Installing the XCarLink adaptor for iPod, iPhone - VW Golf V (MK 5)

Hi
I'm thinking to buy one of these for my Golf. The website states that an existing cd changer can still be used at the same time; could you tell me if this is true/if a cable was supplied which connects both an existing cd changer and the xcarlink unit to the radio?
Many thanks; this guide was helpful.

Hi
Looking at similar myself is that a 2g or 3g iphone does it charge at the time

cheers Rob

thanks for this, very useful!

does the info from the ipod appear on the Golf's radio screen? Playlists as well?

thanks for the guide i recently fitted one to my golf mkV and was successful!
i recommend it! only thing is selecting between our cd changer and the ipod input we have to turn the radio on and off each time. maybe im doing it wrong!

Hi,

come into this a bit late but agree that this is very useful! One question - i want to use this with a 3G iPhone as you describe here. Can you still access iPod functions and other iPhone apps such as sat nav thru the phone when connected? i have heard that the xcar link locks the iphone and that you need to go into a "service mode" called "EX1" to get full control via the iPhone...

Cheers

Stu

Hello Jonathan,

I was admiring your photos of New York City. It's funny, I lived there for several years and never did make it to Wallman rink or the Statue of Liberty; I did take the Staten Island Ferry, which is the cheapskates version of the Circle Line.

The main reason I'm writing is because I am creating a web page with a news section, and would like to use the photograph you took of the news scroll at Times Square. Unfortunately, being an artist, I can't offer you anything in the way of compensation, but would be more than happy to give you a photo credit.

I appreciate your consideration,

Kindest regards,

Mark Signorelli

How is the XCarLink box connected to the back of the CD radio head unit, there is no picture/explanation showing how to run the cable from the xcarlink box under the ashtray to the back of the CD radio head unit. Please help!

Henry D

I'm glad it is not just me who was thinking that.

Jonathon, i don't suppose you fancy taking your car to pieces again to show us how it's done?

hi where do you buy this xcar link box from?? i got a golf mark 5 tdi 55plate would it work in that car does any1 know?? also can i change from track to track via the ipod instead of going through the stereo??

Hi Jonathan,
I read your blog before buying this unit and it’s definitely great. I used it with the RCD 300 head unit in a VW Golf although I wasn’t game enough to attempt the installation myself. I had the box mounted just above the foot well so that I could access all the sockets. The cable comes through just under the steering wheel and reaches my iPhone 3G which is mounted with a windscreen mount. It’s the only unit that I could find which also charges the iPhone. Choosing CD1 on my head unit allows full control over the iPod app on the iPhone so that you can make your song choices there whereas CD2 to CD6 choose the first five play lists and only lock the iPod app on the phone.
Thanks for your blog on this, have you tried the Bluetooth add on with this? If so, how well does it work?

Hi Jonathon
Great write-up ;) As 'stu' asked, can I use other apps, such as, satnav, on my iPhone 3G using this set-up? Also, are you able to make/receive calls whilst listening to music?
Cheers, Rob

Great stuff Jonathan, thanks for posting all this. I spent a happy afternoon (took me a little longer than it did you!) wrestling with my golf dashboard installing my brand new xcarlink unit and it works like a charm - so much better than the VW lead the dealer was going to put in the glove box. I wouldn't have even attempted it without your post so thanks very much!

Jonathan,

Thanks for the instructions for installing the xcarlink and removal of my car stereo - i wouldnt have considered doing it myself without them!
It did take me a while longer as i fed the cable through the airvent in the centre console box, thus the ipod is not on show. Also i was a bit heavy handed when dismantling the dashboard with the air vent attached, and had to spend a while re-assembling the air vents which was very fiddly. However it works a treat and i hope you are on commision from xcarlink!!!

regards

freddie

so do you think the xcarl is a good peice of technology. ( oh and sorry i joined a bit late my mate only told me where to go when i mention it.)

oh ok i will give it a go as well as the xcarl .

Hi Jonathan,

Nice write up, I am hoping to fit this in my mk4 Golf.

I am trying to piece together all the info I can find on it, but the replies in this blog fly off in all different directions, so if you and anyone else that has contributed to this could help in answering the below that would be awesome:

1 - how does this unit pick up a power supply? Does it wire straight to the battery, or pick up an internal point in the fusebox or somewhere else?

