Anyone else having issues with CarPlay after installing a subwoofer?

Automotive Forums
1

I put a 10-inch subwoofer in my girlfriend’s 2020 Subaru WRX. During the install, I had to unplug the radio and tap into the speaker wires for the line output converter. After reconnecting everything, the USB ports work fine—they charge the phone and play wired audio. But no matter what we do, CarPlay just won’t show up. We’ve tried updating the head unit and phone, resetting network settings, deleting the car’s CarPlay profile on the phone, and even disconnecting and reconnecting the car battery. Still no luck. Any ideas?

2

Have you tried using a different cable? Sometimes it’s something that simple.

3

Zander said:
Have you tried using a different cable? Sometimes it’s something that simple.

Yeah, I’ve tried two different cables already. They both worked before the install, but I’ll give another one a shot just to rule it out.

4

@Kade
I think there might be another connection deeper in the dash. It’s possible it got unplugged during the install.

5

Zander said:
@Kade
I think there might be another connection deeper in the dash. It’s possible it got unplugged during the install.

What kind of connection are you talking about?

6

Kade said:

Zander said:
@Kade
I think there might be another connection deeper in the dash. It’s possible it got unplugged during the install.

What kind of connection are you talking about?

The USB connection. Sometimes there’s a secondary one that handles CarPlay.

7

@Zander
I did reconnect one USB wire. Is there a separate wire just for CarPlay?

8

Are you sure the USB port is fully plugged in?

9

Emlyn said:
Are you sure the USB port is fully plugged in?

Yeah, it’s plugged in all the way. The USB charges the phone just fine, but CarPlay isn’t showing up as an option.

10

Did you reconnect the GPS antenna?

11

Bay said:
Did you reconnect the GPS antenna?

Would that really affect CarPlay?

12

Kade said:

Bay said:
Did you reconnect the GPS antenna?

Would that really affect CarPlay?

Are you using the factory head unit or an aftermarket one?

13

Bay said:

Kade said:
Bay said:
Did you reconnect the GPS antenna?

Would that really affect CarPlay?

Are you using the factory head unit or an aftermarket one?

It’s the factory head unit.

14

@Kade
With aftermarket head units, the GPS antenna has to be connected for CarPlay to work. For the factory one, maybe try resetting the WiFi connection. Unplugging things during the install might’ve caused an issue.