DIY Carplay/Android Auto Carsara Install and Setup Tips

[Bungers]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

For Carplay, no. Audio, maps, and messaging are the main "Frameworks" that Apple allows people to build apps for. (Reason you haven't seen any Carplay games, video players, etc).

Android auto is more limited, I believe someone had Torque working but only on an older and no longer available version of the OS.

I think the only way you could get this done would be to do screen mirroring, and I think that would require a BT dongle if screen mirroring is running over Wifi. You may get weird connection problems but you could certainly try it as a science experiment.

Good point, the base OS must be some flavour of Android though?

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by Bungers

Good point, the base OS must be some flavour of Android though?

No, this is an Embedded OS it's not running Android like some of the full up Android headunits. It's a System on Chip architecture.

The F30 guys have been decompiling the firmware and really hacking features between these boxes, but it's pretty limited beyond just trying to cherrypick features from a specific firmware.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...75929&page=329

[Bungers]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

No, this is an Embedded OS it's not running Android like some of the full up Android headunits. It's a System on Chip architecture.

The F30 guys have been decompiling the firmware and really hacking features between these boxes, but it's pretty limited beyond just trying to cherrypick features from a specific firmware.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...75929&page=329

Cheers. That would make sense I guess. Is there a firmware repository anywhere as Carsara’s site doesn’t have any updates.

[discoboy1]

Anyone knows how to get the latest firmware for the carsara? Shows a blank page on their website

[smokinjoe64]

Originally Posted by akkando

That was me, I did get the right cable eventually from seller. I wish there had been a cheap cable I could order that would get here faster. Everything worked once I got the cable.

Originally Posted by e92335drew

I think that’s what I have going on.

Just unboxed, started install today and the same CRAP.
Wrong cables same as pictured above.

How did this nonsense get resolved?

[Nazty Naze One!]

My equalizer settings in case someone was looking for an option. I have the premium audio and this seems to be a good mix for a few genres (rock, hip hop, pop, electronic).

Sound is subjective so keep that in mind.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by smokinjoe64

Just unboxed, started install today and the same CRAP.
Wrong cables same as pictured above.

How did this nonsense get resolved?

Did you figure it out before you had car apart? I contacted them via Ali express messaging.

[smokinjoe64]

Originally Posted by akkando

Did you figure it out before you had car apart? I contacted them via Ali express messaging.

Of course not, that would have been 'too easy', right?!?
80% complete with install...then BAM

Sent a message through Ali Expess, thx. How quick were they to respond and resolve the cable issue?

Reassembly this morning.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by smokinjoe64

Of course not, that would have been 'too easy', right?!?
80% complete with install...then BAM

Sent a message through Ali Expess, thx. How quick were they to respond and resolve the cable issue?

Reassembly this morning.

It got sent out in a few days but I think it was like two weeks to get to me. I tried to buy the cable I needed on Amazon but almost everything was coming from China so it would take just as long. It's not even clear to me exactly what kind of cable it is.

I just installed everything and buttoned it back up but left the cic trim piece off. CarPlay worked but couldn't see bmw menus and I had no audio because I coded rear aux from the quadlock but couldn't get to bmw menus to select that audio source. In hindsight I probably could have disconnected the LVDS from CarPlay, booted bmw menus, selected front aux, shut it down, switch LVDS to CarPlay boot it back up and had audio.

[Boston4]

I’m still waiting for my order to arrive - it’s in the US in customs. Good reminder to try to validate that I have all of the wires before ripping the car apart.

[smokinjoe64]

Originally Posted by akkando

It got sent out in a few days but I think it was like two weeks to get to me. I tried to buy the cable I needed on Amazon but almost everything was coming from China so it would take just as long. It's not even clear to me exactly what kind of cable it is.

I just installed everything and buttoned it back up but left the cic trim piece off. CarPlay worked but couldn't see bmw menus and I had no audio because I coded rear aux from the quadlock but couldn't get to bmw menus to select that audio source. In hindsight I probably could have disconnected the LVDS from CarPlay, booted bmw menus, selected front aux, shut it down, switch LVDS to CarPlay boot it back up and had audio.

Interesting idea...not sure how to do the swaps described w/only the original LVDS cables connected.

[luckyse7en]

Mine just cleared customs too. Hoping I got the right cables...but I guess it wouldn't be the end of the world for me...I'm coming from a joyeauto V1 box. Im sure I can reuse the LVDS cable from that box if needed.

