New Ipod interface for 2007 93

[nvrlate]

I have one of these on order. Use the link and select the model and year from the pull down menus. I'll let you know my opinion of the unit once I get it installed. Thank goodness someone finally came out with something. I miss my alpine w/high speed ipod controls.

http://www.peripheralelectronics.com/products.aspx

The model number is PXAMG.

[JonV]

Nothing comes up for a 03 Saab 93SS.

[joemama]

Originally Posted by nvrlate

I have one of these on order. Use the link and select the model and year from the pull down menus. I'll let you know my opinion of the unit once I get it installed. Thank goodness someone finally came out with something. I miss my alpine w/high speed ipod controls.

http://www.peripheralelectronics.com/products.aspx

The model number is PXAMG.

You might be the first in the USA to install it. Let us know know it goes....I might just do buy one too. Good luck!

I'm assuming you are bought the harness as well? Same place?

[nvrlate]

Yes, I purchased the harness as well. Got them both for $150 on Ebay.

[stevedol]

Sounds to me like another version of the PAC GM3 I bought and documented in Ipod Car Kit For 2007 Audio . Didn't work for me, as the stereo needs to be satellite radio (XM) enabled. This PXAMG also requires the stereo to be satellite enabled.

Radio must be satellite capable or satellite ready

Unless otherwise stated below, compatible with navigation radios

Requires vehicle specific harness (sold separately)

Not compatible with Microsoft's SYNC

Non-navigation radios must have an "AUX", “Sirius”, or “SAT” button on the face of the radio

GM:
When using the PGHGM5 harness the radio must have a "BAND" and or "XM" button to be compatible

Good luck with your purchase, hope it works, will be a great step forward for those with XM capable stereos (US).
Keep us posted.
Steve.

[LaserRed9-3Aero]

This has been an issue for how many years now?

So bizzare that a true iPod adapter still isn't available from GM/Saab, even though now the '07+ 9-3's are using a standard GM headunit.

You can buy a hardwired iPod adapter from GM for almost all of their other vehicles, except the Saab. Our Solstice has the same GM headunit that's in the '07+ 9-3, and I can walk into any GM dealer and buy their OEM adapter for about $150. Aftermarket for even less. But you can't do the same thing for Saab.

I wonder when GM/Saab will get a clue that people want iPod/iPhone integration.

And yes, the comment about the Satellite radio being enabled makes sense. If that iPod adapter works with the headunit as it does on other GM headunits, the iPod will 'show up' as a device as part of the 'BAND' button. Instead of the FM->AM->XM->FM->AM->XM->(repeat) cycle, with the iPod you get FM->AM->XM->FM->AM->iPod->(repeat). In other words, the iPod 'shares' the satellite audio input. From what I've read on the Solstice forums, a trip to the dealer is probably required if you don't already have XM enabled.

[nvrlate]

I have XM so I'm hoping it works as well as advertised.

[nvrlate]

I finally had time to install it last night. I'm having trouble posting pics at the moment. I'll provide more detail and pics tonight.

[joemama]

Originally Posted by nvrlate

I finally had time to install it last night. I'm having trouble posting pics at the moment. I'll provide more detail and pics tonight.

Forget the pics for now - does it work? Is it hard to install?

[Krieg]

If you have XM, I will guarantee that this will work. If you don't have XM, don't bother, it won't work.

How hard is it to install? If you can get your center vent out, you can install this thing. The center vent removal is the B****. After that, it's downright easy.

[nvrlate]

The center vent removal was extremely difficult. I spent about 30-45minutes trying to get it out. I ended up with a few scratches and nicks around the radio which I'm a little pissed about. The center vent now looks like an impossible puzzle. Any one have step by step instructions on how to put it back together. If I can't figure it out I guess I'll drop the $100 to get another one.



Once the vent was removed it wasn't too bad. Two screws holding the radio in and it slips right out.



