD player.

The old Clarion stereo

that I’ve had for 10 years.  It’s actually been in a few cars when it finally had it’s prime in my car.  I’m going to run into tense issues in speaking now in past tense since I have removed the RDB245D.  The old clarion has been a great player and besides the terminals getting dirty and needing cleaning (the stereo would keep shuting itself off).  Although come to think of it the CDs were getting a bit slow in ejecting, especially in the winter time.  So out with the old and in with the new.

For some insane reason I thought this would be a simple pull it out put the new one in.  I forgot the process from the first time around when my buddy helped me (I held the flashlight) put the old one in.

Clarion DXA385USB

All the trim had to come out around the Clarion stereo, climate control and empty spacers for knick-knacks like discs and sunglasses. The difficulty comes in taking out some of the hidden screws that require one to stand on one’s head while balancing on the driver seat so one can see the screws in the “ashtray” and turn them in or out.  Luckily these things don’t come out often so I balanced myself carefully and removed the screws.  Once the screws are out the console trim can be pulled away and access to the screws that hold the metal rack that holds various modules including the prized car stereo.  Once I was able to separate the various pieces I removed the old stereo and unplugged the wire harness both from the stereo and the car.  That piece I would need again.

I had to splice the wiring harness so it would match the wiring for the car which is about 15 wires and once I finished that I was ready to install the new Clarion.  It was the exact same process as installing the old one with removing the special sleeve adapter and popping off the trim piece.  I plugged the wiring  harness back in into the car and the new car stereo.  Turned on the ignition and on came the LED clock.

• I turned the car stereo on and tested the speakers and functions.
• turned the ignition off
• unplugged stereo
• assembled it into the rack
• plugged the antenna and 16 pin connector
• and screwed the whole assembly back into the dashboard

Again I tested the unit and this time ran it through the FM and AM bands, inserted a CD, played the CD.   I then replaced all the trim and all that was left was clean up. I will let you know how the flow goes when hooked up to a USB drive.  This unit can also support a iPod along with charging it.