Adding XM to non-Bose® Infotainment system?

Go directly to:     Accessing the TAU      John M’s excellent write-up on his addition of XM

 

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A few people have inquired as to whether it is possible to add SiriusXM Satellite radio to a 2017 Classica, after-the-fact.  I thought XM was unique to the Bose setup, but the service manual implies that the only electronic difference is the additional Bose amplifier unit. This might explain why those of us with the non-Bose system find a XM activation card in our glove box – because perhaps technically we have a XM radio in the car (just not the antenna).  According to the schematic in Mazda’s Service Manual…

…, it appears that the XM tuner might already be integrated into the Tuner & Amp Unit (TAU) that is common to both Bose® and non-Bose systems already, and if that is the case, it may simply be a matter of plugging a XM antenna module into the TAU to end up with XM capability. The actual system schematic is here.

I don’t think I would add the shark-fin antenna though, as there are more subtle versions available.

⇓  Here is one from Eightwood for ≈$16 that looks like it plugs right in (I don’t know if this one has the suggested integrated amplifier though).  Because our cars are convertibles, locating the antenna on the dashboard or somewhere behind the seats may work just fine*.

⇓  Here is what the factory XM antenna wire (yellow “FAKRA”  Type K connector) looks like plugged into
⇐  this “FAKRA” port in the TAU (click photos to enlarge)…

If my theory is correct, after the antenna installation, the CMU should recognize the XM capability and it would be added as an audio source.  I may not even have to disconnect the battery ground, before installation like you normally do with anything electronic. If XM isn’t recognized, I’ll do that step and hope that when reconnecting the negative battery terminal XM will be recognized.

So, it is my understanding that during the 60-day free trial (and later, with a XM subscription), here in North America, live traffic data might also be fed into the Navigation system (in Europe, apparently the data is fed via FM Radio Data System (RDS) instead), if you can get the HD Traffic Data app to display….

I’ve ordered the XM antenna and will give it a try.  ⇓  ⇓  ⇓  ⇓  ⇓

[UPDATE 4/11/2017, 7/22/2019, 8/22/2019]

Well, as it turns out, apparently the TAUs are different between the Bose version and the non-Bose version vehicles, and even if the XM tuner circuitry was present,  there was no XM antenna port to plug the antenna into (nor was there even a punch-out in the steel housing for said port), at least for MY 2017, and perhaps early MY 2018.

The TAU modules can’t be exchanged, because the amplifier board in the Bose TAU is different as well, as it is merely a pre-amp that feeds the 281 watt Bose amplifier module behind the seats (with all different wiring harnesses), rather than the self-contained 100 watt amp in the non-Bose TAU, and it wouldn’t be able to feed your speakers.

• 2017 TAU in Classica w/o XM: Mopar # 68314342AA
• 2017 TAU in Lussos + Abarths w/ Bose +  XM: Mopar # 68314343AA

I will say though that anyone wanting to delete the shark fin from their trunk lid – yet still play XM audio, might want to consider the XM antenna, which isn’t much larger than a quarter, and seems to be a really nice looking substitute that you should be able to find a suitable location for.  It does have a strong internal magnet, and it turns out that the narrow external panel just ahead of the aluminum decklid is made of steel and might be one location to consider.  Personally, I think I would adhere it internally near one of the rollbars, as it would blend in better, or perhaps tuck it into the plastic spoiler/CHMSL assembly.

Also, removal of the trim (and reinstalling) was pretty straight forward following the directions below and isn’t as big a job as it seems on paper.  Had the XM jack been there, I would have been able to plug it in after steps 1 & 2 (without removal of the TAU).Regarding installation instructions (with photos) for items like this and backup cameras, an excellent how-to-guide was prepared by SargonDragon and makes a great reference document.

Sam has identified a XM tuner kit that will feed through the USB port of your Infotainment system, much the same as the built-in XM tuner.

