Repairs - Mazda 5 Aux input

 

This time I spent some resources to fix the AUX input on my Mazda 5 2012.

The problem

The Mazda 5 2012 by default has an entertainment system (radio/CD) plus the possibility to connect external sources via an AUXiliary audio port, via a 3.5 mm stereo jack.

To use it is enough to plug in a 3.5 mm jack  to the AUX port, push the AUX button on the console and whatever is connected is redirected to the car audio system.

Suddenly that stopped to work, i.e. pushing the AUX button on the console didn't redirected the AUX input to the internal speakers.
Even worse, the AUX selection was actively disabled.

Some research

So of course I did do some research and discovered that :

• is a common problem to the Mazda audio system
• is solved by changing the AUX outlet (~60$)
•  I was lucky my system did work perfectly for almost 10 years !

But what is exactly the problem ?

Well, the AUX outlet (internal marking 401lag-008-01e ) uses a 3.5 mm female socket with on switch, used to inform the audio dashboard that a 3.5 mm jack is inserted in the plug.

If no cables are inserted, the AUX selection is disabled.

Now, the problem is that with time and use, the 3.5 mm jack internal switch broke down, thus stopping to inform the console that a cable is plugged in.

So the problem is real trivial.

Analysis

Following some examples found on the net I identified some solutions :

1. well, the easiest would be to buy a new AUX outlet.
   Found prices from 40$ to 60$ for the outlet itself.
   Assuming to ask somebody to change it, the total cost could be easily reach 200$ !!!
   So .. NO !
2. Remove the broken outlet, open it  and :
1. change the 3.5 mm broken jack with a new one.
   Feasible and relatively cheap, however the component is not an easy to find model, one can spend hours on Mouser or Digkey looking for something similar, order one and then desolder and resolder the new one.
2. hack somehow the enabling signal

Note that the "function" to disable the AUX selection if no cables are connected is quite useless.

401lag-008-01e 

401lag-008-01e

After opening the AUX outlet box I found the ID code of it : 401lag-008-01e 
Looking on the net for this code I did find some info, among them the pinout toward  the radio.
Basically the 401lag-008-01e module transpose the 3.5 mm audio stereo signal (3 wires) in a 5 wires cable connected on a 6 position connector.

Pinout : 

1. Not connected
2. Enabling signal
3. Left channel
4. Ground
5. Right channel
6. Enabling signal

Looking for  tests other people did, I identified two possible "hack" to restore the AUX selection.

One is to ground the pin 6, the other one is is to short the pin 2 with the pin 6.

I did try both of them but in the case of the Mazda 5 2012, the correct one is to short the pin 2 with the pin 6.
So I did solder a small wire between the pins on the module and ... voila' !
Now the audio console always "sees" a 3.5 mm jack cable connected.

Cost : 0$

Resources

• eBay compatible AUX outlet
  Note that the USB part will NOT work at all with the 2012 model. Only from 2013 model USB is supported. But the audio AUX will work
• Video to show how disassemble the dashboard