evalyn

I spend enough time on this site looking for help that I thought I outta post a How To on the one thing I know how to do decently well:

How To Install the USA Spec iPod/iPhone Interface in a Maxima

A note: There are many ways to attach an iPod or iPhone to your car. I saw the USA Spec kit as the best option for several reasons: it lets you control your iPod/iPhone from the stereo and steering wheel (as well as still using the iPod click wheel), it charges your iPod/iPhone, and the sound quality is unparalleled.

This How To is written for someone who has very little experience working on their car. I wrote it this way on purpose. If you live in Austin or San Antonio, I would be happy to help you with this install for free.

These are the tools I used:
2 phillips screwdrivers, 2 flat head screwdrivers, 12mm socket wrench, drill, USA Spec iPod to Nissan Interface, Model PA11-NIS (139.99 from Crutchfield)


Steps: Most have pictures; some don't

1. Open USA Spec adapter kit and make sure all contents are present: interface brain, iPod/iPhone cord, radio/interface cord.

2. Set parking break. Disconnect negative (-) battery terminal. Remember, doing this will reset all trip mileage and radio stations.

3. Remove center A/C vent. If you're strong enough, it can be done without tools, like in the picture. Otherwise, use a flat head screwdriver wrapped in a towel.


4. Unscrew 2 phillips screws from top of radio. Place these on a mat together so you'll remember where they came from.

evalyn

5. Remove coin tray. Unscrew single black screw with phillips head. In an automatic, it may help to move the gear shift level backwards. Since the battery is disconnected, you wont be able to do this. With a flat head, lift out the silver plastic tab that's in front of the gear shift lever. Insert Maxima key into slot, push down, and the gear lever should move.






6. Remove the trim piece by inserting a very thin flat head between trim piece and center console.

evalyn

7. Gently remove trim piece, and lift over gear shift. Hang trim piece on left side of center console.



8. Remove 2 black phillips screws from center console.


9. Open main box of center console. Remove 1 black phillips screw from under carpet. Put with other 2 black phillips screws.


10. From the back seat, remove 2 black phillips screws from sides of center console. Don't remove the small ones; just the big ones. If you're like me, you'll have to reconnect the battery to scoot the seats forward.

evalyn

11. From the back seat, pull center console up and unplug the clip that powers the rear cigarette lighter. Lift center console up and maneuver it over the gear shift lever and parking brake. Remove from car. This might be a good time for some Windex and a rag, if yours is anywhere near as dirty as mine was.

evalyn

12. Remove 2 phillips screw from bottom of climate control. Set aside with 2 identical screws from top of radio.


13. Pull radio out.

14. Connection time. This should be obvious, but I'll explain. From back of radio, remove larger wire clip by inserting flat head and pulling wire (hard!). Plug this male end into the only female connector from the USA Spec radio/interface cord.




15. Plug the larger of the USA Spec male clips into the large hole you just removed a clip from.

evalyn

16. Plug the last USA Spec male clip into the hole on the left side of the radio (you're looking at it backwards, so it'll be on your right).


17. Put the radio back in. Bring the USA Spec radio/interface cord behind radio and connect it to the interface brain. Plug the iPod/iPhone cord into the brain, and select which setting you want by flipping the switches. We went with 1 ON, 2 OFF, so we could control the iPod/iPhone from the car and also the iPod.


18. Stash the brain in front of the gear shift assembly.


19. Now it's time to decide where you want your iPod/iPhone cord to come out. On one of our cars, we decided to use the main center console box, and on the other we tried the cup holder. It's up to you.

20. It's a good idea to test that everything works before putting the car back together. Reconnect the negative battery terminal and plug in your iPod/iPhone. Turn the radio on and see if all the controls work.

21. Put the center console back in from the back seat. Reconnect the cigarette lighter plug.

22. Put all screws back where they came from.

evalyn

23. Re-insert the central A/C vent.


24. Jam out to your new tunes!

perkman87

iTrader: (6)

hey This Write Up is great, Im just wondering if you can utilize the 5.5 gen steering wheel controls with this unit.

evalyn

As far as I know, the answer is yes. It works with my steering wheel controls, and I have a 2001 SE. Hope that helps.

Tippy Toes

iTrader: (6)

pretty cool write up. I like how you can still control from the steering wheel.

