Auxiliary Input Retrofit Kit

[Cadeez]

So I installed this aux input kit last night on the new/used CD53 I got, and it doesn't F'n work..! For whatever reason my stereo doesn't have the "AUX" function available when you cycle through the "MODE" button, WTF?

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/82110149389/ES194845/

The stereo has the aux input on the back, the cord is plugged in and done correctly, so why wouldn't the stereo give me the option for AUX?? This thread says something about the stereo only showing the AUX function once the kit is plugged in, which it is, but it just toggles back and forth between radio & CD.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?662-BMW-OEM-Auxiliary-Input-DIY-doityourself

The stereo is out of an '02 I believe, but I was lead to believe that as long as the stereo has the extra AUX input on the back, it should work. Am I missing something?? I'm utterly disappointed and confused, I was all excited and then...nothing haha. Any help or tips are appreciated, thanks

Also, on a side note, the stereo I removed had 3 cables/wires plugging into the back, but this new stereo only has two inputs on the back. In the car there is the big main clip-in wiring harness on the left, a small metal ended cable, then a third wire which I believe is the antenna. The new stereo doesn't have an input for the antenna wire, so now not only does the AUX kit I installed not work, but now the radio is intermittent and fuzzy since there is no antenna... Insult to inury? Yup

[slater]

it sounds like the CD53 you got is not 100% compatible with your model year. pics of the back of the stereo, and connectors?

peter

[cakM3]

it sounds like the CD53 you got is not 100% compatible with your model year. pics of the back of the stereo, and connectors?

peter

I'm led to think the same thing...... as Peter posted above, pics of the stereo and connectors would help here...

[Cadeez]

I was under the impression ALL CD53 stereos were interchangable with any E46 model? Some have the AUX inputs, some don't, but the fittiment and wiring should be identical. Is that not the case? I don't have any pics handy, I'd have to pull the deck out again to get some, which I don't plan on doing until I have some sort of plan on how to fix the problem...or a new stereo. I was hoping there was something I was missing, some industry secret, like I needed to hold down a certain button for 5 seconds to unlock the AUX setting, or something. Wishful thinking


I'm led to think the same thing...... as Peter posted above, pics of the stereo and connectors would help here...

Shoot... Okay, I can pull it out again tonight (or maybe at lunch) and sit the two side by side and take some pics. I guess I may as well put my old one back in anyhow since at least the radio will work haha. Stay tuned for pics, thanks for the help fellas

[onaquest]

FWIW, mine only shows AUX, when cycling the modes, if there's something plugged into the 3.5mm line.

If you pull it out, take a pic of the part number as well.

[ELCID86]

Yes, sometimes the "aux" option isn't there if nothing is "feeding" it as I recall.

[Cadeez]

Yes, sometimes the "aux" option isn't there if nothing is "feeding" it as I recall.
I had my phone plugged in to the aux jack and Pandora running, I could not get it to show AUX when cycling the MODE button

FWIW, mine only shows AUX, when cycling the modes, if there's something plugged into the 3.5mm line.

If you pull it out, take a pic of the part number as well.

Will do, I'll get pics of all the wiring and all sides of the stereos

[Cadeez]

Here are some pics of the old and new stereo along with the wiring, hopefully this will help to find the problem...

This is the newly installed stereo, and this is all I see when I hit the "MODE" button
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3637_zpsmqvxwmxf.jpg (http://s374.photobucket.com/user/jcadell/media/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3637_zpsmqvxwmxf.jpg.html)

Back of the new stereo, fully plugged in with only 2 out of 3 connections
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3638_zpsqlcfbl1i.jpg (http://s374.photobucket.com/user/jcadell/media/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3638_zpsqlcfbl1i.jpg.html)

3 plugs coming out of the dash, one on the right is the odd man out, pretty sure that's the antenna lead
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3639_zpszbjcuvry.jpg (http://s374.photobucket.com/user/jcadell/media/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3639_zpszbjcuvry.jpg.html)

