CarPlay CarPlay adapter to convert to wireless CarPlay?

[BUXjr]

This consistent issue with the audio skip since the switch to the June firmwares leads me to believe that this is a new code branch being used and it is coming into a conflict with your HMI firmware. If either of you were in St Louis, I could check and update your systems (if needed) for a lot less than a dealer would ($50 for the programming access & lunch for the labor).

I wish my parents' 2018 Acadia had the Gen 2 Mylink w/ CarPlay system in it so I could test on there. Instead they were only offered the Gen 1 version.

I hear ya. But we know that they are capable of addressing it, as it did work before. They just need to identify the new code that introduced it and put a branch in, for GM vehicles. As a developer myself, I know for certain that this is VERY easy to do. C'mon engineers, get on the stick!

@StLouisCPhT, appreciate the insights and contributions to this ongoing effort. I'm keeping positive. I'm hopeful we'll see a fix soon that will get us to a place where it just works. I don't mind running a delay-relay harness, for the boot up issues, I just can't tolerate this 5min audio glitch. Such a PITA (or should it be, PITE - E=Ear)!

 

[1215991]

This is an odd question, but has anyone with a GM radio experiencing the audio glitch tested without the delay harness to be sure that is not causing an issue?

 

[Giovanni Valdes]

This is what I ordered.
Delock Y-Cable USB 2.0 A to 2 x USB 2.0 A (0.3m) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009EAF0RU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_-mb7DbTZ6M7PJ
should give loads of power to the dongle. I’ll put the red end in a ciggy lighter usb power thing.

What is this used for? Can it solved random disconnection?

 

[Carl Burke]

This is an odd question, but has anyone with a GM radio experiencing the audio glitch tested without the delay harness to be sure that is not causing an issue?

I have never used the delay harness and always had the 5 minute issue until the the 6/17 update now this POS doesn't work at all

 

[1215991]

I hear ya. But we know that they are capable of addressing it, as it did work before. They just need to identify the new code that introduced it and put a branch in, for GM vehicles. As a developer myself, I know for certain that this is VERY easy to do. C'mon engineers, get on the stick!

Unless it is an issue with the HMI firmware that has been resolved by GM and they do not have any units with an older, unfixed firmware to test with.

Or they only have Asian model GM radios and the issue is not present there.

GM seems to think global means US and AUS vs the rest of the world.

 

[BUXjr]

This is an odd question, but has anyone with a GM radio experiencing the audio glitch tested without the delay harness to be sure that is not causing an issue?

Of course -- you can bet we have! The delay harness has ZERO impact on this audio glitch. I get the 5-6 minute audio degradation with or without the harness. The harness just simply delays the boot of the adapter for 10 seconds, to allow the head unit to come online first. It does this, by delaying power to the dongle. Otherwise, there is no connection and you need to unplug/replug to get the head unit to see the adapter. The harness is a blessing and works like a charm. Thanks @2018 Denali !!!

You see, the issue with GM vehicles is, the USB ports (all four of them, in my truck) get power, the second you open a door. So the adapter essentially starts booting up and looking for a compatible CarPlay head unit, long before the head unit is on line, which occurs after the key is switched to ON. The 2018 Denali-harness uses the cigarette lighter jack as its "trigger" source because that jack doesn't get power until the key is turned to ON. So, it doesn't matter how long it takes for you to actually get in the vehicle and get it started, after you open a door. The harness waits ten seconds after you turn the key, to power the adapter and by that time, the head unit is up and running, so the adapter finds it, immediately.

So, if the engineers over at CPlay2Air / Carlinkit wanted to solve this issue for us, they have two options. One: allow us to define a boot delay, programmatically; essentially instructing the adapter to delay for a set/selected amount of time before completing its boot up and subsequent polling for viable CarPlay units. Or two: add a cron job to the polling, so if the adapter misses the head unit at boot up and there is no successful connection, to try polling again, in say 10 second intervals, until it locates a viable head unit.

Make sense?

 

[josejrp]

I'll give you my two cents, there have been differences noted in this thread with regard to improved performance with the USB-C version although some people have cracked it open and it is debatable whether the hardware is any different. In short, no one knows the exact answer, BUT, if in the market and buying, definitely opt for the USB-C version. Another indicator that it is different is in the way the company has stated that the USB-C version is not USB stick manually up-gradable and many have found that out and a few were successful. The older version you bought is more likely USB stick up-gradable, SO, by my account, there is a difference.

I was not aware the company had said the USB-C adapter wasn't upgradable via USB stick. I successfully upgraded mine to the 6/17 firmware last week via an USB stick, plugging a standard USB-A stick into the USB-B slot in the unit. I have seen reports of some units getting bricked after an update, however, so I would recommend doing you research before you attempt an upgrade. I saw enough 6.17 successful upgrades being reported that I felt comfortable doing it.

