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Pioneer MVH-1400NEX with iDatalink

13K views 31 replies 9 participants last post by  Sevenjays 
#1 ·
I just installed the Pioneer MVH-1400NEX in my Commander. The factory Nav radio was dead. I wanted Apple Carplay as well as Android Auto which this unit supports both. I haven't tried the Android Auto but the Apple Carplay works great. I also wanted to add a backup camera which I installed in the lift gate to the left of the license plate. Programming the iDatalink was relatively easy following the instructions from Maestro's website. It was time consuming connecting the Pioneer harness to the HRN-RR-CH2 harness (you have to splice them together) but it was simple again following the instruction from Maestro. Also routing the backup camera harness through the lift gate and along the overhead to the dash took some time and patience. I was able to feed the cable through the lift gate wire boot so everything should stay dry. The only hole I had to drill was in the chrome piece on the lift gate that houses the latch and license plate lights. The camera was mounted to the underside of it.
I didn't use the OBDII connection as I have a Trail Dash 2 but all you have to do is connect to the OBDII with the supplied connector and you can see all the gauges and tire pressures on the radio display. I did keep my factory amp and speakers and have full balance and fade control. It sounds fantastic! The rear DVD does not play to the radio screen nor does the sound come through the speakers which would have been nice, but I'll pick up some IR headphones which will probably work better in the long run.

I ordered everything from Amazon. The total install was under $500.00. Components I used:

Pioneer MVH-1400NEX
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07951J34N/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_DGpqDbZ29DA2W
Maestro HRN-RR-CH2 Plug and Play T-Harness for CH2 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Vehicles;
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FYCWAR4/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_zNpqDbT6FGZ3R
Maestro ADS-MRR Universal Radio Replacement and Steering Wheel Interface
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E4W1644/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_VJpqDb7STCTRD
Metra 99-6510 Chry/Dodge/Jeep with NAV 04-UP Dash Kit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000K52D0K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_cOpqDbXYVQNKV
Metra 40-CR10 Chrysler 2001-Up Car Antenna Adapter
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002BEQNE/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_ZQpqDbRPPPVWF
NATIKA Backup Rear View Camera Chrome,IP69K Waterproof Great Night Vision HD and Super Wide Angle Metal OEM Style Chrome Reverse Rear View Backup Camera for Cars Pickup Trucks SUVs RVs Vans (Chrome)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HNFWSQN/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_IRpqDbZ5YB2CA

I'll post pictures soon. Hopefully this help someone trying to decide on a radio upgrade. I couldn't be happier with the look and function of all the components.
 
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#4 ·
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#6 ·
One thing I still need to change is the rear USB cable is how to connect your phone for Apple car play and I just have the extension sticking out by the ignition switch. I'm going to buy one of the USB extensions that mounts in the dash.


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#7 ·
I recently did a very similar install with the Maestro gear and a Kenwood deck and added a rear cam. My deck had 2 usb connections and I ran the one for my iPhone out by the gauges where I've got an iOttie mount suctioned just in front of the temp gauge, the cable runs along the mount and is just long enough to connect to the phone. It's really clean and puts the cable right where I need it and the phone in a good spot. The other cable I ran into the glove box so I can leave a thumb drive loaded with movies plugged into it.
I like your camera solution better than mine. I did one of the license plate mount ones but it's not as clean, I think I ran the same signal path though based on your description, it's only the wire from inside the chrome to the camera that bums me out on mine.
 
#8 ·
I didn't use the OBDII connection as I have a Trail Dash 2 but all you have to do is connect to the OBDII with the supplied connector and you can see all the gauges and tire pressures on the radio display.

Tell me more about this.....is this a feature with that head unit and the harness you linked? or one or the other?


Man this stuff has gotten cheap over the years! $500 for all of that....When I bought my 6.5" screen back in 2012 it was like $1200 just for the head unit...on employee direct manufacturer accommodation (i worked at a car stereo place)!!
 
