Hi All,
This is my first post…I have been searching this website (and others) for the past 2 months in regards to hooking up an iPod into my existing OEM HU. I did not want to use an FM transmitter as I had heard such systems and they were not up to that CD quality sound I wanted.
I have a 2005 ES330 with the original OEM HU (no CD changer, no NAV..) just the plain ol’ standard equipment. Numerous searches were conducted and I couldn’t find any adapters that wold work with my equipment. The units I had was considering – using the VAIS or Denison Icelink both indicated that they would only work with a CD changer. Finally, I found someone from this website (PIONEERSUBY – thanks man, without your advice, I would have bought the wrong adapter) that knew what adapter to buy and how it was all connected. Anyway to make a long story short, I purchased an adapter from him and did the installation myself.
Initially, I had asked around and found out that after purchasing the adapter, wires and had someone do the installation, the cost to me would be around $360.00. So I asked the installer how much just to do the installation? His reply - $150.00. I was under the impression that the time involved was quite lengthy and very complex….needless to say it was quite the opposite.
Here’s what you need to do (unfortunately, when I did this I didn’t take any pictures, but I believe my explanation will be enough):
Tools required: Flat head screwdriver, 10mm socket
Time required: 15 mins (!!!!) to disassemble the centre console, climate control cluster gauge and the OEM HU.
A.Removing the transmission shifter cover (this is the area that covers the transmission shift).
1. Move the transmission shifter into a lower gear (so you can easily slide the entire assembly off). Start at the back end of the cover (the area closest to the centre console hand rest) and simply pull up the entire area (note the gray border and the wood inserts will lift up altogether. Originally, lacking instructions, and reading other sites, I thought the wood insert was separate from the gray border.
2. Next, slide the entire assembly towards you and lift off and over the shifter.
3. There are only 4 connectors holding down the assembly
B.Removing the Climate control cluster
1. This part is a little tricky (not that it’s hard but just that it seems a little primitive and may look damaging to leather enclosure)
2. Get a flat head screwdriver (this is what I used) or better yet use one of those Swiss army knives that have a flat head screwdriver BUT also have a flat body as well.
3. On the right hand side about half way down the cluster, insert the screwdriver and jimmy/pry the side out of the enclosure. This looks damaging to the enclosure but its made out of soft material and it re-forms back into place.
4. Repeat the same for the left had side of the cluster.
5. If I’m not mistaken, there are also only 4 prongs holding the unit in.
C.Removing the OEM HU
1. The HU is held into the enclosure by 4 screws that can be removed using a 10mm socket (2 screws you can see head on, while the other 2 screws are underneath the HU)
2. When I tried taking these off, one nearly fell inside the enclosure and it looked like I would have to remove the entire enclosure to retrieve the screw. Luckily, that didn’t happen and I proceeded to remove the other 3 screws. Just to make sure, I used on of those tacky gummy tapes that would hold the screw secure while I removed it.
3. That’s it. You’re finished removing the HU
D.Hooking up the iPod adapter
1. For the 2005 ES330, I had to use an adapter built for 2005 Toyota Sienna.
2. This adapter came with the necessary hardware – adapter, T-harness cable and the cable to connect the iPod
3. The T-harness is sued to hook up the HU to the adapter. The T-harness has a 12-pin connector and what I believe is a 20-pin connector. Hook up the 12-pin cable to back of the OEM HU. Don’t worry there is only one 12 pin connection at the back of the HU.
4. The other attachment (20-pin connector) on the T-harness is not used for this purpose.
5. Hook up the iPod cable on the other side of the adapter (each connection is unique, I used the connection that looks like a S-video connection). This is the white cable that hooks up to the adapter to the iPod
6. Place the adapter behind (or off to side) of the HU. There’s ample space back there.
7. I initially wanted to run the iPod cable into the glove box but the box wouldn’t close properly, so instead I ran the cable through the centre piece (under the transmission housing) and into the centre console.
8. Check to ensure your connections are secure and test to see if your unit works.
9. You will be able to control your unit from the steering wheel as well as from the HU
10. Put everything back into place and you’re all set.
11. Just one more thing … you will not be able to control your iPod from the iPod itself. Your controls cease to work upon connecting it to the adapter.