 

[1215991]

You see, the issue with GM vehicles is, the USB ports (all four of them, in my truck) get power, the second you open a door. So the adapter essentially starts booting up and looking for a compatible CarPlay head unit, long before the head unit is on line, which occurs after the key is switched to ON. The 2018 Denali-harness uses the cigarette lighter jack as its "trigger" source because that jack doesn't get power until the key is turned to ON. So, it doesn't matter how long it takes for you to actually get in the vehicle and get it started, after you open a door. The harness waits ten seconds after you turn the key, to power the adapter and by that time, the head unit is up and running, so the adapter finds it, immediately.

Actually, that is not the case with all GM vehicles. My 2011 Cruze does not do this, neither does my parents' 2018 Acadia or their 2006 Pontiac Torrent (granted this is an ancient vehicle ).

 

[BUXjr]

Actually, that is not the case with all GM vehicles. My 2011 Cruze does not do this, neither does my parents' 2018 Acadia or their 2006 Pontiac Torrent (granted this is an ancient vehicle ).

You would know better than I. I, admittedly, have only the one GM vehicle -- 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD Crew Cab Denali Ultimate. And mine, for sure, powers all of the USB jacks when any door is opened -- possibly even the tailgate, though I've yet to test that.

If memory serves, I believe GM starting putting Apple CarPlay into their vehicles in 2016. So I'm kinda shocked that your peep's 2018 Acadia doesn't behave this way. But I guess this diversity is what makes developing a firmware that works for EVERYONE so difficult.

 

[1215991]

If memory serves, I believe GM starting putting Apple CarPlay into their vehicles in 2016. So I'm kinda shocked that your peep's 2018 Acadia doesn't behave this way. But I guess this diversity is what makes developing a firmware that works for EVERYONE so difficult.

GM was offering both MyLink v1 (w/o CarPlay) and MyLink v2 (w/ CarPlay) until last year. In the case of the Cruze, v2 was not available until 16, although the 16 Cruze Limited was v1. The 2018 Acadia says v2 was available, but I can only find part numbers through GM for the v1. The Buick Casada ONLY had v1 during it's entire run.

=====

If you would like a real migraine try this (and this is how I ended up getting so involved in GM car audio and bcm programming)
:
The 2011 & 2012 Cruze did not have MyLink as an option and GM said it would require a complete rewiring of the vehicle to offer it as an upgrade option. Yet the v1 MyLink radio from any GM vehicle will work in both those years almost perfectly (need to change control panel configuration) by adding 3 wires and redirecting another. Even more fun is that the 2011 did not have a backup camera option, yet all the wiring for the camera released in 2012 is there - just using a different factory harness plug.

Even more fun is that the Windows CE based v1 Mylink radio used outside of the US & AUS was only used here in the Sonic.

 

[LarryJoe33]

I was not aware the company had said the USB-C adapter wasn't upgradable via USB stick. I successfully upgraded mine to the 6/17 firmware last week via an USB stick, plugging a standard USB-A stick into the USB-B slot in the unit. I have seen reports of some units getting bricked after an update, however, so I would recommend doing you research before you attempt an upgrade. I saw enough 6.17 successful upgrades being reported that I felt comfortable doing it.

That's my point. They have told many that the USB-C version is not upgradable manually and it does seem more sensitive to bricking when trying to do so.

 

[BUXjr]

GM was offering both MyLink v1 (w/o CarPlay) and MyLink v2 (w/ CarPlay) until last year. In the case of the Cruze, v2 was not available until 16, although the 16 Cruze Limited was v1. The 2018 Acadia says v2 was available, but I can only find part numbers through GM for the v1. The Buick Casada ONLY had v1 during it's entire run.

=====

If you would like a real migraine try this (and this is how I ended up getting so involved in GM car audio and bcm programming)
:
The 2011 & 2012 Cruze did not have MyLink as an option and GM said it would require a complete rewiring of the vehicle to offer it as an upgrade option. Yet the v1 MyLink radio from any GM vehicle will work in both those years almost perfectly (need to change control panel configuration) by adding 3 wires and redirecting another. Even more fun is that the 2011 did not have a backup camera option, yet all the wiring for the camera released in 2012 is there - just using a different factory harness plug.

Even more fun is that the Windows CE based v1 Mylink radio used outside of the US & AUS was only used here in the Sonic.