#9 ·
The OBDII features are apart of the Pioneer unit but you need the Meastro harness to connect to the OBDII port. Then the iDatalink gets programmed to enable the data. I think a lot of the head units that work with iDatalink will have this option. So, you need all three.
I was amazed how much you can get for the money as well.


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#11 ·
It looks like a good set up.

Ive just spent all weekend trying to sort out the problems with my newly installed Pioneer AVIC-F980DAB. I had it installed by a firm who were supposed to know what they were doing. Big mistake on my part.

after waiting a week for their suppliers 'Pioneer' specialist to come back from vacation, the battle commenced.

The unit was installed last friday, the 'expert' informed the installer that very few Jeeps have the boston audio kit installed :( and that a simple adapter woul solve the wiring issue. :(

result no sound (surprise surprise) then for some very bizzare unexplanable reason the audio started to work and worked for over an hour - until i switched the engine off. At that point all the video stuff was working great AND the radio was showing the station idents on DAB and which track was being broadcast.

Next morning all video working and DAB, sat nav etc was good - but no audio.

took back to installer, had 'chat' about the boston audio amp, installer had been told by installation kit supliers 'expert' that mine didnt have one so unit must be faulty.

contacted supplier (in germany) who was adamant it was a software update issue :( updated software to latest version (07 to 08) made no diference at all.

I decided to actually look for the audio amp - found it on the left hand side of the area inside the rear door - so i do have an amp!

took Jeep back to installer today and showed him the amp his face was a picture -especialy when i told him he would be paying for a replacement if it had been blown by the pioneer sending it an already amplified signal for the short time period it had worked.

If anyone has any suggestions though on how to fix the mess, i.e. get the pioneer working, it will be greatfully recieved.
 
#12 ·
It looks like a good set up.



Ive just spent all weekend trying to sort out the problems with my newly installed Pioneer AVIC-F980DAB. I had it installed by a firm who were supposed to know what they were doing. Big mistake on my part.



after waiting a week for their suppliers 'Pioneer' specialist to come back from vacation, the battle commenced.



The unit was installed last friday, the 'expert' informed the installer that very few Jeeps have the boston audio kit installed :( and that a simple adapter woul solve the wiring issue. :(



result no sound (surprise surprise) then for some very bizzare unexplanable reason the audio started to work and worked for over an hour - until i switched the engine off. At that point all the video stuff was working great AND the radio was showing the station idents on DAB and which track was being broadcast.



Next morning all video working and DAB, sat nav etc was good - but no audio.



took back to installer, had 'chat' about the boston audio amp, installer had been told by installation kit supliers 'expert' that mine didnt have one so unit must be faulty.



contacted supplier (in germany) who was adamant it was a software update issue :( updated software to latest version (07 to 08) made no diference at all.



I decided to actually look for the audio amp - found it on the left hand side of the area inside the rear door - so i do have an amp!



took Jeep back to installer today and showed him the amp his face was a picture -especialy when i told him he would be paying for a replacement if it had been blown by the pioneer sending it an already amplified signal for the short time period it had worked.



If anyone has any suggestions though on how to fix the mess, i.e. get the pioneer working, it will be greatfully recieved.


Do you know what all they installed? What adapter and wiring harness?


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#13 ·
Hi Sevenjays
car back with them today, if its not working tomorrow I'll find out what kit they have installed. they gave me back an old (what looked like) sony-ericson hands free kit which had been hardwired in and lodged behind the glovebox (it was obsolete though when i got the car) and the Parrot hands free kit which was in the car when i aquired it. with both of those kits in the audio on the OEM radio/satnav/cd player was fine - the only issue was the screen more often than not (but not always) refusing to work.
 
#14 ·
I've got an 06 with the Boston system....didn't need a the fancy expensive harness or an amp bypass harness. Just the basic matching male plug to bare tales. You just gotta hook all the right wires up between the head-unit harness and the vehicle adapter harness. In the case of our system- that doesn't mean matching all the colors between the two like a traditional set up.