Here's a few pics of them side by side, new stereo is on top, old one is on the bottom
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3640_zpsegdlrfzl.jpg (http://s374.photobucket.com/user/jcadell/media/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3640_zpsegdlrfzl.jpg.html)
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3641_zpstvj8nlsf.jpg (http://s374.photobucket.com/user/jcadell/media/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3641_zpstvj8nlsf.jpg.html)
As you can see, the new stereo is clearly missing an input for the antenna lead
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/2001%20BMW%20330i/ec3d820e-6e08-46c6-806f-3744ee3279b5_zpsigsaprnj.jpg (http://s374.photobucket.com/user/jcadell/media/2001%20BMW%20330i/ec3d820e-6e08-46c6-806f-3744ee3279b5_zpsigsaprnj.jpg.html)
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3644_zpsttqfkgll.jpg (http://s374.photobucket.com/user/jcadell/media/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3644_zpsttqfkgll.jpg.html)

This is the top of the old stereo
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3645_zpsbwg4cegk.jpg (http://s374.photobucket.com/user/jcadell/media/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3645_zpsbwg4cegk.jpg.html)

Top of the new stereo
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3646_zpsprl9vg8a.jpg (http://s374.photobucket.com/user/jcadell/media/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3646_zpsprl9vg8a.jpg.html)

Bottom of the new stereo
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3647_zps7rzorngv.jpg (http://s374.photobucket.com/user/jcadell/media/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3647_zps7rzorngv.jpg.html)

Just came across this link from Bimmerforums, the part number of this new stereo (the above unit) is on the list as iPod capable (Alpine, Model CD53, Part Number 65. 12-6 915 711 (Sep 2001) Ipod Data Capable)
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1611782-Guide-to-Buying-E46-BMW-Business-CD53-Alpine-Radios-that-play-MP3-Data-CDs!

[terraphantm]

You need an 03 (September 2002) or newer CD53 for aux to work.

Also that connector on the left is an antenna connector. BMW changed it between from 02 onward. You'd need to get an adapter

The Metra 40-VW10 (http://www.amazon.com/Metra-Electronics-40-VW10-Aftermarket-Mercedes/dp/B0002BESIM) and Metra-EU20 (http://www.amazon.com/Metra-40-EU20-European-Antenna-Adapter/dp/B000329HF4/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1425836139&sr=1-1&keywords=Metra+40-EU20) together would work.

The power connection would go unused. And because the power connection is unused, you have to retrofit a diversity antenna from a newer car (those don't require power on newer cars) - part number 65256906075; I'd look for one on eBay or from a junkyard

[Cadeez]

You need an 03 (September 2002) or newer CD53 for aux to work.

Also that connector on the left is an antenna connector. BMW changed it between from 02 onward. You'd need to get an adapter

The Metra 40-VW10 (http://www.amazon.com/Metra-Electronics-40-VW10-Aftermarket-Mercedes/dp/B0002BESIM) and Metra-EU20 (http://www.amazon.com/Metra-40-EU20-European-Antenna-Adapter/dp/B000329HF4/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1425836139&sr=1-1&keywords=Metra+40-EU20) together would work.

The power connection would go unused. And because the power connection is unused, you have to retrofit a diversity antenna from a newer car (those don't require power on newer cars) - part number 65256906075; I'd look for one on eBay or from a junkyard

By "connector on the left", do you mean that little hole near the top left? Also, why would the power go unused? How would the radio operate without power? The AUX kit should be plug n play with an '03-'04 and above stereo, I've never heard about having to add all of this extra wiring to make it work, except for the antenna adapter

[terraphantm]

Referring to this picture:

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/2001%20BMW%20330i/ec3d820e-6e08-46c6-806f-3744ee3279b5_zpsigsaprnj.jpg

The radio gets its power from the connection you have labeled "harness".

