Many Sirius questions . . .

[JayWolf]

For starters, I have found so much valuable information on this board, so thanks to all.

I have some question about installing my Sirius Starmate Replay. I have done some searches, and read many threads, but would love some input on the following:

Background
I have determined that I will install it with the bracket it came with, at the 4WD switch location (as I have 2WD). I want to hide all the wires, and I have good volume so I won’t need a PIE amp. I am, of course, hooking it up through the AUX. Last, I have tested and found good reception with dash mounting the antenna (between the defroster vents).

1) What would be the best way to run the wire for the antenna if I dash mount it as noted (e.g. through the defroster vents, drivers side, passenger side, etc.)
2) I want to run the power to the fuse block, and found some links (on another thread) to PartsExpress and RadioShack for taps for such a thing, however, when I pulled the fuse panel, it looks like there is a fuse in ever slot. Any suggestions?
3) AUX connection. This is the one that concerns me most. I want to run the wire behind the radio panel (I have the R.F. six disc system), but am unsure how I tap into the AUX behind the panel. Ignorant question time, if I do tap in, does that disable the connection for the jack after that (i.e. can I plug an iPod into it and use it when not using the Sirius)?
4) I am nervous about pulling the faceplate off for the radio to get behind it. Do most people just use a screwdriver and pop it off top to bottom, or do you have to have a dash trim removal tool? In either case, I also read that some clips pop off and drop and some people had problems with that. Just don’t want to ruin my faceplate.

Appreciate it.

[bestatchess]

2) I want to run the power to the fuse block, and found some links (on another thread) to PartsExpress and RadioShack for taps for such a thing, however, when I pulled the fuse panel, it looks like there is a fuse in ever slot. Any suggestions?

The fuse taps do not require you to lose an existing fuse, but rather split an existing circuit into two, in the case of the ADD-A-CIRCUIT or just tap onto the existing circuit in the case of the RS fuse tap. You could, for example, use the circuit for the passenger side lighter socket, which goes on & off with the ignition. It is fused at 15 amps, so you would need to make sure that the combined devices powered by that circuit do not exceed 15 amps.

3) AUX connection. This is the one that concerns me most. I want to run the wire behind the radio panel (I have the R.F. six disc system), but am unsure how I tap into the AUX behind the panel. Ignorant question time, if I do tap in, does that disable the connection for the jack after that (i.e. can I plug an iPod into it and use it when not using the Sirius)?

Maybe you could split the AUX input so that there were two inputs, but I think you would need a way to make sure that only one source was powered when two different sources are plugged into the AUX. Or, if you have the factory N-BUS satellite connection, eakes posted that there is a device to split the N-BUS into two AUX connections. I think this might be it:
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/pacaainis.html

4) I am nervous about pulling the faceplate off for the radio to get behind it. Do most people just use a screwdriver and pop it off top to bottom, or do you have to have a dash trim removal tool? In either case, I also read that some clips pop off and drop and some people had problems with that. Just don’t want to ruin my faceplate.

I have had it off a bunch of times, never lost any clips or noticed any loose clips. Don't use a screwdriver or you will probably mar the plastic. I just pull it off with my fingers.

[JayWolf]

Thanks for clarifying about the fuse block. That makes complete sense.

I am going to investigate the AUX information you gave me, which pretty impressive. This forum never ceases to amaze me.

Glad you told me that the faceplate comes off without a tool. I almost gouged mine all up with a screwdriver yesterday.

More planning I see. I will document and post pictures once I get everything figured out and completed.

[titanse05]

well I got beat to it.....all good info and I used my fingers as well to remove the center bezel.

[Pugsly]

i use a 6 inch putty knife to remove the bezel, it's wide thin. strong and does not scratch at all. i place it on the upper seam near the middle stirage tray on the dash.

[A2titan]

Ok Breath. Here's the route I'm going with my Starmate. It's going in the forward most overhead bin. I just got the STV2 kit from the Sirius Store out in Calif. Their store lists it for the streamer which is the sister unit of ours. It has a din plate (I may or may not use that), a hard wire power cord, a set of stereo rca plugs and a FM switching box adapter which gives you the choice of stereo or FM. Now, I'm waiting on a PAC aux input adapter (AAI-NIS) which is plug and play to our headunits (They just tested it on the Titan) and gives us 2 (TWO) switchable inputs into the stock Sat input plug via our steering wheel controls. This was on national backorder due to PAC updating it but is now shipping according to PAC. I'm also going to add a PIE line amp between the Starmate and the aux input adapter, to up the line input to headunit. If I was really a risk taker I would figure out how to add it after the aux input adapter so both switchable feeds were boosted from the amp but I going to stick with plug and play.
Others have installed it in the upper bin and it's really nice to be able to shut it if you don't want to look at the blue readout at night. Just close it and use your remote.

[Marc]

To be honest I never used the PIE...wired straight through the AUX it was more than loud enough, and there have been no issues with sound quality. I have all the wires hidden behind the dash, and I did lose some of the metal side clips from the faceplate. I did not worry about it though b/c with the top and bottom ones the faceplate is still held on tight enough. I wish I had a digital camera handy so I could post pics. I had drilled a small hole in the center dash bin and ran the wires up to the Starmate, which I velcroed there. I also used a rubber grommet so that those wires coming up don't rub and eventually fray on it. I then notched out the corner of the rubber mat so I could put it back in there....antenna I ran to the back and out through the third brake light.

[mahoneyj]

All the other great info you got is similar to what I did for my Sirius Sportster install. I tied it directly into the passenger side cigarette lighter with a wire tap. Worked great.

It may be easier to actually mount the antenna on the roof instead of on the dash unless it’s easy to get the wire there. It only took me about 20 or 30 minutes to run my antenna wire for the roof though the third brake light an then along the passenger side by just slight pulling up the interior panels and removing the panels along the door openings. It went much easier that I thought. You will need a deep well socket for removing the brake light. I think its 10mm.

I also used a Vehicle Specific Dash Mount I bought form Crutchfield. It worked well and all my wires tucked neatly into the cash just above the mount. You can barely see them.
http://www.crutchfield.com./S-pa1ZAK...g=251850&avf=Y

I used the putty knife method to remove the radio faceplate and I did break one metal clip the third for 4th time I pulled the radio plate off. I did the install incrementally over a few days but to time constraints. Remember when you pull the radio face off if you disconnect the air bag light and cycle the key you will need to reset the air bag malfunction light.

Good Luck.