Aux Socket Ford Focus

SaLoGo

I have a 2007 Ford Focus with the original CD6000 stereo. I want to be able to connect my iPhone so I can play my music stored on there rather than keep burning CD's.

My options are:

A local garage has quoted me £80 to install an aux socket in the glove box. He advised that it has to be a genuine Ford cable etc and they have to 'reprogram' the stereo for it to work.

Then at work today a guy has told me that I can buy the parts for a couple of quid off eBay and he will install it for me.

A quick search reveals that I can buy this cable myself for around £20 but is it worth getting a professional to fit it?

Is the garage telling porkies about it needing reprogramming?

forgotmyname

The later Mondeo stereo has one as standard. Its not hard to add one.

Probably several options from a simple audio input through a headphone socket to a connector made for a CD changer so giving more control.

Check the Ford Focus forums to see what others have done.

Checked no socket is installed? One from a Mondeo may fit. Its the same basic stereo.

molerat

http://shai.me.uk/blog/?p=27

As long as the radio has an aux button you simply plug the kit in. The hardest part is removing the glove box and drilling the hole so you need to be a happy with diy car work.

F1F93

Ive done this on my Focus. Wasn't hard at all, no need to reprogram the radio at all. Just plug and play.

Firstly, though, remove your glove box. There are about six or seven hex screws (T10?) and after you unscrew these it'll just slide out easily. Poke your head around there, and if you're lucky Ford will have installed the wire already. You'll just need to buy the socket part, drill a hole somewhere and install it.
If you don't have one pre-installed, then you just have to buy the wire for about a tenner or so, remove the radio and plug it in. Then drill a hole as before.

It's definitely worth checking though. Ford install several things at the factory which require about 5 minutes work to complete them, then charge you about £80 afterwards to complete. They installed footwell lights in mine, but then want £80 to "install" them by plugging in some bulbs!

Ignore the garage, you do not need an official cable, and it does not need reprogramming, apart from entering in the radio code once finished!

eamon

Check your glove box carefully specifically the top right hand corner, it may already be fitted. I have an 05 Mondeo LX and it has it.

SaLoGo

I've already checked the glovebox thoroughly and it's not fitted

F1F93

SaLoGo wrote: »

I've already checked the glovebox thoroughly and it's not fitted

Thats a shame. Did you physically unscrew it, take it out and have a feel around (it's pretty well hidden if it is there) or just open the glovebox door and check inside?

Like I said before, they don't always fit them, but they do on most.

If you definitely don't, then a cable like this will work:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-Focus-Mondeo-C-Max-S-Max-Transit-6000-CD-AUX-In-Cable-for-MP3-iPod-iPhone-/350828164832?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item51aefcf6e0

Provided, of course, that you have the "aux" button and not the "CDDJ" button.

You will also need the radio removal keys which are available for about a quid. Remove the radio, and plug it in to the back of the radio. There should only be one free slot IIRC. You may need to unplug the quadlock connector (the main connection), insert the aux lead into that, and then refit the quadlock.

You'll need to find somewhere for the cable to go now.
There are a few main options:
1) Drill a hole in the back/side of the glovebox, and feed it through there. It's the neatest and most hidden option, but a pain as you have to reach over to the glovebox all the time.

2) My option: there is a gap in the trim on the vertical panels by the drivers left foot (or passengers right foot)*. The wire slides through here easily. Its the least "professional" finish, but nice and easy to do and to access.

3) Alternatively, there is this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-FOCUS-Custom-USB-Dash-Connection-Point-Custom-MP3-3-5mm-Jack-SILVER-/321302693053?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4acf2204bd
Especially if you wire the USB part to the cigarette lighter, you can supply power to your iPod/phone/sat nav whilst keeping your ciggy lighter free for anything else you want it for. Even if you don't and just use the Aux part, it'll be the most professional by far. However this will be the most expensive.

4) You could, if you wanted, drill a hole somewhere else in the centre console (maybe by the cupholder?) and route the wire there, but it'd be a bit of a pain.

Hope this helps!




*[By this bit of trim is the bulb socket for footwell lights on both the passenger and drivers side that I said about before. You just need to put a bulb in - type "w5w", "T10" or "501", you can get them for a quid or so for two. You can even experiment with different colours if you want, I have red in mine and it gives quite a nice touch.]

SaLoGo

The brother in law had it all out and it's definitely not there. Shall buy the parts and go flutter my eyelashes at my work mate... might even get a date out of it!