Option 1

Go to a Citroen dealer and ask for the USB Box 9702.EZ or become a Premier Member and get one for £117.50 inc Vat

This fits in the Glove Box of your C4 / C4 Picasso and connects to the CAN Bus system on the car. It allows plug and play MP3 files via USB sticks and portable music devices (USB connections, I-Pod or Jack).

Once fitted Simply plug the cable into your iPod / MP3 player and switch on. It enables handling through the steering wheel controls as well.

Fits Citroen's with an RD4 and RT3/RT4/Navidrive.

USB BOX can be used in all vehicles with electric CAN architecture, regardless of the date of purchase of the vehicle and can be removed if you buy a new car.

Currently compatible with: C2, C3 and C3 Pluriel, C4, C4 Picasso, Grand C4 Picasso and other PSA Vehicles with generation architecture electrical CAN BUS

BOX USB has been tested with a large number of products from different brands available in the market, which ensures compatibility with almost 100% of MP3 players


Downsides

Not the cheapest option but one that should stop and warranty work on the electrical system being declined by Citroen

If a vehicle has a CD multi changer is essential to disable it.

In vehicles fitted with NAVIDRIVE track titles do NOT appear in the on-screen menu plus whilst there are no problems in the functioning of the browser, when the user insert an audio CD instead of mapping, it gets out of the route marked and the system will ask you to re enter the CD mapping.

Option 2

Go to a Citroen dealer and ask for the 9706AG cable or become a Premier Member and get one for £19.50 inc Vat

This utilises a spare input/output socket on the rear of the radio head unit (unless your car is fully loaded with Manufacturer CD Multi-changer and in car Telephone Kit) leaving no empty access socket on the rear of the radio



Simply plug the cable into the radio and the other end into your iPod / MP3 player headphone socket and switch on.

Only for Citroen RD4 - Ipod/MP3 Lead/Auxiliary input. It's actually a Kit of parts not just a simple lead. Includes connector block, 1 metre radio cable, 2.25 metre extension lead, cable bracket, clips and wiring diagram.

Please Note: The radio has to be configured by your dealer to turn the Auxiliary input on, either 1 or 2 and there may be a charge for that.

They do this by changing a setting in the RD4 unit to Classic Mode (conventional). However the computer software may also need updating first to allow the enabling of either/both ports to classic mode.

The lead comes as a 'Kit' so you can choose how to wire it dependant on which Aux port you use but doesn't take long to assemble if you look at the image below which I colour coded to make it easier (the one supplied is black and white) If the lead doesn't work make sure the connector is wired as follows:



Using Auxiliary 2 its: 7-RED 1- WHITE 2 BLACK

Using Auxiliary 1 its: 4-RED 10-WHITE 11-BLACK

There is a confirmed 3rd option if either of the above don't work then Citroen Service Support (and the manual) say wire it as: 11-Black 10- Red 4-White - confused - you should be!

You can't use a Mobile Phone on AUX 1 but can on AUX 2 - my Factory Fit CD Multi-changers player is Slot 1 already (which I think is the standard outlet for that as if you have Factory Fit Rear Parking Sensors it mutes the Radio/CD if your in reverse when the proximity 'Beep' kicks in)

As long as 1 of the ports are free and there is no other Auxiliary equipment then the Dealer will probably enable Auxiliary 1

It takes around 15 minutes to fit the cable (unless the Dealer does it for you) and you will require a set of Radio removal tools (but you can get these at most auto shops) however I have used the stem of 'Pop Rivets' successfully before!

The radio output cable from the Aux port is 1 metre long and terminates in a 3.5mm FEMALE audio plug. The 2nd cable is a male to male 2.25 metre long extension so you can basically put your iPod/MP3 player anywhere within reach. The instructions show it as a glove box fitting but you don't need to put it there if you don't want to. Just find a convenient compartment near at hand (you'll have more if you have the centre armrest fitted) or you might want to get a 'cradle' that fits your particular model and add a charging lead.

When connected and you use the 'Source Button' on the Radio you will find it now has another option:



The Sound quality is good as it's a direct feed into the Radio, You can still control the volume from the steering hub controls, you can mute the sound (but it doesn't pause the player like it does with the CD) Reverse Parking Sensors if fitted will still work and mute the sound when the proximity detector activates and Traffic Announcements will also work (if turned on on the radio)

Downsides: no power supply for your iPod /MP3 so a separate in car charger may be required plus you need to have an iPod on a high volume level (don't know about any other makes) which uses the battery faster.

You cannot adjust the Bass/Treble settings for the output either like you can for the Radio/Cd Multi-changer but with good quality recordings it doesn't really matter anyway.

You may want to add the 'input' socket currently supplied with the cable to somewhere easily accessible so thanks to BigJohnD for the following:

Here's my photos from this afternoon. (8th July 2007) I fitted the audio input socket, supplied with the Auxiliary cable 9706AG kit, in the void above the ash-tray. The ash-tray no longer fully opens as the newly installed socket prevents the lid for reaching the top of the aperture, but that's no big deal as I hardly ever use it.

1. PULL OUT THE RADIO USING STANDARD EXTRACTION TOOL.


2. DISCONNECT THE AERIAL AND QUADLOCK AND PUT RADIO TO ONE SIDE.


3. PULL OFF LEFT FASCIA TRIM.


4. PULL OFF RIGHT FASCIA TRIM.


5. REMOVE SCREWS LOCATED BEHIND L & R FASICA PANELS - REQUIRES T20 TORX DRIVER.


6. PULL OFF SURROUND, STARTING BELOW GEAR LEVER.


7. PULL OFF SURROUND FROM TOP.
The gear lever gaiter can be separated from the surround by simply pushing it out from the front, leaving it in place around the gear lever.
I took this opportunity to do some cleaning with those wipes from Halfrauds.


8. DASH WITHOUT SURROUND.


9. SURROUND REMOVED, SHOWING FIXING POINTS.


10. AUX INPUT SOCKET SCREWED TO SURROUND WITH SELF TAPPERS AFTER DRILLING PILOT HOLES.


11. FINISHED! RE-FITTING IS THE REVERSE OF REMOVAL, AS THEY SAY.
The cable comes around the side, as there seems to be no other access route.
I'd have taken a photo, but I didn't have enough hands!


This is our preferred route everyone however there are other options such as 'FM Transmitters' but the quality is so variable I would say - Don't Bother
For a printable version of this section only go to:

Alternative Options with good sound quality

Buy an IPod / MP3 ready replacement Car audio unit!

You can improve on the sound quality in your car overall with a complete replacement head unit. There are lots to chose from which car less than a CD player and are iPod or MP3 ready and are simply plug and play. There's a great selection listed below and you should find one to suit your pocket.

There's a great selection of iPod and MP3 ready CD Tuners available at Halfords like those shown below