[smokinjoe64]

Originally Posted by akkando

It got sent out in a few days but I think it was like two weeks to get to me. I tried to buy the cable I needed on Amazon but almost everything was coming from China so it would take just as long. It's not even clear to me exactly what kind of cable it is.

I just installed everything and buttoned it back up but left the cic trim piece off. CarPlay worked but couldn't see bmw menus and I had no audio because I coded rear aux from the quadlock but couldn't get to bmw menus to select that audio source. In hindsight I probably could have disconnected the LVDS from CarPlay, booted bmw menus, selected front aux, shut it down, switch LVDS to CarPlay boot it back up and had audio.

Good News - 100% installed - A damn enjoyable upgrade

Sorted out the LVDS cable issue with Carsara rep via AliExpress msg.
1st - My bad for not trying all combinations.
2nd - Cable stickers mislabeled.

99% Functional
Exception - Mic not functioning
Used the supplied cable, plugged into OE mic input, then plugged OE wire to Carsara cable, then plugged Carsara male mic input into female connector to the MMI harness.

Is there a software setting, something else, or what am I missing?

[georgebmwM3]

Hope someone here can help. I’ve put in the Andream CCC head unit for CarPlay. I got it to work except for the AUX cable has to be plugged in. Someone in another thread said that by “coding out the USB” he was able to get it done without a cable. He had someone code it, so he didn’t know how. He said someone in this forum may be able to help. Appreciate anything you can provide.

[smokinjoe64]

Originally Posted by georgebmwM3

Hope someone here can help. I’ve put in the Andream CCC head unit for CarPlay. I got it to work except for the AUX cable has to be plugged in. Someone in another thread that by “coding out the USB” through someone who coded it, he was able to get it done without a cable. He said someone in this forum may be able to help. Appreciate anything you can provide.

Many threads re coding in this post beginning on pg 1...

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1788909

[georgebmwM3]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

See my post above re the coding options. This could be tested if you wanted.

Thank you for the information. I purchased an OBDLink MX+ and I downloaded bimmercode but can't find the section for the AUX coding options. Also if it doesn't work, can you code it back to original?

[smokinjoe64]

Originally Posted by georgebmwM3

Thank you for the information. I purchased an OBDLink MX+ and I downloaded bimmercode but can't find the section for the AUX coding options. Also if it doesn't work, can you code it back to original?

The coding required is in 'Expert' mode.
Actually, in two places [don't recall exactly]. Just probe around the categories; the codes listed are all there.

The App automatically makes a backup, just read carefully...works perfectly.

[georgebmwM3]

Originally Posted by smokinjoe64

The coding required is in 'Expert' mode.
Actually, in two places [don't recall exactly]. Just probe around the categories; the codes listed are all there.

The App automatically makes a backup, just read carefully...works perfectly.

Thank you.

[tdott]

Does anyone think this will work with the Carsara box?

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/aawireless#/

Would give it AA Wireless support if it works.

[muniz_ri]

Originally Posted by tdott

Does anyone think this will work with the Carsara box?

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/aawireless#/

Would give it AA Wireless support if it works.

I would expect it to work but I have not seen anyone try it yet.

[FloorBeamer]

After help from the people on this forum I decided to go for the Carsara box.
A couple of weeks ago I received it and installed it almost right away!

It is great!! Spotify, maps, WhatsApp, siri, oem mic even wireless airplane, bug free! Everything works amazing! Definite upgrade of your car!

The installation wasn’t a walk in the park or I should say: putting back the box after wiring wasn’t. The first time I couldn’t fit the box in the center console, well I could, but I got the strangest ervoor codes and warning lights on my car’s display.
Disappointed, but not beaten I decided to take it all out again, re-wire to the original setup and start over again.
This time I put the box in the glove compartment, since I never use it, it is spacious and easily accessible.
Got everything wired again, connected a usb extension cable and a double usb cable for charging purposes and installed it in the (phone) compartment between the seats.

I thougt that everything was ok, but.... My airconditioning wasn’t working properly anymore. It did make the sound of blowing, but did not blow. Aaaaargh!

Took the center vent panel out again and the box as well. Moved the (too bulky) quadlock around and gave it a different spot. Somehow it may have jammed the a/c valve which is right behind the head unit and airco control panel. This fortunately did the job and I immediately put everything in place again!

My biggest frustration was to tuck away all the bulky wires in that cramped space. Be patient and don’t rush. It if doesn’t fit, don’t force it but find another solution.

No it is working! And I love it!

[bighindu79]

Originally Posted by muniz_ri

I would expect it to work but I have not seen anyone try it yet.

Carsara already supports wireless Android Auto