DIY Carplay/Android Auto Carsara Install and Setup Tips

[akkando]

Originally Posted by E60525d

Right, I have spent some time and think I have found the problem.

So to recap, the issue I have is the maps voice is very loud when I get instructions. But all the other sounds from Youtube Music, Spotify, etc is fine.

The problem appears to be the sound settings in the Carsara menu is too high. The volume is set to 12 from memory which is the max.

I thought this setting works quite well because when I switch from my car audio source (radio, CD, USB) to either Carplay or Android auto, the volume level carries across and is the same.

So If i reduce the volume in the Carsara settings, it does indeed reduce the voice instructions in nav which therfore fixes the issue. BUT this also means the volume for everything else (youtube, Spottify) and also been lowered too.

I have the same problem. My work around right now is using Waze because I can set the volume to whatever I want in the app (phone settings). Siri is super loud though. Also if I bring my phone to another car of course Waze volume is almost silent then.

[argentic]

any one on Phoenix Az that can install it for me please?
I want car play in my 2011 M3 in Phoenix. Let me know.

[romero1990]

I wonder if voice and music are transmitted in 2 different ways. the music quality is great. but the Google assistance voice and phone call voice is crap somehow.

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by romero1990

I wonder if voice and music are transmitted in 2 different ways. the music quality is great. but the Google assistance voice and phone call voice is crap somehow.

Yes that is part of it.

A lot of people on various forums have reported this kind of an issue with standard Carplay and Android auto installations.

Bluetooth has a limited amount of bandwidth depending on the Bluetooth Audio Profile. Part of the issue may be that based on how much bandwidth is being used by the music app, there may be insufficient bandwidth left for the navigation/voice and it defaults to a lower quality profile/channel.

One possible idea would be to try lowering the audio profile of whatever streaming app you are using for music. For example, if you are using the high quality streaming on Spotify, try setting it to low quality for testing purposes, then re-run Google maps and see if the audio remains screwed up. That wouldn't fix the issue but might highlight part of the problem.

It would also be worth testing with no streaming audio just to see if the Google voice comes through normally when no audio is playing.

If it does, unfortunately it seems like this is just an existing issue with Carplay. When I use Carplay in my X5 I'm using the default BMW nav so I never notice this issue. I mostly use Waze for navigation anyways because I like to know where the cops are hiding.

[Bubbles]

Camera mod override switch with relay for 6MT.



Seller was unresponsive so I had to experiment a bit to get it to work

Battery 12V —> fuse —> power distribution block—> Relay —-> voltage rectifier —-> backup camera.

SPDT switch (on1 off on2) —> reverse backup light wire
—> wire to relay white line #86
—> tap wire #30 line from relay.


On1 (auto)—> switch remains here for default action (camera on when reverse lights on). Wire to backup light. It takes about 12 feet of GXL XLPE Stranded Wire, 12 AWG. I ran wire to the driver side center below the key socket.

Off —> wire to relay white line #86. If switch remains here no voltage goes to the camera. (Prevents relay from triggering). It takes about 12 feet of GXL XLPE Stranded Wire, 12 AWG. I ran wire to the driver side center below the key socket.

On2 —> wire to 12v+ from battery power (I piggybacked off #30 blue line if the relay). You could run to the cigarette lighter or fuse box. I prefer to run back to the same spot to avoid voltage differences. It takes about 12 feet of GXL XLPE Stranded Wire, 12 AWG. I ran wire to the driver side center below the key socket.
This will not light up the reverse lights since the circuit back to the reverse lights remains open at the switch.

[GTiceman]

Anyone else experiencing a draining battery? My keys are in the house but not super far from the car. It seems that sometimes the battery is super low and car won't turn over. Never had this issue before installing the unit. I know it stays awake for some time after locking the car based on what I can see on my phone.

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by GTiceman

Anyone else experiencing a draining battery? My keys are in the house but not super far from the car. It seems that sometimes the battery is super low and car won't turn over. Never had this issue before installing the unit. I know it stays awake for some time after locking the car based on what I can see on my phone.

I noticed the CarPlay will turn on very quickly when I unlock and open the door. The amp draw is normal if you lock the car.

If you don’t lock the car, CarPlay seems to stay connected for a bit which may cause amp draw.

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by GTiceman

Anyone else experiencing a draining battery? My keys are in the house but not super far from the car. It seems that sometimes the battery is super low and car won't turn over. Never had this issue before installing the unit. I know it stays awake for some time after locking the car based on what I can see on my phone.

How old is your battery?

It might produce additional draw if the car is unlocked which will make an unhealthy battery worse.

My battery was 11 years old I was amazed the car ran at all.

[derbo]

Originally Posted by Bubbles

I noticed the CarPlay will turn on very quickly when I unlock and open the door. The amp draw is normal if you lock the car.

If you don’t lock the car, CarPlay seems to stay connected for a bit which may cause amp draw.

The car wakes up if a door is opened, but it has roughly a 15 min idle to shutdown electronics if nothing is happening. The timer is reset if you close the door or open another, or touch the radio etc.

[GTiceman]

Originally Posted by derbo

The car wakes up if a door is opened, but it has roughly a 15 min idle to shutdown electronics if nothing is happening. The timer is reset if you close the door or open another, or touch the radio etc.

