PIE FRD03-POD/S User manual

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P.I.E. FRD03-POD/S iPod Adapter
Application/Installation and Instruction Manual
INTRODUCTION
Precision Interface Electronics (PIE) has released a new line of iPod interfaces that allow you to interface your iPod
directly to the OEM (factory) radio in select Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Vehicles. The FRD03-POD/S allows you to operate
your iPod (Mini, G3, G4, G5, Nano, etc) using the factory Satellite Radio controls of your Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Group
radio. Using this interface, the iPod will take the place of the Ford Satellite Radio System, providing you with one of the
most interactive factory iPod interfaces in the industry. Control of the iPod through the OEM radio includes, but is not
limited to:
1. Individual search of artist, album, playlist, song composer etc.
2. Ability to display the following TEXT fields:
Artist name (12-characters)
Song Title (16- characters, shown 8-characters at a time when song is first selected, 12 characters when
searching songs)
Album title (12-characters)
Playlist name (12-characters)
3. The option of using the factory Radio or iPod clickwheel to control your iPod
4. Direct connection of the iPod to Ford vehicle audio system for optimum sound quality
5. Charges the iPod internal battery
6. Plug-n-play installation: includes installation cable, interface and owner’s manual
Note: If a factory Ford Satellite radio is present, you must disconnect it before installing this interface.
IPOD COMPATIBILITY
Use the FRD03-POD/S with one of the following iPod models:
iPod (G3/G4, G5), iPod Photo, Nano, Video and iPod Mini equipped with a dock connector.
Note: The operation and functions of this interface described herein have only been confirmed with the following
firmware versions (see apple.com/iPod for firmware updates)
WARNING: The FRD04-POD/S is not compatible with iPhone, Nano (4G), iTouch (2G).
iPod (G3) iPod Nano iPod Photo iPod Video (G5) iPod Mini
Firmware v2.3 firmware 1.1 Firmware 1.2.1 firmware 1.1 firmware v1.4.1
firmware v3.1.1 (G4)
IPOD PLAYBACK FUNCTIONS
The control functions for the iPod using the factory radio’s satellite controls are similar to those used for the iPod itself.
Due to certain radio limitations, there are some differences in how the iPod information is accessed and /or displayed
through the factory radio.
The following describes how to control the iPod from the factory radio, and any similarity to the iPod‘s controls or
buttons has been noted.
1. Listening to your iPod.
Once the iPod is connected to the dock cable, press the SAT button to begin listening to your iPod. The iPod
will begin playing the song that is was currently at before it was connected. When the song title is first displayed,
you will momentarily see the first 8 characters of the title, then the next 8 characters, and then back to the first 8
characters.

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2. Selecting a song on your iPod
Now that your iPod is connected and you are listening to your music, you will need to put the radio into the
‘SONGS” category in order to select songs from the current playlist. This is done as follows:
Press the <DISC- TUNE> button on the factory radio until you see the “SONGS” category.
Once you see the “SONGS” category displayed on the radio, press the <SEEK> button. The next song in the
current playlist will be selected and you can now use the <SEEK> button to track up or down through the
current playlist.
As described in the next section “Controlling your iPod” the factory satellite radio controls are used in a variety
of different ways to navigate through your iPod library.
3. Controlling your iPod
<DISC-TUNE>- (similar to iPod clickwheel)
Allows you to toggle through the following categories:
CATEGORY OFF (similar to “Now Playing”)
At any time during a category or song search, pressing <SEEK> twice, while CATEGORY OFF is displayed, will reset
the radio display to the current song information, similar to the “NOW PLAYING” selection that the iPod uses. On
some radios, pressing any of the radio preset buttons will also perform a CATEGORY OFFF.
ALBUMS (See –“browse songs”)
ARTIST (See- “browse songs”)
COMPOSER (See- “browse songs”)
GENRES (See- “browse songs”)
PLAYLIST (See- “browse songs”)
If one of the above categories is selected using the <SEEK> buttons (ARTIST, for example) but no song is ultimately
selected, the radio will continue to display the last selection in that category. To return the radio display to the
current song information, select CATEGORY OFF and press<SEEK> twice.
A “CAT ON” message will be displayed if you attempt to enter into a category that you are already in.
PLAYMODE (iPod or HEAD)
With PLAYMODE displayed, press the <SEEK> button to toggle between the following modes as described.
”IPOD Mode”: When selected, upon disconnect and reconnect of iPod, the iPod display screen and controls are
now functional and the PIE interface functions as an auxiliary input adapter only. (You control the iPod using the
iPod button/clickwheel)
”HEAD Mode”: When selected, “OK to disconnect” reappears on the iPod screen and full iPod control is restored
to the Ford Radio.
To return radio display to current song information, select CATEGORY OFF and press <SEEK> twice.
REPEAT (ON, OFF)
With REPEAT displayed, press the <SEEK> button to turn the REPEAT function on or off.
To return radio display to current song information, select CATEGORY OFF and press <SKEEK> twice.
SHUFFLE (SONGS, ALBUMS, OFF)
Shuffle SONGS: Songs from the current category selection will play in random order.
Shuffle ALBUMS: Albums from the current category selection will play in random order.
To return radio display to current song information, select CATEGORY OFF and press <SEEK> twice.