I cant wait for the first car with a built in unit for the iphone.(or stations for for phones/interchangeable)

Do you know how to hard wire the garmin nuvi into the rear view mirror?

evalyn

Not a clue--sorry.

03blackSE

Very nice write-up. Bookmarked so I can do it in the summer.
Thanks for taking the time to post this!!

jasonmax

iTrader: (2)

this thing only works with the cd-changer in the trunk headunit, 5.5th with cd-changer in the front won't work.

Nelsito65

Very nice write up with plenty of self-explanatory pictures. I'm hoping that this interface charges the ipod at the same time.
I've been using a cassette adapter like the one below to connect my ipod, and any other mp3 player for that matter, ever since I had my 4th gen. The only drawback is that it does not charge the ipod while connected. However, the sound output is excellent.

AEMAXIMA01

iTrader: (3)

won't work on 5.5 gen as jasonmax already stated.

AEMAXIMA01

iTrader: (3)

Yes, this does charge the iPod. The sound quality does not even compare b/wn a tape adapter and the usa spec. wait until you hear the difference.

Andrew

iTrader: (5)

Bravo!! Excellent write up!

Andrew

IHAVEA2KMAXIMA

iTrader: (7)

wow! Very nice! Mad props to you sir!

03blackSE

Shiet...

Zack342

iTrader: (89)

Awesome write up man....I got really excited when i saw this until i realized it will not work with the 5.5 gen head unit.

Feldman

iTrader: (1)

good work, i already have my ipod hooked to my alpine hu but i still read the whole thing for some reason... haha

well done

perkman87

iTrader: (6)

Thank you.

mist max2000

iTrader: (16)

10/10 write up

98_maxi

iTrader: (9)

very nice write up!
I had the same adapter, but it didn't work. Do you have CD changer in ur car?

AEMAXIMA01

iTrader: (3)

Do you have a cd-changer in the trunk? If so, you will lose it. This takes the place of the trunk mounted cd-changer.

overbo0st2k4

iTrader: (4)

So sad =(

mreman6

iTrader: (4)

I have a 5.5 gen and the stock bose unit does not work with the USA Spec. I had to swap out the unit for the older one just to have my ipod control. The old bose unit that the 5th gens have with the cd/chng button on it. I also lost the ability to control the radio from the steering wheel which sucks but the sound quality is awesome!!

Kevin319

iTrader: (1)

Great writeup man, time to upgrade from my Belkin cassette tape thingy to this.

jasonmax

iTrader: (2)

make sure that you don't have the indash CD-changer thingy.

evalyn

In the last picture, see the CD/CHG button? I think your car has to have this in order for it to work. However, you do not actually have to have a CD changer in your trunk. My 2001 SE does, but my brother's 2000 GXE does not. The USA Spec interface was successfully installed in each of our cars.

I'm new to the Maxima crowd, so maybe someone can answer this question for me: About what percent of 5th gen Maximas have this CD/CHG button?

AEMAXIMA01

iTrader: (3)

correct. all you need is the cd/changer controls button. the 5.5 doesn't have the button b/c it has the in-dash cd6 controller.

only 5.0 gens will have it.

The Law

iTrader: (39)

Nice write-up

nsnrider

iTrader: (59)

why did you end up removing the center console, this could have been done without that extra step, would save you some time.

AEMAXIMA01

iTrader: (3)

It depends on where you want to run the cable to the iPod. I removed mine bc i ran the cable under it and drilled a hole in the back of the cupholder. I don't have a picture during install, but here's a pic of where it comes out:

hi-tek22

iTrader: (4)

excellent write up bro! VERY VERY DETAILED

goathead

Where did you get the adapter and how much was it? Nice write up!

edit: d'oh brain fart. Should have read under tools.

AEMAXIMA01

iTrader: (3)

read the first post.

spoink

iTrader: (2)

Anyone know if this will work with the 5.5 Gen with navigation since it has the 6 disc changer in the trunk?

*EDIT*

Just read through the reviews on Crutchfield, and looks like I am in luck

jasonmax

iTrader: (2)

if you have the seperated changer, there is a possibility it might work.

spoink

iTrader: (2)

Also if anyone is interested I found it at Enfig Car Stereo's for $100

http://enfigcarstereo.com/shopsite_s..._PA11_NIS.html