Oy vey. What a mess!
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I think one possible advantage that can be added to the pile of v2 (USB-C) advantages, is the use of 5.8GHZ WiFi. I cannot confirm this, but have seen that listed as one of the "upgrades" that v2 features. That may or may not be a worthwhile upgrade, but it certainly couldn't hurt, if bandwidth is an issue for the "streaming" of CarPlay features to the head unit, from your iPhone. Obviously, the USB2 jacks in the car cannot be overcome, but if the iPhone can speed up its communication with the adapter/dongle, that couldn't/shouldn't hurt any.

At any rate, I currently have a CPlay2Air unit (USB-A, v1 I assume) and have also ordered (from Amazon) a Carlinkit v2 (USB-C) that will be here Sunday or Monday. Very curious to see what firmware is on that puppy, when it arrives. I hope it is pre-June 2020, so I can at least use audio without the glitch, until there is a firmware released for my v1 that resolves the glitch. You can bet I'll be posting back here about my adventures with that!

 

[MrMister111]

I have the intellilink system 4.0 the one with out the installed sat nav which I think is the 900 system it works instantly all volume controls etc the only grip I have is distorted sound after 5 minutes when playing Apple Music every time,so I use Amazon Music

@Julian Corps I’ve sent you a message. Basically asking about your Intellilink and how your dongle works.

Tried a few more FW on mine and still get nothing at all...

 

[bookemdano]

I think one possible advantage that can be added to the pile of v2 (USB-C) advantages, is the use of 5.8GHZ WiFi. I cannot confirm this, but have seen that listed as one of the "upgrades" that v2 features.

I think that was just speculation from a poster here. I have an old 1st generation adapter (bought in November 2019) and a couple months ago I ran a WiFi sniffer in my car with the Carlinkit powered on and connected--it was definitely on the 5GHz band. However, it was 802.11n, not ac. So maybe it would be worth someone with a gen2 adapter checking to see if that version perhaps has an 802.11ac chipset.

Just wanted to set the record straight for anyone who was under the impression that you need a gen2 adapter to get 5GHz.

 

[BUXjr]

I think that was just speculation from a poster here. I have an old 1st generation adapter (bought in November 2019) and a couple months ago I ran a WiFi sniffer in my car with the Carlinkit powered on and connected--it was definitely on the 5GHz band. However, it was 802.11n, not ac. So maybe it would be worth someone with a gen2 adapter checking to see if that version perhaps has an 802.11ac chipset.

Just wanted to set the record straight for anyone who was under the impression that you need a gen2 adapter to get 5GHz.

Ah ha. Great info to have. Thanks, dano. I'll certainly be willing to do just that, when mine arrives. Anyone with a v2 now, that can look into it?

 

[LarryJoe33]

Oy vey. What a mess!
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I think one possible advantage that can be added to the pile of v2 (USB-C) advantages, is the use of 5.8GHZ WiFi. I cannot confirm this, but have seen that listed as one of the "upgrades" that v2 features. That may or may not be a worthwhile upgrade, but it certainly couldn't hurt, if bandwidth is an issue for the "streaming" of CarPlay features to the head unit, from your iPhone. Obviously, the USB2 jacks in the car cannot be overcome, but if the iPhone can speed up its communication with the adapter/dongle, that couldn't/shouldn't hurt any.

At any rate, I currently have a CPlay2Air unit (USB-A, v1 I assume) and have also ordered (from Amazon) a Carlinkit v2 (USB-C) that will be here Sunday or Monday. Very curious to see what firmware is on that puppy, when it arrives. I hope it is pre-June 2020, so I can at least use audio without the glitch, until there is a firmware released for my v1 that resolves the glitch. You can bet I'll be posting back here about my adventures with that!

I had two USB-C’s delivered on the same day. To that point, people receiving them in this thread (early adopters like me) were reporting they came with a variety of FWs. 1.22, 3.18 (which was nowhere formally announced or official) and a few other FWs. It was all over the place. I had been using 1.22 on my old ones and it worked well but I was hoping one of the USB-Cs came with 3.18 so I could test both a bit. Murphy’s law, they both came with 1.22. Still running it solid.

 

[LarryJoe33]

@Julian Corps I’ve sent you a message. Basically asking about your Intellilink and how your dongle works.

Tried a few more FW on mine and still get nothing at all...

As the thread starter I am rooting and SO looking forward to the day when you post that you got it working!!

 

[MrMister111]

As the thread starter I am rooting and SO looking forward to the day when you post that you got it working!!

Thanks!! me to! I decided to jump in also and to my knowledge was one of the first to buy as well, alas never even seen the CarPlay screen using the blinking dongle ever!?!

One day......

 

[LarryJoe33]

Thanks!! me to! I decided to jump in also and to my knowledge was one of the first to buy as well, alas never even seen the CarPlay screen using the blinking dongle ever!?!

One day......

