XCarLink questions, tips, tricks, and issues!

[dfost24]

Do you have to have Navigation for a backup camera? I just bought an '09 Prestige (being shipped here). In the description it says it has navigation, but after looking at pictures and then comparing, it does not... and now the dealership just confirmed it does not have NAV. It supposedly has the B&O system, though...

I sure hope you got a discount, that's a pretty pricey "listing error".

[frozone]

$500... not huge, but it'll pay for something fun :)

[danko]

Let's settle these issues with xcarlink and reversing camera once and for all...

Instead of spending one hour today installing the camera, I've spent 6+ hours troubleshooting this stupid problem, which could easily be solved if even once had the guys from xcarlink actually tested these cameras they sell.

Let's start with the camera. I've purchased xcarlink multimedia interface togetger with the camera they sell. I burned the first one (I found out today that it wasn't my fault), and ordered new one:

AUDI A4 A5 TT REVERSING REAR VIEW CAMERA
http://www.xcarlink.co.uk/product.ph...9&cat=4&page=2

The main problem with this camera is that voltage they specify for it (12V) is simply too high, let alone the voltage in the car itself which is in range od 12-13.8V (normal voltage for the car).

After I have burned the first camera by connecting it to the external 12V power supply, I've cut open the rubber casing and found out that this camera reduces the voltage from 12V down to 5V, and from there it reduces it to 3.3V which is actually used to power the camera itself.

Now this rubber casing is poorly engineered as the IC power regulators were supposed to be mounted on a heatsink, and not on a PCB+enclosed with rubber... The way this camera is built means that if you connect it to laboratory 12V supply it will last for about 20minutes before it dies, and if you connect it to your car, it should take anywhere from 5-10 minutes until it eventualy burns out.

CONCLUSION:

1. Reduce the input voltage
2. DON'T USE THE +12V REVERSING LIGHT VOLTAGE TO POWER THE CAMERA! (interference is just too high and the camera will not be usable if you power it with reversing light)

SOLUTION:

1. Purhcase some simple linear voltage regulator. It happened that I had some L7809 in my garage (converts 12 to 9V), but you could use any one you find... I suppose that anything from 5-9V output will work. These are really easy to find and you shouldn't have any trouble finding one in your local electronic store
The one I have used is similar to this one:http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...=497-1448-5-ND

2. While in the store purchase a nice aluminum heatsink for the L7809 so that it can be nicely cooled.

3. From your glovebox compartment you want to put 3 cables to your trunk lid:
• Video cable
• +12V reversing light signal cable
• +12V power supply

4. Connect your reversing light +12V cable (black/gray on the connector) with the green wire on the xcarlink (red arrow)


5. Power supply for the camera should be taken from the voltage regulator whose schematics is below. Connect the output leg of the voltage regulator to the red wire of the camera power supply, and to power up the input leg of the voltage regulator, use the same +12V that you power the xcarlink or your navi. DO NOT USE THE +12V FROM THE REVERSING LIGHT AS YOU WILL GET HEAVY INTERFERENCE. GND leg of the regulator you can connect to any GND you can find in your car, it doesn't matter they are all the same. The schematics looks like this:


5a. Optional: If you have any two electrolytic capacitors, you should connect them like this schematics and it will increase quality of the image:


6. You don't need to connect GND (black) wire of the power supply for the camera, since it will get it's ground from the video connector, don't worry.

7. Connect the video cable to the xcarlink harness (yellow arrow). There are three yellow connectors on that single harness. I have found that the one which was marked with "reverse cam" was wrong one, and it worked when I connected to a different one.. So if it doesn't work on the first try, try the other two connectors, since xcarlink may have messed up cable labels.

8. Pull down dipswitch no.5 to activate the reversing camera option.

9. Connect the LED power cable to the connector for the light above your licence plate which you have just removed.

10. Test it out and congratulations, you have successfully installed the reversing camera!

[jfo]

If you use an alternate power source to the reverse light to avoid interference, does that mean the camera is powered on constantly while the car is running? I assume the video display switch to the camera view when in reverse only affects the xcarlink and doesn't switch the camera power on/off.

[danko]

Yes, using alternative power source rather than reverse light means that the camera will always be on.

If you would like to switch the camera off when the reverse light is not on, and still use alternative power source, you could hook up the camera power trough a relay..