I'd have to crack my dash back open to confirm what exactly I did, but I KNOW you have to wire the Front Speaker wires from the head-unit to the Rear Speaker wires on the vehicle harness. The Factory Amp only accepts input signal from the Rear Speaker lines. The other is that you have to send a 12v power on signal to the amp- either through the Blue/White amp power wire or the Power Antenna wire (i think it's brown?). I know our jeeps don't have a Power Antenna, but that's just the default stereo wiring name/color combo.

Of course, an amp bypass harness and/or the active fancy harnesses should remedy all of this as well, and allow front/rear fade....but just sayin that there is another way! :wink3:
 
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#15 ·
That explains why in the harness I bought there was a pair of connectors, 1 black and 1 white that had to be switched depending on if you were bypassing the factory amp or not.
I really wanted to keep the steering wheel controls was probably my main reason for going the route I did. I can program them for several different things but not all the choices actually worked. Programming involves removing the iDatalink from the harness and connecting it to a computer so somewhat of a pain for experimenting.


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#18 ·
That explains why in the harness I bought there was a pair of connectors, 1 black and 1 white that had to be switched depending on if you were bypassing the factory amp or not.
I really wanted to keep the steering wheel controls was probably my main reason for going the route I did. I can program them for several different things but not all the choices actually worked. Programming involves removing the iDatalink from the harness and connecting it to a computer so somewhat of a pain for experimenting.

oh ya, forgot about that part. I used a PAC SWI-RT to keep my controls. It comes with vehicle specific hookup instructions (usually only 3-4 wires: power, ground, signal in/out) and you can program your wheel buttons to do whatever you want (within the capabilities of the head-unit). Reprogram at any time, right in the vehicle. However, it usually lives behind the head-unit, in the dash, so you usually do all of this during install as it's hard to get to later.

Again, this was all before iDataLink had this current stuff for options!
 
#16 ·
Hi.
It now looks like the installer has used the wrong adapter, according to a local specialist there are two types on the commander - one with rounded corners, one with angular corners. Neither one of which would've given me the steering wheel controls though, so in short he didn't seem to know what he was doing.

going to an audio specialist tomorrow, they have pointed me in the direction of https://connects2.com/Product/ProductItem/CTSJP001 (im not advertising anything - just highlighting that there are adapters out there)
 
#17 ·
Hi.
It now looks like the installer has used the wrong adapter, according to a local specialist there are two types on the commander - one with rounded corners, one with angular corners. Neither one of which would've given me the steering wheel controls though, so in short he didn't seem to know what he was doing.

going to an audio specialist tomorrow, they have pointed me in the direction of https://connects2.com/Product/ProductItem/CTSJP001 (im not advertising anything - just highlighting that there are adapters out there)
Let us know how you make out @CP07;

I can give you a little info, but, I don't know how relevant it would be to your situation since you have an 06 Limited (different factory head unit than my old 2008 REC MyGIG head unit I believe) and you have steering wheel controls, which I don't have;

At any rate; when I had my Pioneer AVH-X490BS CD/DVD RDS AV head unit with Sirius XM Receiver installed, the audio place I went to used a simple wiring harness adapter to hook up the Pioneer head unit to the factory wiring harness (don't know which adapter they used off hand, I'd have to go look for my receipt and see if it's listed).

The only thing that does not function on my Pioneer head unit is the front to rear fade; everything else, including the factory back-up camera display & my upgraded kicker amp works fine.
 
