Instructions for adding Android head unit to Insignia, without loss in functionality.

[CALEB]

This topic is an upgrade from my old topic with obsolete headline. https://insignia-drivers.uk/forum/in...droid-4-4-unit


Since time has passed and experiences gained, also new information and technology has become available, I decided to renew the topic.


Adding Android head units to Insignia has always been tricky. These units only work 100% as replacements when your Insignia has older entertainment system CD300 or CD400 (with small red monochrome display and no navi)
For the updated factory systems like CD500, DVD800 or newer, there are no Android head units available that will work as 100% replacements - there will always be some functionality loss.
Mainly it's the car dashboard button panel that ceases to function. Not even lighting up. (Well it might light up with some Android head units, but buttons will not work)


I've searched for a long time for some working solution to this, until I realized that there aren't any. Probably because this is not a straightforward job to get it working. It might seem somewhat easy once explained, but I did extensive researches and many trial-and-error attempts until got it right. (There might be others who have it working, but I didn't find any guides). Fortunately I'm the kind of person who never gives up, "willing to go the extra mile".

There are few android units that claim to work 100%, but these are the ones that add "tesla style" big screens that replaces the button panel with the screen. Big problem with these units - no physical volume knob. It's a driving hazard when you have to look where exactly the volume slider is on the touch screen and in cold weather, when wearing gloves, it's even more annoying to use. (And radio reception is usually crap with these units)
There are also some "normal" units (not tesla style) that get the buttons to light up, but it's just that. Still not working. (I had one of these, ordered from Italy, they claimed buttons will work. But after confirming the buttons only light up but not actually working, the seller claimed that the car must be manufactured in Italy - then the buttons work. I don't know - how are the same cars different ? Anyways - they were nice and agreed to take the unit back and sent me money back)


My method is to set things up so that the factory unit will not be replaced, but instead both - the Android unit and the factory unit will be installed in parallel.
If using this method I engineered, the original unit (CD500, DVD800, or newer) remains functional, you never have radio reception problems and volume changing is possible without looking and fumbling on the screen. You won't lose anything and every unit will work, giving you all the extra functionalities. Win-win.


Now, there are some things to be aware of:

1. It will take time.
2. It requires some basic electrical skills (or a friend with such skills) or skill to follow instructions carefully.
3. You need to relocate original factory unit's display. (Or you can ditch it, but although it will work without the display, it's better to leave it usable because factory unit will remain working.)
4. The cost of the Android unit. (Cheapest units are around 70 dollars, but I recommend at least 4GB of RAM, these units are around 150 dollars. If you want maximum speed with all the bells and whistles and recommended 8GB RAM, 500 - 600 dollars. (Aliexpress).
5. Depending on the Android unit - you might need to make it smaller. I suggest buy one of the newer ones that have all the tech behind the display. Much easier to mount everything and much less work.



These instructions are based on my experience and work on my own car. I've successfully done this with two different Android head units.

I guarantee - following these instructions, the button panel will stay functional, it will light up and all the buttons will work for all the car's original functions. You can listen to original factory unit's radio or CD, use original navigation (though it will be obsolete with android unit).

For the android head unit - you have to press the CD/AUX button on the car's button panel to switch the audio input to the android unit if you want to hear audio from it. And yes, the round audio volume knob will totally work for the unit. (Because it actually works for the factory unit, but if connected like in my instructions, the android unit's audio goes through the factory unit).
PREVIOUS and NEXT buttons won't work for the android unit, but they remain working for the original factory unit. Everything original remains working.
For the Android unit you still can switch to the next song using steering wheel buttons or touch screen buttons.




Ok, now the instructions will follow. (Based on Insigna A with CD500, but should be valid for every model)

[CALEB]

What you will have after acquiring an Android head unit:





What you need to do:

You have to take the wires (with the pug) of the android head unit and cut these from the plug that connects to the car plug, one-by-one, and connect these wires directly onto the car wires, so that the car plug remains free to connect with factory unit (where it was connected before).
IMPORTANT! - do not connect audio wires that way, real danger of frying things. Connect the audio wires from the android unit the way I will describe further. These should be marked.



To know which wires are the audio wires you don't want to connect because of the short circuit hazard, check this picture:
You need to find similar diagram for your android unit. (you can also check the wires - maybe they're labeled)


If this does not help you, find your car's factory unit's big plug's pinout from internet (or ask from car dealers, repair shops) and then you can see which ones are the audio wires and by comparing the plugs, you can find the audio wires in android unit's plug.