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SONGS
Used at the end of a given search to play the first song in the selected category.
For example, if you select the ARTIST category and the first artist displayed is “Air Supply”, when you select the
SONGS category and press <SEEK>; the first song from “Air Supply” will be played.
SCAN
Press once to listen to the first 10 seconds of each song in the currently selected playlist. Press a second time to turn
SCAN function off.
<SEEK>
WHEN TOGGLING THROUGH CATEGORIES: Used to enter the displayed category. (Similar to the iPod select button)
WHEN IN “SONGS” CATEGORY: Used to select next or previous song (similar to iPod previous/next track buttons)
WHEN IN A CATEGORY OTHER THAN “SONGS”: Used to select next or previous selection in the current category
(similar to the iPod clickwheel)
WHILE LISTEING TO A SONG: Press and hold to fast forward or rewind through the current song. Audio is muted during
this time, however, audio returns and elapsed time is momentarily displayed once the SEEK button is released.
(Similar to iPod previous/next track buttons)
<REW - FF> or <TEXT>
WHILE LISTENING TO A SONG:
Press REW to view artist name for current song. Press REW again to return to song title, otherwise song title will return
in 3 seconds.
Press FF to view album name of current song. Press FF again to return to song title, otherwise song title will return in 3
seconds.
WHILE LISTENING TO A SONG (with SHUFFFLE ON):
Press REW then FF in rapid succession to select next song (momentarily displays 12 characters of song title).
Press FF then REW in rapid succession to select previous song (momentarily displays 12 characters of song title).
WHILE LISTENING TO A SONG (with SHUFFLE OFF):
Press REW then FF in rapid succession to view next song title (momentarily displays 12 characters of song title) while
current song continues to play. To play the song that you have located, and that is currently displayed, press the
SEEK button.
BROWSE SONGS
The following are examples showing the use of the factory adios’ satellite controls, as previously described in these
instruction, to perform browse and search functions similar to how the are done on the iPod itself.
BY ALBUMS:
Press the <DISC-TUNE> button until the “ALBUMS” category is displayed. Once the “ALBUMS” category is displayed,
press the <SEEK> button to enter the “ALBUMS” category.
NOTE: if you do not press the <SEEK> button within 4 seconds, the radio display will default back to the current song
information and you will need to start your category search over.
Using the <SEEK> button, locate the desired album.
Note: You can use a press of the REW or FF button (in rapid succession) to toggle through the albums without the
momentary audio mute that you get when using the <SEEK> button.
Once you find the desired album, press the <DISC-TUNE> button until the “SONGS” category is displayed. Once
the “SONGS” category is displayed, press the <SEEK> button to begin playing the first song in that album.