#28 ·
I just installed the Pioneer MVH-1400NEX in my Commander. The factory Nav radio was dead. I wanted Apple Carplay as well as Android Auto which this unit supports both. I haven't tried the Android Auto but the Apple Carplay works great. I also wanted to add a backup camera which I installed in the lift gate to the left of the license plate. Programming the iDatalink was relatively easy following the instructions from Maestro's website. It was time consuming connecting the Pioneer harness to the HRN-RR-CH2 harness (you have to splice them together) but it was simple again following the instruction from Maestro. Also routing the backup camera harness through the lift gate and along the overhead to the dash took some time and patience. I was able to feed the cable through the lift gate wire boot so everything should stay dry. The only hole I had to drill was in the chrome piece on the lift gate that houses the latch and license plate lights. The camera was mounted to the underside of it.
I didn't use the OBDII connection as I have a Trail Dash 2 but all you have to do is connect to the OBDII with the supplied connector and you can see all the gauges and tire pressures on the radio display. I did keep my factory amp and speakers and have full balance and fade control. It sounds fantastic! The rear DVD does not play to the radio screen nor does the sound come through the speakers which would have been nice, but I'll pick up some IR headphones which will probably work better in the long run.

I ordered everything from Amazon. The total install was under $500.00. Components I used:

Pioneer MVH-1400NEX
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07951J34N/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_DGpqDbZ29DA2W
Maestro HRN-RR-CH2 Plug and Play T-Harness for CH2 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Vehicles;
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FYCWAR4/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_zNpqDbT6FGZ3R
Maestro ADS-MRR Universal Radio Replacement and Steering Wheel Interface
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E4W1644/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_VJpqDb7STCTRD
Metra 99-6510 Chry/Dodge/Jeep with NAV 04-UP Dash Kit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000K52D0K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_cOpqDbXYVQNKV
Metra 40-CR10 Chrysler 2001-Up Car Antenna Adapter
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002BEQNE/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_ZQpqDbRPPPVWF
NATIKA Backup Rear View Camera Chrome,IP69K Waterproof Great Night Vision HD and Super Wide Angle Metal OEM Style Chrome Reverse Rear View Backup Camera for Cars Pickup Trucks SUVs RVs Vans (Chrome)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HNFWSQN/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_IRpqDbZ5YB2CA

I'll post pictures soon. Hopefully this help someone trying to decide on a radio upgrade. I couldn't be happier with the look and function of all the components.
I purchased the same set up and can't for the life of me get the back up camera to work. I'm curious as to how you set up the wiring? Also, the harness I have doesn't seem to like the red ACC wire. I am wiring red to yellow just to get power to the head unit. Which means I will have to manually power it off every time I get out of the car.... I know I'm going to regret that. Any thoughts?
 
#29 ·
Could be an issue with the iDatalink unit's firmware. I'm not personally familiar with this set up, but I am familiar with iDatalink and Maestro units. You usually have to flash the appropriate firmware into the brain. Not always, sometimes they come ready to go, but sometimes you need to flash a different version. Like it shipped with a default Chrysler version that works on most of the cars, like CH2.1 but needs an altered CH2.2 for the Jeeps. I'm making these version numbers up, but I think you get what I'm trying to say. Check the iDatalink website- it'll send you to a PDF of detailed instructions. THOROUGHLY read the instructions for your exact year model and the part numbers for the harness(es) and the head unit you have. Sometimes your answer is in one line of text easily read over.
 
#30 ·
I have to pull my radio out to finish installing the day mount USB port, but I'm not sure when I'll get to that. I really can't remember having any issues with the power wires. I believe I connected the camera to the red radio power wire.
I'll try to look at it this weekend while digesting turkey and pumpkin pie.


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#31 ·
I'm getting ready to install a Pioneer MVH-1400 into a 2006 Limited as well. Using the Maestro RR and the meastro harness, will I still get all the chimes, beeps, backup beeps, etc? I'm not sure if that has anything to do with now-dead OEM nav head unit I have (the radio still works and I get all the various chimes but everything else seems dead on it) or if that's a seperate system.
 
#32 ·
I'm getting ready to install a Pioneer MVH-1400 into a 2006 Limited as well. Using the Maestro RR and the meastro harness, will I still get all the chimes, beeps, backup beeps, etc? I'm not sure if that has anything to do with now-dead OEM nav head unit I have (the radio still works and I get all the various chimes but everything else seems dead on it) or if that's a seperate system.
It all works on mine.


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