2004 VW Jetta GLI CarPC and more

Its been awhile but the project is alive and well.

I have been working on my cars interior. Trying to get some replacement parts that never materialized. So, they are being covered in suede as we speak.

On the computer front.

I tested several different audio configurations while I got up the courage to dissect my Mac Mini.

I purchased a 12v (13.8v) power supply from radio shack. The ATX power supply was too squirly.

I connected the P2140 and bench tested the unit checking all the possible configurations with PSUmoni. I was running PSUmoni on a winxp desktop as it will not run in windows 7 on the Mac Mini.

I subsequently installed Win XP pro on the Mac Mini.

I disassembled the Mac Mini and removed the internal power supply.

I replaced it with an internal cable and a Case mounted DC plug. I have successfully powered the Mac Mini with both the P2140 and the Mac Mini's original power supply using a patch cable.

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I have two additional mods to make to the Mac Mini and I will be ready to install it in my GLI.

ACPI "Y" connection.

Patch cable for the external wifi antenna.

Progress has been slow but deliberate.

Mac Mini is ready to install in the car.

3 mods complete.

Removed the internal power supply and replaced it with a new cable with a DC power plug.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/30/gu9ysa9e.jpg

Added a Splitter to the on/off switch to allow the DC power supply or a dash mounted switch.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/30/uteja2av.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/30/ze6yhybu.jpg

Installed a WiFi antenna cable for an external WiFi antenna.

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Here are some pics after assembly.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/30/pe4uheze.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/30/hare7use.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/30/gyha3yry.jpg

Everything works and the WiFi reception has improved.

Mac Mini is ready to install in the car.

3 mods complete.

Removed the internal power supply and replaced it with a new cable with a DC power plug.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/30/gu9ysa9e.jpg

Added a Splitter to the on/off switch to allow the DC power supply or a dash mounted switch.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/30/uteja2av.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/30/ze6yhybu.jpg

Installed a WiFi antenna cable for an external WiFi antenna.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/30/azy5yruz.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/30/vujyhe9u.jpg

Here are some pics after assembly.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/30/pe4uheze.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/30/hare7use.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/30/gyha3yry.jpg

Everything works and the WiFi reception has improved.

Finally got the "B" and "C" pillars covered in black suede.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/30/remutevu.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/30/uny2udyh.jpg

I can get the interior back together now.

I still need to cover the door inserts.

I started spewing foam foam the A/C vents. So, I will explore pulling the dash to replace the air mixing box. Not looking forward to this at all. The dealer wants $1600. Anybody pull your dash lately?

I am moving toward the Mac Mini install.

I have a Mac Mini mount installed on the cars amplifier case.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/11/01/8yzyba4a.jpg

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This will make more sense once it is reinstalled into the car.

I also wired the amplifier harness.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/11/01/6a3avysy.jpg

I will be installing the Carnetix P2140 power supply next.

Cool. Great progress!

I used to have a mk4 and I thought there was a way to get to the AC vents that spew foam without taking the whole dash out

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Originally Posted by firstorbit84

Cool. Great progress!

I used to have a mk4 and I thought there was a way to get to the AC vents that spew foam without taking the whole dash out

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Unfortunately, the dash has to be pulled because the foam comes from the air mixer box. The entire unit has to be replaced.

Great progress and nice attention to detail!

If the box is hard plastic like most vehicles and then why would it be necessary to replace the whole box? Is it not just the foam tape that seals it that is disintegrating, can you not just replace the tape? Or is the box sealed in one piece and you can't get to it?

What are you going to do for a key accessory wire to turn on the system?, are you going to manually turn it on or pick off the key sense wire in the column?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PhilG

Great progress and nice attention to detail!

If the box is hard plastic like most vehicles and then why would it be necessary to replace the whole box? Is it not just the foam tape that seals it that is disintegrating, can you not just replace the tape? Or is the box sealed in one piece and you can't get to it?

What are you going to do for a key accessory wire to turn on the system?, are you going to manually turn it on or pick off the key sense wire in the column?

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You might have a point on the airbox. Yes the foam deteriorates but the box is good. It depends on getting the foam off and resealing the box. I think the new box is around $165. It is worth it if it saves time. But I don't want to have this problem again.

I was hoping to pull the ignition source from the 12v outlet in the trunk but after testing it I found that it is not switched from the ignition.

I bought a wire harness adapter for putting a mon-factory radio into the VW Jetta. It provides a CanBus interface and provides an ignition switched wire that is not available on the stock harness.

I plan to use that switched wire for the USB hub located in the dash. So, I will likely use this as the source for the ignition line on the P2140.

I ran extra wire from the dash to the trunk just in case.

The Canbus adapter is the easiest way to do it but at a cost, they aren't cheap. Other low cost way is to open up the steering column shroud and tap into the "key sense" wire, add a rely to it and your golden. It sounds like time is more important to you than the extra $$ so you've solved your problem. I just wanted to mention that it is possible to do without the adapter. Don't forget to relay that output off the canbus adapter, it's only designed to trigger a head unit on/off.

If you get to adding aftermarket amp(s), my suggestion is hang then off the underside of the package tray, I hung two Alpine amps there on my brothers Jetta a year & 1/2 ago and he has had no issues with it.

Love your car BTW, interior improvements look great!