To connect the wires correctly, use this method:


Connectors you can use to connect the wires:




Just in case I add here this:
I had few extra plugs (big ones) with wire (came with another device),
so I made a connector wire:


But since you probably don't have these types of plugs laying around, you need to follow the "drawings". But the principle is the same.
(it's for the people who have these plugs for some reason or are willing to acquire these)






How everything should be set up: (The most important picture)
From the android unit's additional audio output I connected a longer wire with earphones plug and connected this plug into the car's original audio input inside the armrest, next to the USB plug. This way I can send Android unit's audio through car factory system and use physical volume knob.

[CALEB]

Now, some specifics on what to do if your Android unit is big like a brick:

You need to make it smaller, so it could fit under the factory unit.

That's how I did with my first android unit:

Removed the metal casing, only back side that has plug holes, remained, but folded it 90 degrees to L shape, as vertically shallow as possible. (It acts as a cooling plate)
Then I removed everything unneeded and made acrylic casing. (As small as possible)






Then I removed the car original bluetooth device to make room (and also because the android unit already has bluetooth)

That's the car original bluetooth unit: (removed it together with it's black plastic surrounding)



Inserted the android unit:


And CD500: (into it's original location):



It's a difficult work with hands inside and behind the units, fitting the plugs and getting bloody.
To make more room for the wires, there was this plastic support behind the CD500 unit. I cut this support off. It's not needed.


If you can't make the android unit small enough, I would suggest to trash it and buy another one. (With as much RAM as possible, to last a long time without starting to feel slower)

(Or, if you don't want to buy another android unit, but cannot mount current one into the dashboard together with CD500, then you need to attach longer wires and find
better place for it. But that probably also means longer wires between the unit and it's display)




How I solved the original CD500 display relocation:


And to answer probable questions: no, the screen will not be distracting, even at night, and yes - I'v passed MOT tests with this every time (many years now) without any questions. (At several different MOT inspections, in different locations)

[CALEB]

That's how it looked with my old Android 4.4 unit that I mounted under the CD500: (sorry for the slightly out-of-focus picture)




...
I bought new unit because old one was too slow with only 2GB RAM.

My newer android unit is mounted behind the larger display, so I could put car original bluetooth back.
That's the backside of the newer unit:

The result is nice and I really recommend this type of android units. Easier to install and screen is much larger and better to reach. And have more possible additions (like 360 degree camera system, tire pressure monitoring system, ADAS, and much more)

Final result:




_______________


Well, that's all. Do this at your own risk. If there are questions, I'm happy to answer as best as I can.

This is just my take on this. It may or may not suit everyone's needs.

[RBH]

Fantastic write up Caleb.

This will be a great help to others

[CALEB]

For the internet in the Android head unit I use Android app named "Auto Hotspot" in my Android phone. It just needs bluetooth on. First you have to pair your android head unit with your phone, using bluetooth. Then, in this app you set it to activate phone's wi-fi hotspot if phone's bluetooth detects the android head unit. If you go away from the car, then it disables the hotspot automatically.
Basically - I just have my phone in my pocket and when I get in my car, there's internet in my Android head unit.
Benefit - no need for extra sim and no extra bill every month.

Don't know about iPhones, but I'm sure there's some similar app.

[Penny]

That's quite a lot mate ,I my self have tried to do some research to try and get steering wheel controls but no luck. I've managed to install the android headunit but have give up on the steering wheel controls as I don't know where on the steering wheel do I splice wires to the head unit ..Hope you might have a clue.. I've posted some pictures of my model if you're will to help.

[RBH]

That's quite a lot mate ,I my self have tried to do some research to try and get steering wheel controls but no luck. I've managed to install the android headunit but have give up on the steering wheel controls as I don't know where on the steering wheel do I splice wires to the head unit ..Hope you might have a clue.. I've posted some pictures of my model if you're will to help.

You should have a connector with the android that goes to the plug on top of the steering column.
Remove the steering cowling and expose all the gubbings.

Heres probably the best picture I can find.....is this the same as you're wiring you received with your android?

Picture is courtesy of marko301 from many moons ago

[Penny]

Yh I've got that little that as you stated plugs behind the steering wheel.But it's not wired up like yours ,it's separate.Can you send a closer picture showing the colour coding that's are attached together, as it might be a matter of splicing them in myself to the main harness. hopefully you have now cracked the code .. Here is a picture show the spots I'm talking about.

[CALEB]

Hmm…

Steering wheels controls have worked for me out of the box with both units that I've had. Didn't splice into anything for this. But my car is older model, so not sure about how it should work for newer ones.

For what it's worth, I ordered my newest unit from Aliexpress, seller shop name "Soarcommer"
They sell for different Insignia models.