[quality_sound]

I use a tap a fuse, there's a fuse thing on the right side of the trunk, but if u must use the reverse light the brown is negative and white with a black stripe is positive

Just some gee whiz info, brown is ALWAYS ground in a German car.

[promoda]

Had the unit for a total of 3months then one day screen went black, went to my installer to ask him what the problem was and he told me the wires flexed and and it was due to poor quality wires. I contacted xcarlink via email, told them the issue and the said they'd send me replacement wires. 1 month later got them, they were the wrong ones. Had to wait another month to get the right ones. Finally got them and they didn't work. Told them the problem, they said it was probably my unit, they offered to replace it with a newer one but I had to buy a new one and they would reinburs me once I send back the old one. Bought it waited 1 month to get again and guess what the wires included in the box were broken!! I just got the replacement ones today, the unit worked for a total of 5mins then went black again!

Pure crap during this whole wait period my cars screen has been black since february!

Does any one have this issue?

Back to stock for me :(

[promoda]

Forgot to mention, each time I get something I rush to my installer to do it and obviously costs me $ every single time :(

[autobahnaudi]

Agreed xcarlink f en sucks bad my screen is always going on and off. The connections ate been tripe checked my me and audio video shop. I will be pulling it out and getting the touch screen nav unit when I get the money.
Very very unhappy with xcarlink.

[promoda]

is there any other company that supports the same thing? basically i can live with out dvd player while i drive but the back up cam and the navi plug in is awesome. they just need to use better quality stuff! I hate the fact that there is no number to call....

[jfo]

I would like to add the reverse cam and was almost ready to buy this. Maybe I'll wait a bit longer! I only plan on using the camera so I don't need the full xcarlink capability. it would be good to know if other options exist to interface with the display for the reverse camera only.

[The Infiltrator]

Where could I get a good screen with NAV for my car anyway?

[promoda]

Where could I get a good screen with NAV for my car anyway?

X2?

[MYFASTA4]

im sorry to hear about your troubles, i agree xcarlink has horrible cust service, and the device could have been made better.
i used black electric tape to secure the wires to the connectors and zip ties and velcro to keep everything else in place been using same unit for 2 years and no problems. your installer might want to get a little creative or just do it yourself.

[joshpbrown5]

I got a pretty good fuse tap - and had to get a new camera as I fried the other one. These cameras are such pieces of $hit. Anyway, can anyone recommend a good fuse to tap in order to power the camera? Im looking at my schematics in the owners manual, and I noticed that the fuse that powers the rear camera (#12 in the Brown box) is not there in my car. Exactly - i didnt have it from the factory. Shoot.
Anyone have any ideas on the best one to tap? There is not one dedicated to the reverse light (at least according to the owners manual.) Thanks guys.

[eboosted]

I got the xcarlink camera, but now I'm affraid to install it. Where are you guys tapping it to?

[joshpbrown5]

I got the xcarlink camera, but now I'm affraid to install it. Where are you guys tapping it to?

Exactly the way I feel!

[linet90]

you can follow Davids install step on the trunk cig adapter and use that as your power.
http://www.audienthusiasts.com/Proje...ssoryPlug.html

[eugeneflim]

Sorry for possibly resurrecting the old thread, I have the module, and all works fine for maybe 20 secs, after I first start the car, and switch to reverse, but then I get jitters on the screen, and camera view eventually disappears. After that I may or may not get the camera again. My setup is very simple, no video inputs (and corresponding DIP's are off), just camera video. Reverse signal seems to be connected properly too, gets 12V when switched in reverse. I have the latest v3 I believe. Oh, and there seems to be 2 bright blue LED's, I noticed that only one is on, when does the second one become lit up?
Any help would be appreciated!

[eboosted]

I got this problem in several cars as well, here is the solution, you need to use a clean 12v signal to power up the camera, the best choice would be ussing a relay and give power to the camera only when reverse is engaged.

[MYFASTA4]

what kind of camera do you have? in the xcarlink tips and tricks someone posted a solution with a voltage regulator.

[eboosted]

what kind of camera do you have? in the xcarlink tips and tricks someone posted a solution with a voltage regulator.

yeah, I saw that link as well but I already installed 2 xcarlink cameras and none have failed with a regular install process.

[eugeneflim]

yeah, I saw that link as well but I already installed 2 xcarlink cameras and none have failed with a regular install process.

