Very confused about USA Spec option

D

dbarbella

Member
Location
New Jersey
Hey Gang,

I've searched through the threads first, but wanted to pose this question out there specifically to make sure I'm not making a mistake.

I have an '07 FX35
It has a factory satellite unit that I bought from the dealership, and plugged into the port on the hatch, and use use the radio button to scroll through AM/FM/Sat. All works perfectly.

I want to now add the USA Soec Ipid unit, and at checkout from Crutchfieildd I get the warning:

  1. The adapter plugs into the back of the factory radio, so you'll have to remove and reinstall your radio to connect this adapter.
  2. Must not have factory Satellite radio tuner.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_581PA15NIS/USA-Spec-iPod-Interface.htm

Why would it say the car must not have a factory satellite?
What exactly is the conflict? Must we unplug the satellite plug from the back of the radio unit for the USA Spec? I thought that would be the CD changer plug... but maybe the CD changer plug and the sat plug are sharing the same harness?

I know these are rookie questions, but I'm really not seeing why Crutchfield is saying the car must not have sat.... what are we supposed to do when our car does?

Thanks gang
-David
 
AFIK, the cd changer is built-in so there is no plug to connect or disconnect. The satellite tuner however is external so it plugs into the rear of the stereo. The USA spec usually plugs into that input. So I think, you would have to sacrifice your sat. radio in order to use the USA Spec. Most people that have installed the USA Spec adapter don't have the satellite radio option, so there really was no downside for them.

As for your situation, if you want to listen to your iPod/iPhone, you either have to disconnect the sat. radio and get the USA Spec adapter or use an FM modulator with your iPod. OR you could install a Parrot bluetooth adapter and stream music to your stereo. But keep in mind you have to also get a quick connect harness from: http://www.quickconnectproducts.com/Find/find.php

An important thing to remember is that the USA Spec adapter comes with a 1/8" AUX input so you could use an external sat. tuner with it as well.

Clear as mud huh? :confused.:
 
According to the USA SPEC website, the PA15-NIS model (the one for the FX) retains the satellite functionality:

Retains CD changer, Rear Seat Entertainment/DVD, and Satellite radio functions and features.
 
I just went on usa spec's website. It looks to me like the pa-15nis (nissan model) is for FXs without satellite radio (or if you have sat radio but are currently using that input, and you want the interface to plug in through the aux radio input).
The pa-15infi uses the satellite radio input.

From usa spec's website:
"For all the above listed vehicle models/years [which included "2003-2008 FX35/45, all radios"], use the PA15-NIS model if the vehicle does not have SAT receiver or if it's not pre-wired for SAT. PA15-NIS's functionality is 100% equivalent to the PA15-INFI. PA15-NIS coonects to the radio while the PA15-INFI connects to the SAT receiver."
 
Thanks for the feedback gang,

I Think Dr Ford found the key.
NIS is without Sat... and INFI is for our cars with Sat.

I wonder how it connects.
The SAT receiver is in the hatchback. Perhaps it has a connector that goes behind the radio... such as unplugging the sat, and plugging thssat cable into the USA Spec connector. Which the USA Spac connector then plugs into the radio ( a sort of Y-adapter, or guilitene connector.

Has anyone used the INFI model with SAT?
If so, how did you connect yours?

Thanks everyone for the great feedback
 
I bought the INFI ipod adapter, and I'm having problems getting it to sync up. I called usa spec, and the tech guy on the phone said the only difference between the NIS and INFI options is that the INFI adapter has a longer cord (so it can reach the satellite tuner, which is sometimes located in the rear of the vehicle). He said he prefers to use the NIS adapter, as there is less cord and tangle to deal with behind the NAV unit in the dash.
Anyway, I hooked up the connections exactly as per the instructions, but the screen is just frozen on "RADIO" with no stations or anything appearing on the screen at all! It won't even let me scroll through any menus to try to get it on the proper setting. I've tried to disconnect it and reconnect it several times. Waiting for a call back from the usa spec tech guy right now. Anyone encountered similar issue when installing this unit? Help please!!