What you have labeled "power" on the bottom radio is not a power input - it is a power output. It is used to power the diversity antenna amplifier. For 2002+ models, BMW made it a passive amplifier, and thus eliminated the output from the radio. What you have labeled as "power" on the top radio is not a power connection; it is an antenna connection.

If you want to use a 2002+ radio with a 2001 or earlier car, you have to switch to the passive diversity antenna amp, use an adapter for the antenna connection, and disregard the "power" connection.

[Cadeez]

Well shoot... Odd that the plug that goes into the power output connection on the bottom of the old stereo, fits perfectly into the antenna connection on the top new stereo. Everything else I read made everything sound so easy, just buy this Auxiliary Input Retrofit Kit for $30 (http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/82110149389/ES194845/), plug it in and you're golden!

So, if I get a newer passive amp, and the antenna adapter (http://www.amazon.com/Metra-Electronics-40-VW10-Aftermarket-Mercedes/dp/B0002BESIM), then I can just leave that power output plug unplugged and I'm good? I notice that neither end of this cord looks like it fits the antenna connection though?

It's never as easy as it sounds is it... Thanks for the help man, electronics are not my thing, much appreciated.

[terraphantm]

Well shoot... Odd that the plug that goes into the power output connection on the bottom of the old stereo, fits perfectly into the antenna connection on the top new stereo. Everything else I read made everything sound so easy, just buy this Auxiliary Input Retrofit Kit for $30 (http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/82110149389/ES194845/), plug it in and you're golden!

So, if I get a newer passive amp, and the antenna adapter (http://www.amazon.com/Metra-Electronics-40-VW10-Aftermarket-Mercedes/dp/B0002BESIM), then I can just leave that power output plug unplugged and I'm good? I notice that neither end of this cord looks like it fits the antenna connection though?

It's never as easy as it sounds is it... Thanks for the help man, electronics are not my thing, much appreciated.

Yeah most people who did the retrofit did so on 2002+ cars where it's a bit easier.

For the adapter you have to buy both of the ones I linked to - http://www.amazon.com/Metra-Electronics-40-VW10-Aftermarket-Mercedes/dp/B0002BESIM and http://www.amazon.com/Metra-40-EU20-European-Antenna-Adapter/dp/B000329HF4/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1425836139&sr=1-1&keywords=Metra+40-EU20

One adapter will plug in to the radio, another will plug into the existing antenna connection, and then the two adapters can plug into each other.

With the passive amp and the adapters, you should be set for using a newer radio

Edit: BMW also apparently made an official antenna adapter - http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/61126913955/ES162649/

I think I'd still go for the two metra connectors together since they accomplish the same thing for $20 less.

[Cadeez]

Perfecto! Okay, I've got it now. Thanks for the link to the BMW adapter, I'll probably opt for the BMW adapter over the Amazon ones. I found it at my local dealership for under $30. It's cleaner and easier, and I don't have to wait for it in the mail. Lastly, when I get an '02+ passive amp, it will be plug & play...correct? No adapters needed or any funny business? And it's in the trunk, is that right?

[terraphantm]

Perfecto! Okay, I've got it now. Thanks for the link to the BMW adapter, I'll probably opt for the BMW adapter over the Amazon ones. I found it at my local dealership for under $30. It's cleaner and easier, and I don't have to wait for it in the mail. Lastly, when I get an '02+ passive amp, it will be plug & play...correct? No adapters needed or any funny business? And it's in the trunk, is that right?

The antenna amp is located in the driver side C-pillar. It is a direct swap; only the power connection won't be used anymore since there isn't a spot for it.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l131/jjojo2004/reardeck5.jpg

[Cadeez]

Ohhh, there is an actual separate amp for the antenna?? I assumed we were talking about the standard black power amp which just had a different internal/external setup for the passive antenna. Haha man, I'm learning so much! Thanks again for the pics and all of your help, this project has become much bigger and more complicated than just installing a new plug into the back of a newer deck...