I have an ebay-purchased camera (xcarlink didn't have Q5 cameras), and the video is actually really good. Can you please provide the link to both solutions?

[eboosted]

The xcarlink camera is pretty nice and well built, made in china though.

What camera did you get from ebay?, the one I first bought was a wireless, very crappy one, and costed more than the xcarlink for the OEM location one

[eugeneflim]

I got item number 200577905844, BUT it's not good, already broke after only a couple of days on the car!

[eugeneflim]

I am also facing another issue - Bluetooth is always on Mute after the install. Tried to reset phone settings, unpair/pair, nothing. I think the unit is coming off the car soon...

[MYFASTA4]

I am also facing another issue - Bluetooth is always on Mute after the install. Tried to reset phone settings, unpair/pair, nothing. I think the unit is coming off the car soon...

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...issues!/page11

your answer is on this page

[eugeneflim]

I understand about BT now, the installer didn't move all the plugs from old harness to the new one!

[MYFASTA4]

u used an installer? dam i was in chicago last week i would have stoped by and helped you for free ;-(,
if you look at the diy that ebosst made its really not that hard. the instructions are horrible that came with it.

[eugeneflim]

Yes, used an installer (BestBuy), I am really good with electronics (EE), but not good with car trim. And, it was hot in Chicago! We would be toasted in my garage! But he is a good guy. I am going back this Sunday, to try to install a resistor between camera and 12V, to drop supply voltage to maybe 5-6V, based on the tips thread. I've got the potentiometer, so we'll find the exact resistance and then install permanent resistor. Hope this will help with picture becoming jerky and disappearing after 15-20 secs. Also, he didn't move all the wires to the new harness, based on you hint above, this will take care of BT, and maybe other issues. Thanks!

[eboosted]

The problem with image corrupting after 20 seconds has nothing to do with reducing the voltage, you need to use a clean signal from the battery or accesory and ill be fine.

[eugeneflim]

The problem with image corrupting after 20 seconds has nothing to do with reducing the voltage, you need to use a clean signal from the battery or accesory and ill be fine.

I see, maybe I didn't quite get the tips correctly. Both camera supply and green wire come from the same source - reverse signal going to the backup light (the installer used black/white wire from the fuse box). Are you saying to use a different signal? Where would it come from? Or, are you suggesting to separate them, and use clean signal for perhaps camera wire? The green wire needs to be connected to the reverse, to cause the module to show the image, correct?

[eugeneflim]

SUCCESS!!! I was almost ready to give up (and I rarely fail in these projects), but I decided to try again. I made the regulator exactly as the last picture in post #470 in xcarlink tips and tricks thread. Radioshack people were clueless, but pointed me to the rack with components, $7 with tax gave me all the parts. I do have some wire at home, so this was not very difficult. I do have a degree in EE though . I connected both green wire and camera power supply to the output of the regulator, and reverse from the fuse to the input, and viola - all works with not a single drop of frame.
Oh, and of course, the same thread (post #432) solved my Bluetooth problem - after moving the plugs into new harness, and some tight fitting, all works. Now need to wait for the Vag cable, to get rid of a couple of fault codes.
If someone lives in Chicago/NW Indiana/Milwaukee WI area, I can suggest the same installer. After my car, it should be a breeze. Inexpensive too. But I would not recommend someone without electric/electronic experience or not handy, making this regulator.
Thanks for all the help!

[gino.baldini]

ok i dont know how helpful this is going to be for you guys but i just installed my xcarlink today together with a reverse camera. the reverse camera works fine.

Hi, do you still have some pictures/indications as of how you managed to pass the wiring from the reverse camera (in the back) all the way to the control unit ?

[MYFASTA4]

i dont have any pictures, but i ran the cable down the trunk lid on the right, i took off the black arm cover and tucked the cord in along the trim all the way to the front.

[Kandiru]

just wanted to clarify a couple of things , if you have a car with mmi you need the most adapter for the digital conection for audio, if you want to and have a digital audio source to connect.
if you dont you will need this adapter :
http://valleymotorsaudi.oemdealer.co...2471_32115.php
to get audio to the system via the aux ami interface.
the xcarlink doesnt input audio unless you have the most adapter from xcarlink (that is only for a digital signal with mmi).
the xcarlkink only over writes the video signal going to the screen, meaning you can have any video playing on the screen while you listen to the radio or memory card or cd or sat.
hope this info helps

Even better, keep it A2DP advanced digital stereo all the way with the Audi OEM adapter:


================================================== =====

Let me know if it works. My iPhone is jailbroken and there is a hack were I can enable video out for any app.

