2012 Non Navigation with Bose Bluetooth Streaming + Analog input GROM box
 

ATTENTION THOSE LOOKING FOR A (PROPER) AUX INPUT FOR YOUR 2012 INFINITI G37 WITHOUT NAV!!!

I finally found the solution to the problem. GROM Audio makes an interface box that actually works with this generation of G car. They did not have support for this gen listed on their website as of the time of this post, but I have installed it and it works! It is exactly what we all needed… a standard AUX input that takes the place of the Satellite radio receiver and gives you a Bluetooth streaming input and an analog standard input (if you choose to use it.) Bluetooth streaming audio quality is very good. Analog is also. No perceptible noise even at high volume. No alternator “whine.” You even get steering wheel up/down control for skipping forward in Pandora and so on. I LOVE IT!!!

FULL DISCLAIMER: I have documented my install process here and I must emphasize that it is MY install process which is being provided here solely for example purposes. I am NOT responsible in ANY way if you choose to use any of my example process on your own car and: void the warranty, start a car fire, injure yourself and/or others, and/or break your car or yourself in ANY way. It is also important to note that this GROM box basically takes the place of your factory SAT receiver. So if you subscribe to XM radio and you use the SAT receiver in your car, this box will not work for you.

That being said…

I have a modern Samsung Android phone and I mainly wanted the Bluetooth A2DP streaming ability that SHOULD have been included with this car, but is apparently only available with the NAV edition… (but I am not bitter about that…) I figured while I had it all apart and since GROM box gives you the option to have TWO analog inputs on the box, I figured I would install one with their flush mount 3.5mm audio jack, but I will get to that if I can. This is what it looks like when you get the box:

Attachment 149436
Attachment 149437

Here is the link to their site where I bought it from:

http://www.gromaudio.com/store/bt3_adapters/nissan_infiniti_aux-in_mp3_bluetooth_ipod_iphone_adapter_-_sat_emulation.html


I also bought the flush mount (not pictured above) here:


http://www.gromaudio.com/store/accessories/cable-c-fm35.html


I started by removing the lower finisher plate with a non-marring interior tool and a small hook tool. If you start on one side and are firm but careful, this piece pops out:

Attachment 149438


Next you remove the two screws at the bottom of the control panel, the pull from the bottom and the top un-hooks easily:


Attachment 149439


Now just carefully disconnect the four cables from the top of the control panel. Be careful to squeeze the release clips in the right place so you do not break the connectors. This goes for all connectors from this point forward.

Attachment 149440


Next, just like the control panel, remove the bottom two screws that hold the vent/control panel in at the bottom, unhook the top, and remove:

Attachment 149441


Now, remove the bottom two screws that hold in the display panel assembly:


Attachment 149442


Unhook the top, disconnect the connector and remove:


Attachment 149443


Now we come to probably the trickiest part of the whole process. There are two steel screws that hold in the bottom of the A/V control unit. Getting them out was probably harder than it needed to be because I chose to NOT remove the entire center console cover where the shift knob cover is and that entire metal finished panel. If you take that out,this would probably be much easier. You can get a screwdriver in there and loosen them 98% of the way and then use a “grabber” tool like this one to back out the last few threads so that you can get the screws out without dropping them down into the center of the console, never to be seen again:

Attachment 149444


However, once you get those bottom two screws out, you can pull the unit forward and get to the back for hook up. I highly recommend you put a rag down on top of the console to protect it from the sharp metal tabs on the mounting frame:


Attachment 149445


…notice that I had to put the car in gear to get the gear shifter out of the way. Again, if I removed the shift knob and the center panel, this might have been easier.