2 - I have a factory fitted satnav/radio interface but the satnav functionality is now redundant, so is mainly used as a radio. Im struggling to work out if the XCarLink adaptor communicates with the satnav to allow you to use that to control the iPod/iPhone?

3 - With regard to connecting an iPhone and receiving a call, do you need to physically accept the call on the iPhone? Or can you accept the call via a bluetooth headset?

Looks like a great bit of kit, and quite reasonably priced, and would love to purchase one assuming it meets certain criteria, so any help in answering the above is appareciated.

Best,

David

Digital product like i pod is also helpful in maintaining the digital technology upgarded.By using this technology we also entertain us and others.

Awesome thanks, I was worried you would need to wire it directly into the fusebox or battery. I have the factory fitted satnav unit in the car, so the standard radio/satnav is all one unit and the cd changer is in the boot.

Assuming I can control the iPod through this headunit, are the menus easy to navigate and will the headunit show track/album/artist names? What is the issue with playlists lsited as CD1, CD2... that is referenced above? It all sounds a little painful.

Ideally I would like the headunit to display the same info as the iPod/iPhone does, which means I can wire it into the glove box or similar. Hence why I asked about the iPhone and calls, because it would be a pain to have to dig your phone out of the glovebox to take a call.

When you mention the mic in your blog, can you elaborate a little on this? Where is the mic located to make calls?

Its amazing how, given this is such a bespoke product, the manufacturers website gives relatively little practical info on how it works in real life....

Again, Jonathan, thanks for your help

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks again for your input. Im still trying to get it clear in my head with what I could have to deal with if I were to buy one of these. Again from what Ive tried to piece together, my understanding is you can connect it as a passthrough, so you can keep use of both changer and ipod, but it wouldnt be a big deal if I had to disconnect the changer.

So if my understanding is correct, the interface on the factory fit headunit is poor when trying to control the iPod. Is it just playlists that are a problem? Can you navigate albums or artists via the headunit? Or is this a problem as well?

It sounds like you really need the ipod to hand to be able to select music, and if that the case, im beginning to think that if thats the case, then why bother with the XCarlink (aside from bluetooth phone functionality)? As you can buy a cheap aux cable to run to the back of the headunit for £12 and then a cigarette lead to charge the iphone is £5, and a female cigarette lighter socket to hardwire in to the fusebox is no more than £5, so £22 vs £85 odd seems a bit of a no brainer... The only other added benefit I can see is that the XCarlink would charge the ipod too... so would result in one less cable. Unless Im missing something....

As an aside, Jonathan did you look at any kind of mounting bracket? I have a problem, as the factory satnav might have been good in '03 but doesnt cut the mustard now, and Im thinking of hardwiring in a Garmin/TomTom as well. Having to mount both an ipod and satnav leaves space a little tight, and im not a fan of satnav on the iphone either..

Anyone any thoughts on mounting devices, and additional XCarlink comments always welcome.

Hi Jonathon, i need something better than the current tape connector; do you know if this piece of kit will work with a mk IV golf?

cheers

T

Hi jonathon. i have a vw caddy 55 plate and was wondering if the xCarlink is compatible? as it sounds like a fantastic bit of kit and well worth it. Also do you know of any signal boosters for vw aerials as mine is in the windowscreen and reception is shocking, many thanks

Great set of instructions Jonathan, thanks for taking the time to post them. After reading your article and even with limitation of the the music playlist user interface, I still think I will buy one.

One question though, when you remove the radio, do you have to disconnect it from the power to be able to plug the xcarlink connector in? I'm slightly worried about this as I don't have the code for my radio.

Cheers
Ivan

Jonathan,
i apologize for perhaps asking the same questions as others. You are a superstar for running this site!

So I have had this mk5 5 for 3 years and have finally decided to set up the iphone 3gs with it.

The bluetooth adapter. where did you mount the mic? did you run it up to near the visor?

DO you have any photos of this.

Thank you so much in advance this is just the last piece of the puzzle for me ;)

Hi

I have just bought an XCarlink.

Unfortunately I also have a Parrtot CK3000 with a Connects 2 CANBUS controller for bluetooth with steering wheel controls.

An installer has told me that I cant install both as they use the same connection for the CANBUS controller. Do you know if this is the case and if it is possible to workaround?

