5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.
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How To Install the USA Spec iPod/iPhone Interface in a 2000 or 2001 Maxima
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
hey This Write Up is great, Im just wondering if you can utilize the 5.5 gen steering wheel controls with this unit.
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Whered that VQ go??
1. 2003 titanium edit blacked out,Hks Exhaust, Jim wolf Pop Charger, 17Deg advance, Nex Coilovers, staggered 20" (yaya i know)
2. 2000 pearl white 5 spd all basic bolt ons g35 whls, it was good while it lasted.
3 87 stang Project 306ci built motor full susp. (in garage) its sloow .....
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.
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.
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.
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.
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2003 Nissan Maxima SE - Majectic Blue 6MT HLSD Meridan Edition, Titanium Editon-Dynoed 206.61whp and 219.54wtq...Stock 17 Degree Timing Advance*Apexi/Berk Short Ram Intake*Cattspeed Y-pipe*Cattman 2.5 B-Pipe*HKS Sport Exhaust*Cattman Ti FSTB*Progress RSB*ES Poly Front Sway Bar Bushings*HKS Grounding kit*Axxtion STS
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
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00' SE 5 Speed/ Cattman Muffler/ Warpspeed Y/ 17º advance/ 5% tint all around/ 6000K HID's all around/ Hawk HPS's all around/ FSTB/ Alpine HU/ Alpine Type R speakers
1. 2003 titanium edit blacked out,Hks Exhaust, Jim wolf Pop Charger, 17Deg advance, Nex Coilovers, staggered 20" (yaya i know)
2. 2000 pearl white 5 spd all basic bolt ons g35 whls, it was good while it lasted.
3 87 stang Project 306ci built motor full susp. (in garage) its sloow .....
very nice write up!
I had the same adapter, but it didn't work. Do you have CD changer in ur car?
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!!
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?
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.
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by evalyn
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?
why did you end up removing the center console, this could have been done without that extra step, would save you some time.
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:
Where did you get the adapter and how much was it? Nice write up!
edit: d'oh brain fart. Should have read under tools.
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2001 Nissan Maxima SE 5sp - Sherwood Green (daily driver)
2005 Ford F-350 PSD Crew Cab - White (tow vehicle and rotary owner)
1993 Ford Mustang LX 5.0 - Vermillion (for smokey Dairy Queen burnouts)
2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid - Barcelona Red (wife's ride...something has to get good milage )
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