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BY ARTIST:
Press the <DISC- TUNER> button until the “ARTIST” category is displayed.
Once the “ARTIST” category is displayed, press the <SEEK> button to enter the “ARTIST” category.
NOTE: if you do not press the <SEEK> button within 4 seconds, the radio display will default back to the current song
information and you will need to start your category search over.
Using the <SEEK> button, locate the desired artist.
Note: You can use a press of the REW or FF button (in rapid succession) to toggle through the artist without the
momentary audio mute that you get when using the <SEEK> button.
Once you find the desired artist press the <DISC-TUNE> button until the “SONGS” category is displayed. Once the
“SONGS” category is displayed, press the <SEEK> button to begin playing the first song in that artist
BY COMPOSER, GENRE, etc:
To search by composer, genre, or playlist follow the sequence that has been described to search by album or
artist using the <DISC-TUNE> and <SEEK> buttons.
Once you become more familiar with the factory Satellite radio control buttons and how they have been
described to control your iPod, you can do detailed song searches such as going into playlist, then going into artist,
then into albums, and eventually to the first song within that album.
Depending on the amount of songs on your iPod, it is sometimes more practical to set the PLAYMODE of the FRD03-
POD/S to “IPOD” mode so that the iPod clickwheel controls can be used to more rapidly navigate through your
music library.
VEHICLE COMPATIBILITY
For use with the following vehicles when equipped with satellite ready radios with 16 & 24-pin radio connectors and a
“SAT” button on the radio face.
FORD LINCOLN MERCURY
2005 Crown Victoria 2004-06 Aviator 2003-06 Grand Marquis
2004-06 Escape 2004-06 LS 2005-06 Mariner
2004-05 Expedition 2004-06 Navigator 2004-06 Mountaineer
2004-06 Explorer 2004-06 Town Car
2004 Mustang
2004-06 Sport-Trac
WARNINGS!!
1. The FRD03-POD/S is NOT compatible if any of the above vehicles are equipped with factory Rear Seat
Entertainment (RSE) or factory Satellite radio—these options must be disconnected.
2. The FRD03-POD/S is NOT compatible if any of the above vehicles are equipped with Ford “World: connectors (16/20-
pin) if so – see our FRDN-POD/S
3. Radios MUST have a “SAT” button on the face and Ford “Phase II” 16 & 24-pin connectors on the back —
Due to the amount of Ford radios on the market, Discount Car Stereo recommends removal of the Ford
radio to verify the connectors — failure to verify these connector will lead to ordering the wrong part.

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INSTALLATION
This operations manual has been prepared to provide a thorough description of how to interface and operate the
iPod with your factory radio. All vehicles require different PIE interfaces and installation techniques. The information
given is for guidance and each installer should make necessary decisions that are not covered by the guide. Precision
Interface Electronics strongly recommend professional installation of all aftermarket equipment. The terms of warranty
demand that professional assistance of an experienced installed be present, as the installation may require special
tools and knowledge.
WARNINGS:
1. Ensure that the vehicle’s battery terminal (-) is disconnected before installation. Disconnecting the battery terminal
before installation of this interface ensures proper synchronization and helps avoid possible synchronization errors.
2. Ensure that normal control and operation of the vehicle is not impaired by the installation, mounting all pieces
securely and preventing interference to necessary vehicle operation.
3. This interface is suitable for use only in vehicles with a 12-Volt negative ground. Use on other supply voltage or
alternative polarity will damage the equipment.
Please read the installation guide thoroughly, making special note to the warming section, before beginning
installation.
INSTALLATION STEPS
1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal
2. Remove the factory radio using Ford radio removal tools (sold separately)
3. Disconnect the factory 24-pin and 16-pin (if present) connectors from the rear of the radio.
4. Connect the 24-pin and 16-pin connector of the interface harness in the radio
5. Reconnect the factory 24-pin and 16-pin (if present) connectors into the mating connectors on the interface
harness.
6. Connect the 10-pin Molex connector of the interface harness to the mating connector on the interface black box.
7. Connect the male 13-pin DIN of the 4-foot dock cable to the female 13-pin DIN of the interface black box.
8. Route the 4-foot dock cable to iPod location (i.e. center console, or glove box) Do Not Connect iPod yet.
9. Re-install the factory radio back into dash
10. Reconnect the negative battery terminal
Note: For best synchronization between iPod and radio, radio and iPod should both be ON.
11. Connect the routed 4-foot dock cable to the iPod. A symbol showing your battery is being charged will show next
to the battery indicator.
12. Wait a few seconds while the iPod interface searches for all the playlist(s). Searching time may vary depending on
the number of playlist (s)
13. After connecting the iPod to the interface, the iPod will show an “OK to disconnect” message. This message
means the iPod is in external control mode and proper synchronization is complete.
Note: If the “OK to disconnect” message does not appear within 5-10 seconds, please disconnect the iPod and
recheck your connections.

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WIRING DIAGRAM
Revised: April 13, 2009
© 1995-09 Discount Car Stereo, Inc. All rights reserved. Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.
iPod™ is a trademark of Apple Computers Inc. registered in the USA and other countries.