Carplay/Android Auto Retrofit for PFL 8V

[OnionKnight]

Has anyone had any success installing a carplay retrofit in their PFL 8V?

I recently bought and returned this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q44QGRH...vS82STNcav0JL0

I couldn't get it to work after hours of troubleshooting, so I sent it back. Now I'm wondering if I try a similar product from another vendor or just give up on the idea.

For people who have done the retrofit, are you still able to use the * button on the steering wheel? I have that set to skip track and I use that button all the time. If I cant use it as skip track from within the Carplay interface, that might be a deal breaker for me.

[MetalMan]

Somewhat recently I hosted a sort of group buy on a similar model: https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...y-quot-pricing

I too set * button to skip track... and like you that didn't work for me any longer. In fact there isn't a good way I've found to skip track other than navigating to the on-screen skip button and pressing the MMI knob down. Granted I only use Amazon Music over Android Auto and haven't tested anything else.

[OnionKnight]

Somewhat recently I hosted a sort of group buy on a similar model: https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...y-quot-pricing

I too set * button to skip track... and like you that didn't work for me any longer. In fact there isn't a good way I've found to skip track other than navigating to the on-screen skip button and pressing the MMI knob down. Granted I only use Amazon Music over Android Auto and haven't tested anything else.

Thanks for the reply. That basically seals it for me, I'm going to give up on the Carplay thing. It's a shame because it was such a pain in the ass to take the glove box apart and now I have to put it all back together again with nothing to show for it.

[rowlands57]

I installed this unit:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It does work well, both wired and wireless, and while the instructions were not crystal clear it was a pretty simple install. There was one issue in the instructions but another person who bought one put the following in their review and that saved me a lot of frustration.

" have a 2016 A3 with the 7in screen and B&O sound... the instructions on the box must be for the non premium sound, I struggled with the LDVP In/Out... the connection must be done in the grey connector and not in the yellow one as instructed. Once I figured that out the system works pretry nice.."

I have had it going for a while now and I am happy with it. It comes with everything needed for the install. Don't forget to plug in the cable in the armrest that comes with it as well, even though it's not actually used in the hookup if you don't plug that in you won't get sound. Odd, but that's how it works.

I'll try the * button later today and report back since I didn't really worry about the steering controls other than the volume.

[texasboy21]

It's too bad its not as simple as plugging in some device in the USB port in the console.

[b1aZe]

It's too bad its not as simple as plugging in some device in the USB port in the console.

Not sure if this is sarcasm but there are wireless CarPlay adapters for like $100 that do exactly this. Works flawlessly!

[MetalMan]

Not sure if this is sarcasm but there are wireless CarPlay adapters for like $100 that do exactly this. Works flawlessly!

For pre-facelift 8V? You're going to have to be more specific...

[rowlands57]

I installed this unit:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It does work well, both wired and wireless, and while the instructions were not crystal clear it was a pretty simple install. There was one issue in the instructions but another person who bought one put the following in their review and that saved me a lot of frustration.

" have a 2016 A3 with the 7in screen and B&O sound... the instructions on the box must be for the non premium sound, I struggled with the LDVP In/Out... the connection must be done in the grey connector and not in the yellow one as instructed. Once I figured that out the system works pretry nice.."

I have had it going for a while now and I am happy with it. It comes with everything needed for the install. Don't forget to plug in the cable in the armrest that comes with it as well, even though it's not actually used in the hookup if you don't plug that in you won't get sound. Odd, but that's how it works.

I'll try the * button later today and report back since I didn't really worry about the steering controls other than the volume.

Well, checked out the * button on the steering wheel. Regardless of the setting in the OEM MMI that button does not skip tracks on the aftermarket Carplay unit. The best you can do to move forward and backward on the tracks is the volume button by the shift lever. It does work when you toggle it left and right to go back and forward in the tracks.

[b1aZe]

For pre-facelift 8V? You're going to have to be more specific...

Sorry I glazed over the pre-fl 8V statement in the OP. Does that come with standard wired CarPlay? Cuz if so, the wireless adapter should also work just fine.

[MetalMan]

Sorry I glazed over the pre-fl 8V statement in the OP. Does that come with standard wired CarPlay? Cuz if so, the wireless adapter should also work just fine.

PFL didn't come with any Carplay/Android Auto functionality. Hence why OP's title says "Retrofit for PFL".

[texasboy21]

Not sure if this is sarcasm but there are wireless CarPlay adapters for like $100 that do exactly this. Works flawlessly!

No it’s sincere, I wish there was a solution. Apparently the PFL cars are more difficult.

[DvC]

Has anyone had any success installing a carplay retrofit in their PFL 8V?

I recently bought and returned this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q44QGRH...vS82STNcav0JL0

I couldn't get it to work after hours of troubleshooting, so I sent it back. Now I'm wondering if I try a similar product from another vendor or just give up on the idea.

For people who have done the retrofit, are you still able to use the * button on the steering wheel? I have that set to skip track and I use that button all the time. If I cant use it as skip track from within the Carplay interface, that might be a deal breaker for me.

i bought and installed the one in your link and it never worked correctly...

[rowlands57]

i bought and installed the one in your link and it never worked correctly...

The one I linked above looks identical to the OP's unit but I did get it going and working well. I agree that the instructions were barely useful but once I saw what another buyer posted about the cable going to the correct port vs. the instructions it was all good. I did have to read several other posts on Amazon about it, but now that I have the kinks worked out I'm glad I stuck with it.

I would have been really annoyed to have to send it back after all the work to get it installed. Also, if I ever have to revert to stock there are no cuts and splices to undo.

[DvC]

The one I linked above looks identical to the OP's unit but I did get it going and working well. I agree that the instructions were barely useful but once I saw what another buyer posted about the cable going to the correct port vs. the instructions it was all good. I did have to read several other posts on Amazon about it, but now that I have the kinks worked out I'm glad I stuck with it.

I would have been really annoyed to have to send it back after all the work to get it installed. Also, if I ever have to revert to stock there are no cuts and splices to undo.

Yeah i ran into the same issue with instructions but it would work for a few minutes then stop, no matter if it was plugged or wireless. yours must be different somehow