Hello, I have a rcd 300, but has no cd charger! Just turn on xcarlink and works? thanks

I was really excited when I saw this. Then I read the dreaded sentence: "I ran the cable from the bottom of the centre console to behind the CD radio unit." Without pics on how to do that bit (which seems by far the hardest part) I'm too scared to try!

Also, Jonathan says that "In order to do this, the cigarette lighter and ashtray needs to be removed." but isn't the cable going to be running down behind all the heating controls? wouldn't that panel need to be removed too?

Would rather have a Parrot CK3200 BlueTooth Car Kit (+ ISO Car Stereo / VW Car Kit Adaptor)

With that you get a full colour screen with track/caller info, a simpler install, stereo mics, track selection buttons to hand, and regular software updates.

Your solution is more expensive, more messy, has less functionality, and is more difficult to install.

Hi,

my mk5 doesnt have a cd changer, will I still be able to install this? is it a standard slot? or does it have to have the cd changer?

thanks

I have read all the Questions and answers but still cannot see where you have in detail explained how to connect the unit to the stereo. All you talk about is positioning the unit and connecting it to your i-phone etc. So only half a job??

Thanks for this very useful guide. Where did you earth the Xcarlink device?

Thanks

Grahame

Hi,
Where did you earth the cable?

Thanks for the guide.

I successfully fitted the XCarLink + Bluetooth module yesterday. 

hi has any one got a guide on removing the center console and dash for installation on the xcarlink

Hi Jonathan,

I have recently purchased an Xcarlink and Bluetooth module for my mk 5 golf but I'm having a few problems with it.

I have installed it correctly & it works fine with my i phone apart from a few issues I have with it.

Firstly, when the radio is playing & I receive a call I have to press the audio sign on my phone to get it to connect to the bluetooth & the cd button twice on the stereo to get the sound through the stereo. I find this really annoying but also distracting & dangerous while I'm driving & I shouldn't have to only listen to a cd or tunes on my i phone to be able to use it. 

Secondly, to hear anybody on the bluetooth I have to turn the volume on the stereo right up to nearkly full volume & then once the call is disconnected the stereo is blaring which is really annoying.

Thirdly, where has everyone fitted the bluetooth module, as the only way out from pressing all these buttons when answering a call is to fit the module somewhere so you can press the button to receive a call but I find that the lead for the mic is too short for the module to fit anywhere neatly & the module is quite an eyesore to have on show. I want something that is discreet & not on show.

Any answers will be much appreciated.

Russ

I was using one of the those rubbish fm transmitter things to play my ipod since buying my Golf a month ago.  Beyond useless it was.  Your guide to removing the car stereo and install the X-Link is excellent and worked a treat.  It took me about 45 minutes from start to finish and  I don't think I would've been able to figure it out without it.  Thanks alot.

Hi Jonathan, I have an earlier model of the xcarlink than you (which I bought off ebay). It states it is compatible with rcd300 stereo (vw golf). Although I cannot get mine to work.  I'm thinking the issue is that my earth cable is missing from the unit. Could this be the problem as to why it won't charge and isn't recognised by cd changer?

Please help me!!!

How long is the actual lead coming from the unit to the iphone? Would it be long enough to go onto the air vents above where you have put yours? Knowing this would probably make me buy the product because using my phone as a satnav at times its useful to have it higher up.

Thanks for the guide though looks good and simple to follow.

Hi I was just wondering how and where you attached your earthing cables (the 2 wires with the rings on, I case there not called earthing cables)

Hi Jonathon,

I have the Mk5 golf match where a ipod dock already comes in the armrest set up (where the cd changer would normally be).. unfortunatley it has stopped working so I was wondering whether you could plug the xcarlink straight into the wiring block that is already in the armrest? saving me from having to take the headunit out? 

thanks, 

Camilla

Just wondering where you earthed the cables too ?

Hi Mate,
I installed one of these in my mazda 6, and I've just bought  a Golf. Do you need to take out the head unit to connect this to the CD changer port or can you do this without removing the head unit?
Thanks,
Dan

I love the Internet because of people like you! This guide is awesome. XCarlink is awesome. Thank you.

ive just got an 08 golf tdi, it has an ipod dock in the arm rest, when i press the cd button twice all i get is no cd, took the head unit out, thanks to your instructions, to check if it was properly plugged in, and it was, what could be the issue?