Originally Posted by Bubbles

I noticed the CarPlay will turn on very quickly when I unlock and open the door. The amp draw is normal if you lock the car.

If you don't lock the car, CarPlay seems to stay connected for a bit which may cause amp draw.

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

How old is your battery?

It might produce additional draw if the car is unlocked which will make an unhealthy battery worse.

My battery was 11 years old I was amazed the car ran at all.

Originally Posted by derbo

The car wakes up if a door is opened, but it has roughly a 15 min idle to shutdown electronics if nothing is happening. The timer is reset if you close the door or open another, or touch the radio etc.

I don't think it's the original battery, but it's at least five years old. I'm going to try and test the voltage.

Bimmerlink showing 12v but low charge. It's on the trickle now.

[magungo]

i'm still plagued by the echo issues on phone calls. I'm in the process of messaging the carsara seller on aliexpress but so far all they say is to keep waiting for a firmware update. i wonder why i'm the only one experiencing this echo issue.

[GTiceman]

Originally Posted by magungo

i'm still plagued by the echo issues on phone calls. I'm in the process of messaging the carsara seller on aliexpress but so far all they say is to keep waiting for a firmware update. i wonder why i'm the only one experiencing this echo issue.

Android or iOS? Using the stock mic? Did you edit any of the settings around audio? Are you connected to the car Bluetooth or just the carsara

[magungo]

Originally Posted by GTiceman

Android or iOS? Using the stock mic? Did you edit any of the settings around audio? Are you connected to the car Bluetooth or just the carsara

iOS - 14.4 with iphone 12 pro. Using the stock mic with their extension cable. Connected to only carsara. I deleted my phone through the native idrive. I have not modified any settings.

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by magungo

iOS - 14.4 with iphone 12 pro. Using the stock mic with their extension cable. Connected to only carsara. I deleted my phone through the native idrive. I have not modified any settings.

Did you try modifying the delay setting and testing again?

I checked this for you but I'm just using the "default" profile with no changes.

Can you try pairing a different phone from a friend or spouse to see if they have the same issue?

[Bubbles]

No echo issue for me with iPhone. Using stock mic and default settings.

[e30if]

Anyone run into an issue with the Menu button not actually switching to the Carsara box? I installed everything last night with #D removed and #A -> #B (tried the iDrive harness but the controller didn't work with any of the configurations), dip switches 3, 4, and 7 set ON, but holding Menu doesn't do anything. iDrive is functioning normally and the screen doesn't have any visible issues. I can connect to the Carsara box via Bluetooth and my phone tries to launch Android Auto, USB port is powered up as well but for whatever reason I just can't get it to switch.

Contacted the seller but haven't heard back yet, anything else I should try out? Left some trim off so I can get back in there quickly.

[magungo]

Originally Posted by e30if

Anyone run into an issue with the Menu button not actually switching to the Carsara box? I installed everything last night with #D removed and #A -> #B (tried the iDrive harness but the controller didn't work with any of the configurations), dip switches 3, 4, and 7 set ON, but holding Menu doesn't do anything. iDrive is functioning normally and the screen doesn't have any visible issues. I can connect to the Carsara box via Bluetooth and my phone tries to launch Android Auto, USB port is powered up as well but for whatever reason I just can't get it to switch.

Contacted the seller but haven't heard back yet, anything else I should try out? Left some trim off so I can get back in there quickly.

I have a 2010 335d with idrive without combox and I didn't have to make any modifications to the harness wire that connected to the idrive controller. Have you tried putting back that jumper?

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by e30if

Anyone run into an issue with the Menu button not actually switching to the Carsara box? I installed everything last night with #D removed and #A -> #B (tried the iDrive harness but the controller didn't work with any of the configurations), dip switches 3, 4, and 7 set ON, but holding Menu doesn't do anything. iDrive is functioning normally and the screen doesn't have any visible issues. I can connect to the Carsara box via Bluetooth and my phone tries to launch Android Auto, USB port is powered up as well but for whatever reason I just can't get it to switch.

Contacted the seller but haven't heard back yet, anything else I should try out? Left some trim off so I can get back in there quickly.

Did it work and then stop working? Or can you just not get the module to turn on?

Try L#->B# (#D Jumper stays removed) and see if that changes anything.

[e30if]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

Did it work and then stop working? Or can you just not get the module to turn on?

Try L#->B# (#D Jumper stays removed) and see if that changes anything.

It never swapped to the box, I could get audio out somehow though. I ended up just taking things back apart last night and redoing the cable management more carefully and it fired right up as expected, no idea what might have been wrong. I'm just going to blame a pinched cable for now, or maybe just fully resetting the box (completely unplugging the power source to it) fixed whatever bug was going on. Either way it's working as expected, so nice to have AA back.

[Andy_2424]

Hey does anyone know if it possible to change the Next and Previous track buttons on the steering wheel so CarPlay works the same way as the original stereo?

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by Andy_2424

Hey does anyone know if it possible to change the Next and Previous track buttons on the steering wheel so CarPlay works the same way as the original stereo?

Yes, that’s how it works for me.

[Andy_2424]

Originally Posted by Bubbles

Yes, that’s how it works for me.

Really? Would this be something I need to play around in the firmware then?

When I press up it goes to the next track and down plays the previous track, but I’ve gotten used to the BMW way of down is next track and up is previous.