---------- Post added at 04:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:52 PM ----------

Update....
So I just got off the phone with Joe at USA Spec and he corrected himself by saying that there are more differences between the NIS and INFI units than just the length of the harness cable, but that there is actually a different set of plugs to connect it to the back of the factory head unit. He also went on to say that since I bought the unit off ebay, that USA Spec would not honor any warranty or do any service on my unit. What kind of company doesn't stand behind their products?! Could you imagine if you bought an ipod off someone and took it into the Apple store only to have them tell you, "sorry, but we don't stand behind our products if you bought them from someone other than Apple"?? Ridiculous!! Needless to say, I'm a little peeved right now. Joe said the only other thing that might work is to locate the XM satellite receiver somewhere under "the right rear floor" (according to Joe, although he didn't know where exactly) and try to plug the harness into that. He said I might need to try to return the INFI unit to the guy I bought it from on ebay and buy the NIS model instead. But the packaging clearly shows 2006 FX45 under the list of applications for the INFI unit, but the USA Spec website says to get the NIS model. What's going on with this company, seriously??
If anyone has any advice, I'd love to hear it...
 
It's pretty standard procedure for companies to not honor warranties if you buy from a non authorized dealer. I'm not sure why they wouldn't work on it though if you were willing to pay a service fee.

Having said that, it's extremely confusing with regards to which units work for our cars. I purchased the NIS-2 which was listed as compatible with my '07. When I installed it, it didn't work and the reason I was given was because my car didn't have a SAT button. It does have satellite radio, but there is no specific SAT button to turn it on as there are on earlier model FX's. Nevermind the fact that the instruction manual even shows how to access the input on a car without the SAT button. I never could get it figured out so I just returned it.
 
Update #2....
I ordered the PA15-NIS from ipodcarpros.com (which USA Spec lists as an authorized dealer on their website) and installed it and it works!! I had to set up the folder menu options a few times, as the instructions were pretty damn confusing. I called into tech support and they walked me through it. Now the only problem is that I managed to break the paper thin ribbon cable attaching the control face plate to the dash. What does this cable do? I haven't noticed any differences when controlling my stereo and nav functions, but I'm sure it does something! Anyone have any experience how to fix a broken ribbon cable? Or at least know what controls it affects?? Please help!!
 
a pic might help!!! when i installed my pa15 nis i just said screw the pic and instructions and plugging the wires wherever they seemed to plug. then started the car and pressed the mode button and that worked for me. more knowledge only makes it more confusing.
 
All...question...when Apple drops IOS5 and the iphone 5....will the current PA15s still work? Is there an update they provide for those who have had this unit for a while??
 
I know it's been three months and the original poster may have already found the solution but I want to confirm that PA15-NIS works with the 06 FX35 with SAT radio (also with navigation) and still retain the SAT function. I press on the RADIO button to flip to the "SAT" function. If you don't have the SAT radio, you'd have to connect it through the CD changer.

Also I did not find the setting up procedure for the "folder mode" hard at all. The instruction manual included in the packet laid out the set up procedures in detail. So don't be discouraged of buying this kit because of that!

wlvrn97 said:
All...question...when Apple drops IOS5 and the iphone 5....will the current PA15s still work? Is there an update they provide for those who have had this unit for a while??
Click to expand...

I would assume that it will work with it. I first got HON2Y for my Pilot 5 years ago and that worked well with latter models (except for that Apple changed the charge pin type and amps so you had to get a new iPod connector cable in order to CHARGE the second gen iPod Touch or later). So unless Apple makes some drastic changes, I'd assume it'd work well. Don't hold me to it though! It's just my 2cents
 
Dr.Ford said:
Update #2....
.......Now the only problem is that I managed to break the paper thin ribbon cable attaching the control face plate to the dash. What does this cable do? I haven't noticed any differences when controlling my stereo and nav functions, but I'm sure it does something! Anyone have any experience how to fix a broken ribbon cable? Or at least know what controls it affects?? Please help!!
Click to expand...

The ribbon cable you broke is almost impossible to find. But here you go:

///12355.

This guy has the cables for $100 and is located in so cal. He does a replacement stereo for $185(with core change) Had my replacement stereo now for 5 months with no problems., so if your cd is cutting out.... there you go. After breaking my cable, I could not eject any of my discs and could not play the tape player (yes 04 fx's came with bose tape players).
 
This is why I use my Android/ Iphone or Music player through an RCA jack with a 1/8" headphone connector.
Scroll through the menu to rear AV and you are listening to your own music.
5 bucks + 5 minutes and you're up and running...
Ther is even a small slot in the center console to allow for a cable to come out of the console while it is closed.
I listen to Pandora streaming on my cell phone with no issues.
Of course this doesn't help you out at all.
I know this has been brought up before, but, I just thought I'd chime in if others want to avoid the troubles associated with the Ipod adapter hookup.
I'm also thinking the Ipod adapter limits you to using an IPod or Iphone ONLY.
I prefer more options.
Peace out
 
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