I do not have pictures of the rear of the A/V receiver and the hook up process. The hook up procedure is just like GROM includes in the box… You find the “SAT” connector that fits the “NIS02” cable that comes with the box, remove the factory harness connector, plug in the GROM version, find the power wire they refer to in the procedure and tap into it. That is basically it for the wiring. One thing to mention is that the GROM procedure says do NOT reconnect the SAT harness. This was a little confusing at first because you do have a female connector on the “NIS02” harness. It looks like you are supposed to plug it back in, but the procedure said not to so I just let the two empty connectors dangle and it all worked. Naturally, as mentioned above, this GROM box basically takes the place of your factory SAT receiver. So if you have XM radio, this box will not work for you.

Once you hook it all up you should put the display and the control panels in loosely and test everything. I was so happy when I saw the word “GROM”appear on the screen. I am still geeking out over here!

:JAMIN:


Attachment 149446

Reassembly is essentially the reversal of disassembly. However, you will of course have to find a place to “stow” the GROM box. Interestingly enough, there is the cavity right behind the display panel which to me screamed “put your GROM box here” so I slapped a strip of weather stripping self-stick foam on the edge of it to prevent rattles and buzzes and stuffed it in:

Attachment 149447

Flush mount AUX input for GROM box
 

This is a continuation of my main thread...

For those who are interested in the extra analog input, I chose the original factory location (the panel in the center console compartment) to install the flush mount jack:

Attachment 149429


To get this panel out, you have to wedge something under the panel and pull up on it pretty hard until it pops out. There are no screws holding it, just “pawl” clips as they call them.

The first thing that struck me (and aggravated me) was the lame “plug” that they put in the panel to cover the holes where the factory analog inputs USED TO BE!

Attachment 149430



So I just removed the plug, made the center hole bigger, cut a big section out of the plug component and reinstalled it like this:


Attachment 149431


…note I installed a nylon cable tie on there in an attempt to reinforce the mount. It is pretty snug if you do not make the hole too big, but I figured I would just put it there for safe measure. Now I have this neat looking install:

Attachment 149432


I snaked the cable through the center console from the GROM box DIN connection and connected it to the flush mount cable. I taped it with electrical tape just to make sure it does not vibrate free over time:

Attachment 149433


I tied up the excess cable, wrapped the whole thing in a little bubble wrap to help prevent rattles and buzzes, stuffed it back in the center console cavity, then snapped the panel back in place:

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<o:p</o

I tested it with a standard (gold plated) patch cable and it worked perfectly.

FINISHED! :)

Side note: If you get to the end of the install and you turn on the car then the Airbag warning light starts blinking slowly and you cannot get it to go out (happened to me,) don’t panic… at least not initially. ;-)


Try this airbag system reset process I found online somewhere. It worked for me!

To reset the light simply turn the ignition to the on position, (you don’t need to start the engine.) All the lights should stay on for their diagnostic check. As soon as the airbag light goes off, before it starts flashing, immediately turn the car off. Repeat this 3 or 4 times (turning to on then off) and the light should go away.

If that does not work, search around the forums… you should find some help.

Hope this helps!

Wow!
 

FANTASTIC!!!
DOMO

I've been looking for this ever since we got our 2012! I emailed GROM about whether it would be compatible and they said it would be.

Also, how's the volume with BT & aux in comparison to FM? I wired in the mod in this thread and, even with a headphone amplifier, the volume is too low to really enjoy what the stereo can do (subwoofer, etc.).

Also, it seems obvious that there's no way to keep XM. Can you confirm?

AH... great question and I had a feeling someone would ask about the volume.

In my opinion, it is comparable. I would say it is a tiny bit lower, but it is very close.

Regarding the XM compatibility... I do not have XM. I do not plan on getting it. I would recommend you talk to GROM. I suppose you could try connecting the XM receiver to the harness along with the GROM box, but I am not responsible for what happens. ;)

Good luck!

here's a question. if you have sat radio, and you plug in piggy back to this, wouldn't the sat radio work as well. i'm looking for something that will serve as a "factory" bluetooth audio stream for 08-09 models.

edit: ooops. question answered.

Check the reply above...


My opinion is that there is a 50% chance it will work... 50% chance it "interferes" as is stated in the GROM documentation.


