wiring iPod to Alpine CDM-7857 head unit

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=83580
Printed Date: September 09, 2025 at 3:16 PM

Topic: wiring iPod to Alpine CDM-7857 head unit

Posted By: johnbee
Subject: wiring iPod to Alpine CDM-7857 head unit
Date Posted: October 01, 2006 at 3:06 PM

I'm trying to wire my ipod into the CD changer cable for my Alpine CDM-7857 (M-bus) head unit. Unfortunately, I can't use the CD changer-to-RCA input cable that Alpine sells (https://www.crutchfield.com/S-ALP9OUHjDWL/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=227550&tab=review&i=500KCA121B) because it only works with newer Ai-net Alpine head units.

Here's the pinout for the Alpine CD changer: (https://www.kettlemoraine.com/misc/jagsub.htm)

Wiring the power and right and left signal wires are easy, but I can't get the head unit to recognise that something is hooked up to this connector. I'm guessing I need to wire the "Accessory" wire to ground, but don't know for sure. Any ideas?

Thanks!

John

Replies:

Posted By: tcss
Date Posted: October 04, 2006 at 7:56 PM

Unfortionately no. This unit did not have the capibility for an aux input so it does not know anything is hooked up to it. It needs data signal from a CD changer for the unit to switch to the changer source. I don't know of any manufacturer that ever made that adaptor.

-------------
There is no such thing as free installation!

Posted By: johnbee
Date Posted: October 08, 2006 at 2:02 PM

Thanks tcss. Unfortunately, I came to the same conclusion. The accessory wire was simply a switched 12V source. Looks like I'm in for a new head unit...