Steve suggested “…using the Sirius phone app and Bluetooth into the radio. Works pretty well as long as I have a Cell signal”.

arthritisdoc has had good luck with this: SiriusXM Commander Touch Full-Color, Touchscreen Dash-Mounted Radio  as he explains here.  Stephen Rose is proud of his installation of the same unit.  ⇓

photo courtesy of Stephen Rose, who also went with the external tuner

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John M’s excellent write-up on his addition of XM (using a 2018+ TAU)

[Added 9/7/2019]

Since XM is incorporated into the non-Bose TAU design after MY 2017, John has installed a 2018 TAU from a parted-out Fiat (I personally think that a recent Mazda TAU would also work), and has submitted an excellent write-up (with photos) that I am publishing here, with his permission.  Although he was successful in that his 2017 U.S. Classica’s CMU recognizes XM for satellite radio, Nav Traffic data is not passed through.

Q.  Is it possible to add SiriusXM satellite radio to a 124 Spider that did not have it from the factory?

A.  If you have a 124 Spider without satellite radio and equipped with the non-Bose Fiat Connect 7″ touchscreen system with non-functional XM menu choices on your screen (most likely to be a 2017 Classica) then the answer is YES.  And it isn’t even difficult though it may be either expensive (about $1400 with new parts) or inexpensive (about $100 with used parts from a total-loss salvage car).

But be aware that the upgrade will only provide the opportunity to subscribe to XM audio channels [not the full range that includes Sirius’s channels].   Rather than incorporating a SiriusXM receiver, our TAUs apparently only have a XM receiver, which limits it’s capabilities somewhat, so subscriptions to SiriusXM Traffic for integration with navigation are NOT available to Miata and 124 Spider owners.

To make satellite radio work in a 2017 Classica with Fiat Connect/touch screen, all that’s required is to replace the 2017 (no satellite radio) “TAU” module with a 2018 non-Bose, Fiat Connect/touch screen Classica “TAU” module (all of which included satellite radio) – or equivalent from 2018 onward.  It’s a direct swap except for the addition of a connector for a satellite radio antenna.  Of course you’ll need a SiriusXM antenna as well.

Instructions for removal of the existing TAU have already been posted with illustrations but there are a few additional details.  All the interior trim pieces are easy to remove.  But the instructions don’t mention a small spacer at the base of the A post trim.  It will likely fall out when the main piece is removed.  If you miss where it came from, it will be obvious where it goes back in (after the A post trim) when the time comes.

There is a box-like control module not shown in the Mazda drawings that will be in the way just below the main horizontal wiring cable. With the battery disconnected, unplug it, pull it out of its bracket and then remove the bracket (one bolt).

The published instructions say to “pull out” two wire harness retaining clips.  That doesn’t do justice to the required effort or the result.  The clips are designed for one-time use and the barbs on the back side will break.  Suddenly – when enough force is applied.  Consider that a warning against a bruised hand.  A good time to mention that many of the metal edges in this work space are sharp so be careful and have some band-aid strips handy.

The TAU will come out more or less as described but it’s tightly fitted and requires some back and forth.  Expect to disconnect cable connectors as they become accessible on the way out.  The largest white multi-pin plug fits tightly and may be difficult to disconnect.

The 2018 TAU fits exactly like the 2017 with just the addition of the satellite antenna connector.  You will have to reconnect plugs from the top of the TAU downward on the way in (before actual mounting).  The AM/FM antenna connector is at the very top of the TAU and the connector cable has little extra slack. Do that one first!

It’s difficult to get the rubber-coated locator pin at the upper rear of the TAU (toward front of car) into the proper hole. It actually is possible with some contorted effort to get an average size left hand all the way up to the bracket hole and guide the pin in by feel.

Unless you want to go to the considerable trouble of installing a factory style fin antenna on the trunk lid, the simpler choice is a non-fin replacement style antenna.  The best current small antennas have a cable connector called an “SMB” type.  The Fiat/Panasonic TAU satellite radio antenna connector is a “Fakra Type K” (the connector on the cable has to be yellow or it’s some other Fakra type that won’t fit. Nor will an SMB fit).  This is a good opportunity.  While antenna shopping, get a “pigtail” cable adapter about 4 to 6 inches long with a yellow Fakra Type K end for the TAU and an SMB on the other end that will accept newer antennas. Plug the pigtail into the TAU before putting it in and enjoy easy access to the SMB end for connecting your new antenna cable.

After the TAU is in and connected, the two broken cable retaining clips will not go back in their holes securely.  That doesn’t appear to be a big problem but put some zip ties wherever they make you feel better.