I couldn't tell you for certain one way or another.


If you try it and it works, it would be great if you could post back your results. I have a feeling many folks may ask about this. Thanks!

I looked at the installation guide on their website and it specifically says that it won't work to plug in the XM receiver along with the Grom unit.

In addition to the mod in the other thread (see above), I wired in a relay with a switch on the dashboard to switch between the new aux input and XM. I'm wondering if you can do a similar solution to switch between the XM receiver and the Grom unit... and how the factory stereo would handle it. I'm guessing there's some sort of handshake between the two devices to get the communication set up when the power is turned on. Somehow I'm a little skeptical that the factory stereo would be able to adjust to the devices being swapped midstream.

The other thought I had was simply an A/B switch or a relay to turn the power on for the XM receiver and simultaneously turning off the power to the Grom unit. Same potential problem with the factory stereo, however.

I think you got it... there is probably a handshake. I would be skeptical also.

Great ideas though... I like where your head is at. :biggthumpup:

This is fantastic!
No need to install the mic, correct?
This doesn't impact the car's existing mic or voice dialing functionality, right?
Only negative is the loss of XM?
Love it!

PS> I see it says "GROM" in on of your pictures. Doesn't it tell you the song/artist? They also have another product, "USB2P". Did you inquire with them if that would work, offer more useful features?

I did not install the mic. This is a good point you make however. I should probably have mentioned that I was just so happy to get the music streaming working that I did not even think about using the GROM box for hands free phone audio. AND I do not use the hands free in the car with this phone, which is a Samsung Galaxy S4 by the way.

I did however set the Bluetooth profile "GROM-CAR" on my phone to "Use for media audio" and unchecked "Use for phone audio" just to be "safe??"

EDIT: Added this phone screen shot:

Attachment 149418

What I can do is try pairing this phone with the car's hands free system also and see if I pick up on any negatives. Now that you mention it, I am curious to see if I can pair more than one device on this phone and use one for Phone audio and one for media audio. :confused2:

Great question... I will post a follow up.

Regarding the display... it does say "GROM" initially, then when you start streaming audio with the phone, I noticed the text changes to "BT STREAM" which is fine by me. Personally I am not losing any sleep over no display data for song/artist. I use multiple apps on the phone, Pandora, Google Play Music, html5 streaming sites, TuneIn radio... so taking that into consideration, I figured getting data about the stream to display on the car screen was probably asking too much. Maybe my expectations are a little low.

I did not inquire about the USB2P product, or any other product for that matter. I just took a chance on the "BT3" and got what I was looking for (media audio.)

UPDATE: I tested the ability to have my Galaxy S4 connect to the car's hands free system and the new GROM box at the same time and it worked!

:JAMIN:

So at this point I am able to use the car for Phone audio and the GROM box for media audio. They are both paired at the same time and they seem to switch back and forth properly. Ex: When I make a call, the A/V unit stops the BT Stream and goes into phone mode. When the call is complete, it goes back to the AUX BT Stream... which is really nice. I have to admit, I had my doubts it was going to work. Here's a screenshot from the phone:

Attachment 149417

Fantastic. BTW, appreciate the initial posting, but also the lightning fast follow up is killer, thanks. :biggthumpup:

I called GROM Audio and talked to one of their people for a bit. USB2P has all the features of the BT3 once you do the BT Dongle option. So if you're interested in the Android functionality via AALinQ app, or the ability to connect a big drive of MP3s via USB, then that is the way to go.

I am going to order the USB2P and give this a try over the holidays.

oh, here is a handy product comparison chart...
Compare products

JoeG37: Thanks for the props... happy to support the community since Infiniti blatantly dropped the ball on this one. Comparison chart is nice also.

Good luck with the USB2P. To be honest, I looked at it before buying the BT3 and I did not have the requirement for the extra AALinQ capability.

If you do not mind, please post the results of your install and experience with that box... I for one would love to hear it. I have become a big GROM Audio fan as of late.

THANKS