I know! That’s why I feel so bad. You created this mega thread and we haven’t been able to help you with a resolution. I wish I was more familiar with your car. They don’t have those in the US or I would try to do more research for you.

 

[MrMister111]

I know! That’s why I feel so bad. You created this mega thread and we haven’t been able to help you with a resolution. I wish I was more familiar with your car. They don’t have those in the US or I would try to do more research for you.

Thanks! I believe the US version of mine is called the Buick Encore, but uses a different version of my car system, Intellilink Nav 900. Not sure if any USA cars use my system tbh.

Although the user I tagged said his worked with my system, but he’s only had 2 posts and disappeared.

I’m tempted to go to my manufacturer and get any official card system updates to see if that helps, but it would £100’s and still no guarantee.

With the pain I’ve had, I’d love Apple, or an Apple certified company, to make an official wireless dongle, and I’d pay the premium price to know it would work, and keep working on iOS updates.

 

[LarryJoe33]

Thanks! I believe the US version of mine is called the Buick Encore, but uses a different version of my car system, Intellilink Nav 900. Not sure if any USA cars use my system tbh.

Although the user I tagged said his worked with my system, but he’s only had 2 posts and disappeared.

I’m tempted to go to my manufacturer and get any official card system updates to see if that helps, but it would £100’s and still no guarantee.

With the pain I’ve had, I’d love Apple, or an Apple certified company, to make an official wireless dongle, and I’d pay the premium price to know it would work, and keep working on iOS updates.

Ditto. As much success as I’ve had, I would cut my losses in heartbeat for an Apple developed or certified solution. Although mine works for me and avoids me plugging in, it’s still kind of a hoaky Chinese hack.

Best thing to hope for is for apple to release a phone and eliminate the lightening port. This would have to be soon for them not to say, sorry all you wired CarPlay guys, you are out of luck.

 

[1215991]

Thanks! I believe the US version of mine is called the Buick Encore, but uses a different version of my car system, Intellilink Nav 900. Not sure if any USA cars use my system tbh.

To the best of my knowledge, your version of the Intellilink software is not the same as the US version. However, there is an idea for you to try: I hate to see you spend more money on what could be a wild goose chase, but you might test out the WinCE version of the Wireless CarPlay activator. Your software could be based on that OS still. (No idea why I didn't think of that earlier!)

 

[MrMister111]

To the best of my knowledge, your version of the Intellilink software is not the same as the US version. However, there is an idea for you to try: I hate to see you spend more money on what could be a wild goose chase, but you might test out the WinCE version of the Wireless CarPlay activator. Your software could be based on that OS still. (No idea why I didn't think of that earlier!)

Really, didn’t know it was based on WinCE, will have to investigate thanks, any info you’ve seen specifically?

I’ve had the CarPlay icon flash to a few times on my screen, but it disappears instantly. Not sure if this is good or bad - as in is “nearly” compatible.

Had no luck from CarLinkIt like most, apart from the... wait for firmware.

 

[1215991]

Oy vey. What a mess!

Now you see why I said fixing it on their end isn't as simple as it would seem. And the even worse part is that I personally encountered 4 different hardware revisions to the v1 MyLink system that still looked identical aside from switching from 2 to 1 Bluetooth antenna and then moving the location of the antenna. Imagine how many potential revisions there are to the v2 type which is no longer a single unit but multiple units all linked together. Especially since newer years don't always have newer revisions installed.

I'm not trying to kill your hopes btw. I actually prefer to think the trouble is a lot simpler - Their home country version of the MyLink v2 is different from the US version and doesn't have the bug.

Really, didn’t know it was based on WinCE, will have to investigate thanks, any info you’ve seen specifically?

I’ve had the CarPlay icon flash to a few times on my screen, but it disappears instantly. Not sure if this is good or bad - as in is “nearly” compatible.

Had no luck from CarLinkIt like most, apart from the... wait for firmware.

I don't know for sure it is. It's just a theory, based on prior GM/Vauxhall behavior on US/AUS vs rest of the world. The fact that you can get the icon to flash even for a moment is a good sign, but on the other hand it *could* be a sign of radio OS incompatibility.

 

[Mike DeQuardo]

One thing I have been meaning to mention regarding the GM vehicles, is to be certain your HMI-based units are up to date on their firmware. GM designed them for OTA updates, but they are known not to push them out consistently. You may have to sweet talk a dealership to check and update them if necessary. I can tell you, as having spent the better part of 2 years working on GM radio programming and update changes in regards to the Gen 1 Mylink units and the BCMs, that will play a big part in how effective add-on hardware will be. I will also mention that similar setups may not be using the same part number components, which could cause trouble with different hardware revisions.

I have attached the new firmware update.

What are the odds an update does exist that GM isn’t pushing OTA? Thanks.