X3 BMW portable Nav System

[2k328ci]

Thanks,

What kind of socket with inline fuse? Is this something I can find at a hardware store?

How did you take the dash apart?

Where did you get the radio wiring diagram?

Thanks.

[ngcreese]

Cigarette Lighter Socket
12V DC Motorcycle Power Socket(cigarette lighter socket) products, buy 12V DC Motorcycle Power Socket(cigarette lighter socket) products from alibaba.com

BMW X3 Radio Removal -- Google Search
Let me google that for you
In short, the center vents "pop" off.
Remove the hot/cold dial's cable.
There are a couple screws holding the center dash and radio in place.
Careful not to drop any screws into the dash.
The install videos from BSW, on youtube are pretty good at guiding you through this process.

BMW X3 Radio Wiring Diagram -- Google Search
Let me google that for you
You're looking for the color of the 12V switched wire & ground wires going to the back of the radio.


These links should help.
It's a really fun / easy project to do. Hope it turns out nicely for you!

...Enojoy

[2k328ci]

Thanks so much! It almost makes me brave enough to try it. I really appreciate it. I think this will be my spring project (as I don't have a garage for the winter).

I'm bookmarking these instructions!

Thanks again!

[ngcreese]

Cool!

Well, here's some pics of what the setup looks like...

When you use the 12V switched power wire, the Nuvi will turn on and off by itself. It's internal battery will charge while the car is switched on. And of course, you won't run the risk of forgetting to turn off the Nuvi and drain your car's battery.





If you feel the urge, you can detach the Nuvi, and leave the cradle in place.


Hehe.. or you could take the cradle too. BTW, all you need to buy from BMW is this dash piece. You can see where I dremeled it, to bring the power cord through. Then closed the whole using rubber grommets from the auto parts store.



The Nuvi, cradle and power cord/traffic receiver come as one package from Garmin. Note, the speaker built into the cradle. The Nuvi itself also has a small speaker built into it the is enabled when the unit is not in it's cradle.


Turn on the ignition and up comes the Nuvi...



Hope you like...

I'll need to go back in there to add a proper USB / ipod connection. Thinking about using that BSW one, and mounting a USB and Cigarette lighter plate inside the arm console. That'll be this summer's project .

BTW, Bavauto sells a set of upholstery removal tools so that you don't end up scratching stuff. I highly recommend them.