I'm still learing the controls for this thing so the jury is still out. I know one thing for sure it's not near as quick to respond as my alpine high speed connection in my truck. On the alpine I can search for music as fast as I can turn the knob. On the Peripheral set up there is some lag and sometimes it will say busy on the display. For some reason I lost song fwd and song rev function on my steering wheel. I worked the day I installed it but now it doesn't work. It very well may be operator error. When I first plugged in the Ipod it didn't recognize it was there. I had to disconnect the harness that goes from the radio to the Peripheral unit and hook it back up and it started working.



Here's a picture of the unit.



I ran a piece of stiff wire behind the heater controls in order to pull the IPOD cable through the console.



I thought the "smart slot" would be a perfect place to hide the Ipod but it doesn't quite fit. Even with some rework of the center console and the lower portion of the slot. I cut away some of the console so the plug had room. Please note that none of the cutting or modifications are visible.

[nvrlate]

IPOD with protective case left on.


IPOD with protective case removed. It almost fits.



One last shot of the reworked "smart slot". See how much room I made. It might fit with a little more work.

[Krieg]

Oh no! The center vent fell apart!

Same thing happened to me, dude. I just farted around with it until I got it back together. There are the 4 actual deflectors, a horizontal crosspiece that holds them, and a vertical crosspiece that holds the horizontal one and ties into the center vent itself.

Mess around with it. It's like an IQ test. It does go back together logically.

[DannyBoy08]

I'm curious if the steering wheel controls will work with htis setup? Does it charge the ipod as it's plugged in?

[y8tiger]

How did you remove the right-hand side panel below the smart slot from the center console?

[nvrlate]

Originally Posted by y8tiger

How did you remove the right-hand side panel below the smart slot from the center console?

Slide the seat all the way back. Remove one screw towards the rear of the panel. It's covered by the seat until you move it all the way back. Once the screw is out just slide it down towards the carpet. There are plastic tabs at the front that hold it in place.

[nvrlate]

Originally Posted by DannyBoy08

I'm curious if the steering wheel controls will work with htis setup? Does it charge the ipod as it's plugged in?

Steering wheel controls work with this unit. It also charges the ipod. I'm still trying to work out the bugs. It may be just operator error but I'm having trouble with some of the functions. I just need more time to work with it.

[nvrlate]

Don't rush out and get one. Looks like they put it on the market before doing adequate testing. Here is the email I sent them and their response. I'll keep you updated as I get more information.

I recently purchased the PXAMG and wiring harness for my 2007 Saab 9-3 w/XM and Im having some trouble with it. When I first installed it, it wouldnt recognize the IPOD. I unhooked the cable going to the PXAMG box and reconnected it and it recognized the IPOD. At this time I was able to advance to the next song from the steering wheel controls. Im also getting "BUSY" on the display a lot. Yesterday it didnt let me control the IPOD through the radio anymore but the sound would still come through and it wouldnt allow me to access my XM radio stations. Again, I removed the wire to the PXAMG box and reconnected it and it started working but the steering wheel controls for fwd and rev do nothing on the IPOD. It only changes the radio station which is really annoying. Im really glad you came out with this product and Im currently giving members of a Saab message board updates on this product. There just isnt a whole lot of info or aftermarket parts for my car. If any of this is confusing please feel free to call me.


Unfortunately the Saab 9-3 is not compatible with this device. We actually did have the 9-3 listed for a short while, but after some further testing we have found that it (the 9-3) is a little different. This has forced us to remove the 9-3 from the app guide until a solution can be found. The only Saab that is guaranteed 100% compatible is the 9-7.

Ernie Hartman
Technical Advisor

[Krieg]

Yeah, this is TOTAL BS.

What the hell is Saab doing to STANDARD GM radios so that they don't work with a device like this?

Very infuriating, and I do not blame the company selling the interface, I blame Saab.

If you are going to stick us with the standard GM radio, STICK US WITH THE STANDARD GM RADIO. Don't give us something that is LESS than the standard!

And for what? What "features" have they added that interfere with the standard radio protocol?

[Titansaab27]

sorry to bring back a dead thread, but i'm really curious... would this system work for a 2007 9-3 with XM... i'm very curious to see it will still work despite the company removing the car from its compatability list.