About antennas:  Really the key to how well the radio will work.  The reason for the factory fin on the trunk is those do work best.  But there are good alternatives that work well and are much easier to install.  The simplest type is a small square black module (that includes a magnet) intended to be stuck somewhere on a car body. That means outside on an enclosed car, but on a cloth top convertible, inside is about the same as outside for radio signals (and exactly the same as outside when the top is down!).  The magnet feature is not much use on a car body that is mostly aluminum.

I tested 3 different antennas of this type in 6 different locations on my 2017 Classica.  I used my usual neighborhood “test track” loop which, besides a variety of driving conditions, is also very “satellite challenged” due to thick tall trees and bulky buildings.  The insides of these little antennas include electronic circuits that have been improving over the years.  Of the three I tested, the brand name but older antenna and the current generic both performed poorly – unbearable numbers and length of signal loss dropouts.  The most current, SiriusXM branded antenna (model NVGA3) performed quite well. At least a 75% improvement over the other  two. Very few and very short signal drops in only the most difficult spots.

I finally mounted the antenna on the flat interior plastic to the right of the roll hoop behind the passenger’s right shoulder, using 3M Command Brand click-in fastener strips cut to fit the antenna base.  I bought black ones so they blend in.  I was able to route the antenna cable from that spot to the TAU completely inside interior panels around the passenger seat and through the existing cable run under the door sill trim.   Excess antenna cable length is bundled with the  twist tie from the original packing and tucked out of the way. The antenna location is technically inside the car with the top up but I find no difference in reception top up or down.

When done, the “XM” menu on the touch screen will be active.  The preview on Channel One will be telling you to subscribe and your satellite radio unique ID will display on Channel Zero.  That number is essential to activate the radio.  If you have a used TAU from a salvage car, the ID will initially confuse SiriusXM because it will likely be on the donor car’s last owner account.  You’ll need to be very clear about how it got into your car so it can be re-associated with your car and not the donor car or its owner.

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SiriusXM satellite radio 

• When the CMU receives the operation signal/detects the switch operation, it sends (1) the control signal to the TAU.
• When the TAU receives the control signal, it switches (2) the tuner inside the TAU to SiriusXM satellite radio mode and initiates reception of radio broadcasts.
• The TAU detects the radio broadcast selected by the user using the tuner in the TAU based on the electrical signal received (3) from the SiriusXM satellite radio antenna. The audio signal of the detected radio broadcast is sent to the speakers. In addition, the detected radio broadcast information is sent (3) to the CMU.
• The CMU converts the radio broadcast information received from the TAU to a LVDS signal and sends (4) the LVDS signal to the center display.
• The speakers output (5) the audio based on the audio signal received from the TAU. In addition, the center display indicates (5) SiriusXM satellite radio information based on the LVDS signal.

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*    Found this regarding placement of the antenna inside the vehicle:

The main reason why XM and Sirius recommend not installing inside the car is because any metal surface over the antenna degrades the incoming signal. It also helps to have the antenna mounted on metal, but this is less critical. Since the Miata has very little metal in the roof (just the A pillars and the top frame) it makes mounting the antenna on the inside of the Miata a non-issue. I have a Nissan Murano too and had the XM antenna mounted in the 3rd light area because the rear hatch on the Murano is made of plastic and has no metal. This makes it completely stealth. Center windshield area of the NA has a indentation that is the same size as the small XM car antennas. Velcro works perfectly. I have 0 [signal] drops in the Miata.

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Accessing the TAU

Hopefully, just to plug in the XM antenna cable and route it to somewhere behind the seats, only Steps 1 & 2 will be necessary.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

2. Remove the following parts:

a. Scuff plate (passenger’s side)

b. Front side trim (passenger’s side)

c. A-pillar trim (passenger’s side)

d. Passenger-side lower panel

3. Disconnect the connectors.

4. Pull out the wiring harness clips.

5. Remove the bolts.

6. Move the tuner and amp unit (TAU) in the direction of arrow (1) shown in the figure and detach the guide from the body.

7. Move the tuner and amp unit (TAU) in the direction of arrow (2) shown in the figure and detach the positioning pin from the body.

8. Pull out the tuner and amp unit (TAU) to the position where the connector can be pulled out in the direction of the arrow.