Also if anyone is interested in the A2DP bluetooth AMI adapter, I'm selling mine since I'll be installing xcarlink. Here's the link to the classifieds..

http://www.audizine.com/classifieds/...adapter&cat=76

Not necessarily a good thing, in the digital realm there is no signal degradation unless you hear crackling, if you bring it donw to the 3.5mm realm you get multiple D/A conversions in the source, then A/D in the radio, but i know, not everyone here is that HiFi crazed.
================================================== ====

I am now gathering the parts for a Mac Mini (late 2009, alas the new ones are too compact
and hard to splice into for MP3car.com's remoter powerup cable with the Carnetix 2140 regulator),
and will use BT streaming into the radio via this gadget to keep it all digital and pretty.

Will be navigating and watching DVDs among other things. Will post after i get her done.

[TexasEric]

Will be navigating and watching DVDs among other things. Will post after i get her done.

Does this adapter provide for a video signal as well? If not, are you intending to use an XCarLink for the video? More info, please. This sounds interesting.

[Kandiru]

Does this adapter provide for a video signal as well? If not, are you intending to use an XCarLink for the video? More info, please. This sounds interesting.

The above adapter will solely input purely digital sweet undistiorted (albeit compressed, oh sweet SACDs) sound, i will splice an old high quality RGB cable to link video like this:

Mini-DVI to HMDI adapter > ViewHD VHD-H2YVs (5v will get it from the Carnetix)> RGB to Xcarlink inputs.

This way i will have an extra HDMI port which i will extend with a male-female cable for that PlayStation or
whatever we need.

Wish me luck, at least the ViewHD is highly rated on Amazon and i doubt it will fail me.
http://www.amazon.com/ViewHD-Compone...6479943&sr=1-5

Sxxx, with so much hardware i will be scratching my head to find locations for all components as i also have
a long range N wireless adapter i plan sticking into the center vent side by side with the GPS antenna.

I promised myself to keep it custom, with everything recessed in the dash (AMI and BT adapter will be hidden), and
the Mac Mini painted black in the single-DIN
slot along with the extra HDMI, USB port extension from Mac, and another USB from the Carnetix PSU (to allow
me tweaking the PSU with my Windows laptop via PowerMoni) neatly tucked in the little space to the right of the Mini,
fyi the fat Mac Mini (03-10 2009) is 6.5x6.5x2", all sorts of neat delays, and even battery
voltage based shutoffs can be programmed. A 5v fan will blow air into the glovebox via the holes at back of the shelf.

Right now i need to wait for everything to arrive, the rear cam install will be done with the Bosch ParkPilot acoustic parking,
just have an awful time finding Audi 0C0C paint to cover the sensors.

Unfortunately chronic insomnia with my job is a problem, but i promised myself to drive around with glovebox off if i have to,
i have not once botched installs d/t fatigue and desire to finish quickly.

Hey gurus, can i start the Xcarlink with this button mounted behing the E-Brake button, it is so cool and matching, i will use
it for the Mac Mini with the Y splicer to start it, the PSU will turn it off delayed after ignition off :
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=A9WD26COETCRX

[DavidB8]

I don't know, I'm an OEM fan. I'd be looking at a button your not using. Like how about adding the Start/Stop switch that goes to where the coin holder is? It will match your ebrake just smaller I think.

[Kandiru]

I don't know, I'm an OEM fan. I'd be looking at a button your not using. Like how about adding the Start/Stop switch that goes to where the coin holder is? It will match your ebrake just smaller I think.

1. I don't want my Mac Mini to fire up on every startup, although it would be OK for Xcarlink.
I plan on hooking the Xcarlink piggybacked into the MacPac cable, the secondary 5v output
will power the video converter, scroll down on this document to the Mac digrams:
http://carnetix.com/installation/P21...anual_V1_2.pdf
So i will program the PSU via the Monitor app to only shut the system off.
The Mac power button Y splitter will allow me to wire the button. This way i can
navigate just starting up the system, with the 3D mouse attached in the gap at left upper
end of monitor doing the scrolling to POIs with RouteBuddy or Google.

2. The location behind the E-brake is more ergonomic in a 6MT car, heck any
car, the Start button is there in OEMs.