No Mic input on Idoing head unit for 2017 Subaru WRX STI

[kfkWRX17]

Forgive me if this has been asked / answered before, but I did lots of searching and didn't find it, potentially due to my head unit being known under another name?

The Car and Setup:

* 2017 WRX STI with Harmon Kardon system
* Stock except for the head unit
* Bought the IDoing Head Unit 2015-2021 WRX / STI for Harmon Kardon (from WRXDaily)
* Followed Smeedia and Boost&Shutter video guides to swap out the old head unit and install the new one.
* Ran external mic up the A-pillar
* CAM-BUS decoder is installed
* HU shows as sprd ums512_1h10_natv
* CPU is UIS7862 Octa-Core 2.0 GHz, with 4GB Memory 64GB Storage
* MCU 2021.04.26 15:40:55 PSTAR_53_L6315_G23P48F64_V:1.0
* Android 10, Build number QP1A.190711.020
* I believe this is an FYT unit, more info here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...unisoc-ums512-q-a-mods-tips-firmware.4396339/


Troubleshooting Attempted:

* Triple-checked that the cables were all plugged in correctly across the whole link and had no pinches
* Rebooted the head unit, re-connected the phone
* Ensured that all other functionality works (Android Auto Wired and Wireless, sound, backup camera, etc)
* Tested mic with a variety of apps, both with android auto and the head unit standalone.
* Tested with a variety of methods of activating the mic
* Looked for software option to enable it, didn't find it.
* All work resulted in the mic not appearing to pick up anything
* Went to Factory menu in settings (PW is 3368) and enabled the 'mic' option; no change

So what I'm wondering is if there is a software option needed to enable the mic, or I'm dealing with a hardware issue?

I suppose I could yank the mic out and plug it into another device, but before I do so, if anyone with some experience here could redirect me, what would be very helpful. Thank you in advance, and let me know what additional information you need.

Update: Added what I've learned about the head unit in case anyone else searches this post, and additional troubleshooting attempted.

 

[Anton TNT]

Test the mic with PC or laptop first, Android may not register mic at all if mulfunctioned.

 

[kfkWRX17]

Thank you! I'll try this out; not looking forward to taking the dash apart again

Update: Haven't yet had a chance to test the mic with another device; poor weather + busy schedule + lack of desire to take dash apart have delayed. I do have a local expert who is checking if he has a 'known good' mic that I can also try

 

[Anton TNT]

Thank you! I'll try this out; not looking forward to taking the dash apart again

Update: Haven't yet had a chance to test the mic with another device; poor weather + busy schedule + lack of desire to take dash apart have delayed. I do have a local expert who is checking if he has a 'known good' mic that I can also tr

No need to take apart anything just connect switch / end odf a mic to a laptop while in a car (make a joint or if you have usb 4 pin cable ready)

 

[kfkWRX17]

No need to take apart anything just connect switch / end odf a mic to a laptop while in a car (make a joint or if you have usb 4 pin cable ready)

The external mic connects at the back of the head unit

So there is no way to plug it into another device without pulling the dash

 

[Anton TNT]

The external mic connects at the back of the head unit

So there is no way to plug it into another device without pulling the dash

Disconnect it from head unit if possible, and test. It must disconnect at the back it is only connected thru jack .

 

[kfkWRX17]

Disconnect it from head unit if possible, and test. It must disconnect at the back it is only connected thru jack .

Ok, I've torn up my dash again. thank you to everyone who gave me suggestions on the mic. Here are the results of my testing. Device details again for reference: iDoing FYT unit UIS7862 MCU 2021.04.26 15:40:55 PSTAR_53_L6315_G23P48F64_V:1.0

1. Validated External Mic by removing the 3.5mm jack and plugging it into the 3.5mm jack on both a microsoft surface tablet and an old Moto Z play
2. On the moto Z play, the phone was able to register voice via google assistance. The phone is on its last legs and died, so I switched to the surface
3. On the surface, I made a test call to a friend in discord, changed from the surface internal mic to the iDoing external mic during the call; friend could hear me and noticed the audio change. I also made 2 recordings, one with the iDoing external mic and one with the Surface internal mic. They sounded different but I could hear both
4. fully disconnected the harness from the back of the iDoing head unit and downloaded a voice recorder app directly to the head unit (phone was not paired)
5. Recording 1: Internal mic, "back MIC switch" in Factory menu set to "OFF - Front Mic"
6. Recording 2: internal mic, "back MIC switch in Factory menu set to "ON - back Mic"
7. firmly plugged in the harness in the correct spot (it was fully seated) and re-connected the external mic
8. Recording 3: external mic, "back MIC switch" in Factory menu set to "OFF - Front Mic"
9. Recording 4: external mic, "back MIC switch in Factory menu set to "ON - back Mic"
10. zero of the recordings picked up any sounds.

So my conclusions are that one, the external mic does work, and 2, either the iDoing head unit doesn't understand mic input, I have failed to enable it properly, or BOTH the harness and the internal mic are dead.

Any advice?

 

[Anton TNT]

Last resort - use app called LESSER AUDIO SWITCH , download and install from Google Play store , there inside app you can set input and output for speakers and mic

 

[kfkWRX17]

Last resort - use app called LESSER AUDIO SWITCH , download and install from Google Play store , there inside app you can set input and output for speakers and mic

Thank you! I will try that. This HU already has a method of boosting mic gain; did it to the max and no change.


The other idea I'm going to try is a USB mic, since I do have USB inputs

 

[kfkWRX17]

Last resort - use app called LESSER AUDIO SWITCH , download and install from Google Play store , there inside app you can set input and output for speakers and mic

I tried this, and the only option in the app was the internal mic. Still no dice


I am suspecting a VERY strange software issue. Any other ideas?

 

[Anton TNT]

Please take a photo of each factory settings and post here...

 

[kfkWRX17]

Please take a photo of each factory settings and post here...

This is the main setting I've been toggling; I'll get a list of the other settings later today

 

[kfkWRX17]

Ok i literally couldn't find another setting that was remotely relevant.

This thing is borked at the software level. Probably gonna return

 

[Anton TNT]

Why is front mic off ?

 

[kfkWRX17]

Why is front mic off ?

That's the setting that I have toggled. On or off makes zero change

 

[Anton TNT]

hardware problem or internal mic disconnected

 

[kfkWRX17]

hardware problem or internal mic disconnected

yup. I will wait for IDoing to respond

 

[kfkWRX17]

UPDATE:

IDoing finally got back to me. They claim there is a bluetooth bug causing this issue, and gave me 2 files to "update" the driver. They sent me videos of someone plugging in UBS and the update just 'happening'. I doubt it's that simple. Has anyone performed this update, and if so, could they advise me on how to do so properly? Thanks in advance

 

[Anton TNT]

UPDATE:

IDoing finally got back to me. They claim there is a bluetooth bug causing this issue, and gave me 2 files to "update" the driver. They sent me videos of someone plugging in UBS and the update just 'happening'. I doubt it's that simple. Has anyone performed this update, and if so, could they advise me on how to do so properly? Thanks in advance

I think you must import those drivers from factory settings, there is import button.

 

[kfkWRX17]

Thanks! I tried this; successfully updated bluetooth, but no change in the mic. I am not surprised.