CARabc carplay

Hey guys,

I recently installed the CarABC module in my 2017 Tundra TRD Pro, aiming to enhance my driving experience. However, I've hit a roadblock – I can't find the option to mirror my Android (Pixel 7) onto the screen. Has anyone else faced this issue, and do you have a fix or solution?

 

Yep I have the same issue on my 2018 Tundra, sent a WhatsApp to the seller, no answer. I asked also about the audio EQ because it's not there on my unit.

 

That's also another thing we don't have! It's false advertisement on Amazon! Have you tried the website chat or FB chat? I was very disappointed.

 

Yep I went on their Facebook page, they told me to contact them on WhatsApp, there they just reply 'Hi' and that's it, nobody there . So far the unit is working, not always connecting at start but it's OK. I have connected a front view camera, it works but you need to exit the Android auto to come back to CarABC menu and click on CAMERA, not direct, 2 or 3 clicks to get there

 

Well that's lame, how long ago did you do that? And oh that's cool, I thought about doing that but I don't think I would have any use for it, why do you use the front camera?

 

2 months ago ...
Front camera is mainly for front distance appreciation in tight parking spot, $15 camera, just a nice to have gadget.

 

First time posting.... I tried to install the CARabc unit into my 2017 Tundra but it would not connect to my phone properly and keep it there. Then when I unplugged it, the back up camera would not work anymore? Plugged the CARabc until back in and the camera worked?? Unplugged again, no camera??? What the heck is going on here? Anyone else have this problem. My Tundra is all stock! Appreciate any guidance on this matter.

 

Did you delete your phone from the stored bluetooth settings within the factory Tundra headunit? I had to go into the settings and "forget" my phone. Then it connected seamlessly with the CARabc unit. Have not had any issues with daily use.

 

Did you also pair it the first time with a USB cable plugged into the unit itself, vs plugged into the stock location?

 

I did delete it and did not have it connected by USB, but still nothing would work. Now I cannot even get my Back up camera to work anymore. I have sent the CARabc unit back already as I did not want to take anymore chances with the system.

Has anyone ever found out how to get the Camera to work again?

 

i had it on less then 24 hours and had the same issue. I returned mine cuz i thought it was junk and not worth the money. Just disconnect your negative battery cable for 5 min then reconnect and your back up camera should work

 

i bought it and returned it 3 weeks later , people could not hear/understand me while driving .crappy sound also

 

disconnect the battery and your done

 

I have this kit on my 18 1794 with jbl system. Issue I’ve been having and hoping you guys may have solution, randomly at start up I’ll notice I put my phone usb cord in and phone shows Apple CarPlay drive on. But the image doesn’t appear on vehicle screen. I can use all the oem features (except for back up camera ). Randomly it’ll start working again and camera and apple car play is great. I’ve tried holding the speak button for three seconds which switches carabc to work but it doesn’t. I’ve tried rebooting radio with no luck.

 

I just installed the Carabc conversion box in my 16 SR5, all works well. Had trouble with the camera and had to change the camera type in Settings/Car Settings/Camera type to OE camera, also had to disconnect the battery a couple of times to get the camera back. It seems if you don't change the camera settings it will likely just display a blank screen. Also, had to position the box deep in the left of the dash area behind the head unit and arrange the cables so the HU would fit back in, it was tight. The attached USB cable just runs out at the bottom and you'll have to just squeeze it between the lower aux, USB, lighter plugs panel. Not great but it'll do, I was thinking maybe I should add an extension and run it around the lower dash panels so it's not squeezed, as I would expect the squeezing to grind away the cable over time. I think it's we'll worth the money to retain the OE screen (looks fine) compared to spending an easy grand to install a new head unit with screen. The sound is comparable to pre install. The built in EQ seems useless. I also had to delete the phone in the Bluetooth settings of the OE head unit as the phone tries to connect to it instead of the Carabc box.

 

Glad to hear you got it working.
For what it’s worth - I powered up the unit and connected to its USB connection once to make sure my phone paired correctly. I then tucked it in behind the stereo and haven’t missed it since.

 

I'm still having the issue where Google maps won't automatically switch between day and night mode. Other than that the unit is working well. I think my center dash speaker is dying but that's unrelated.

 

I have the same issue with Google maps.

 

Same, both Waze and Maps do not switch modes nor is it an option, both default to daytime mode. Had to dim the screen a bit.

 

I can go in to settings and switch it manually but I have to do it every time I turn the truck off and back on. Kinda annoying if I want night mode that bad. I really only use this adapter when I go on longer drives.

 

this is my 1 year (and a few months) review. I still give this device a solid 4 out of 5, even though I still have the phone call quality issue (people complaining I sound staticky or far away). I fix this by switching to SPEAKER mode or to OEM Bluetooth connection on the 4Runner. If there is a way to make the MIC on this to be better, please let me know.

I am also wondering, does anyone know how to do firmware upgrades on this?

 

So it has been almost 2 years since I did the install and here is my update!!

First, I still like the unit for my purposes which is mainly using Waze, Google maps, Pandora, Spotify, and phone calls with family. Nobody has ever told me that I was hard to hear or muddled sounding.

Second, the audio is still just basic and stock and my SR trim truck didn't have anything great to begin with so it's not a big deal to me. Would I like awesome sound? Yes. Am I willing to pay $1,000 or more for it on this truck? No. I don't know if I will ever upgrade the stereo like that because of the cost and also because it would attract theft. I enjoy having the stock look and buttons and knob. I wish the unit had an audio output so I could install an amplifier and some quality speakers but that is all I would do. I enjoy having things look stock or boring or sleeper style.

Third, Seems like everybody is having issues with the backup camera not working. You have to wait for the unit to completely boot up before it will correctly display the reverse camera and that can be anywhere from 10-30 seconds. I'm pretty certain the way this unit interface "displays" on the toyota head unit is because the carplay unit is hijacking the stock analog rear camera video signal wiring. It is between the toyota unit and the stock camera. Toyota headunit <=> CARabc Carplay <=> rear camera video signal. As far as the Toyota head unit is concerned, it is always displaying the rear camera signal, but you are actually looking at the Carplay screen instead. When you shift in reverse, the Carplay will switch within itself to show you the rear camera feed. Just my best guess based on how everything acts.

Fourth, My screen colors have muted quite a bit. One day probably almost a year ago now, the color just left.... so it's much more grayscale. Now THIS is annoying for me because the color screen is pretty important when you're glancing at waze or maps and you can't really see if traffic is red or green down the road and of course it affects the overall enjoyment of using the unit for it's intended purposes. Because I believe this display is on the analog video feed of the stock rear camera feed, I am thinking I can try popping the unit out, check wiring and wiggle it a bit and watch the display to see if the color comes back like an old timey TV antenna .

Overall, I'm still good with it and especially considering the price of under $200. I would gladly pay $400 for a more refined and upgraded unit with audio inputs/outputs for amplifiers and fix the color loss issue.

 

Mine comes in today im just curious can i screen mirror my iphone and get netflix to play from my phone to the screen from the carabc

 

Did you get the screen mirroring working? Mine will attempt to mirror but get stuck and never connect.

 

I tired it and it did mirror but terrible screen quality , like not even worth it so i pulled it and am looking into a new hu had high hopes for it