DICE INSTALL PROB 09 X3

[LNLYCRPR]

So, after searching the threads both here and on Bimmerfest, I have found one decent thread on the installation of a DICE unit on an 09 X3. Boinzo did a great job of how to install the DICE on his X3. Although he clearly outlined how to dissasemble the dash, his install seemed much different from mine.

Dice Silverline (R40 radio harness) install in X3 - A Step by Step - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

There were several vague posts about having to take the radio out for an 09 but after reading the install manual and asking a representative about where to install the DICE module, both referred me to the center console... about 10mins.
Issues;
Correct, less than 10 min to take out the tray and locate the 6 pin connector. There was no 3 pin connector though. I tried fishing around and all I found was a 6 pin connector clearly marked "CD".



So after reading some more post, I looked in the trunk. What do I find? Both a 6 pin and a 3 pin connector (along with a few others, but the 3 and 6 pin are easily identified).



Amazing, should be as simple as hooking it up right? That's what I thought. After disconnecting the batt, hookup and power up... nothing happens. In fact the nav screen stays shut, does not work or respond to the dash/radio console and the power locks stop working. The Ipod does not even charge. Wierd... I wonder what could be going on?
Maybe, I'll take a look at the radio like Boinzo points out and see what's going. After taking the radio out, this is what I find.



The CD plug is just sitting there and not plugged into the radio. Clearly, when I plugged in the DICE module the first time, it was not doing anything b/c it wasn't even plugged into the radio. Maybe this could explain why nothing was happening. There is clearly a slot for the plug, so I plug it in.



I go back to the trunk, remove the neg cable, hook it all up then power on. It should work now right?... :thumbdwn: Instead, the the nav screen comes up and is completely blank. It doesn't go down this time, but it still doesn't work. The Ipod still does not even charge. Nothing.
I'm at a loss here, b/c after trying all, that it still doesn't work. No help from the install manual b/c it doesn't seem to pertain to my X3. The whole center console thing doesn't seem to match up.
The best part about all of this is that I purchased this kit over a year ago prior to my deployment to Afghanistan. So it seems as though I'm now out the $200 this thing cost me. I think the only thing I can be grateful for is that I didn't take this to a dealership that would've had no problem charging me an insane amount of money to pretty much find out the same thing.
At this point, I'm looking for some help. Am I doing something wrong? Is my X3 not compatible with the DICE module that I purchased? Do I have to purchase another unit? I will put the details down again and maybe someone could assist me with this. In the future, maybe someone in my shoes will be able to look at this.
I own a;
2009 X3 Sport
Navigation
DSP
NO sirius/satellite
NO 6 disc changer
DICE Module;
Silverlin Pro I-BMW-T/5V
DSP Adapter (may not be needed)

[Gadgets4U]

Hi, There should be a 3-pin connector located with the 6-pin one under the centre console. You might have to hunt for it under the silver colored metal plate, I did when I installed a Silverline in my X3. The 6-pin routes the audio signal from the changer/Dice unit to the ICE, where as the 3-pin is the I-Bus signals to control the Changer/Dice unit. There shouldn't be one without the other. Seen as there is the 6-pin connector you won't need the DSP adapter. Also remember to remove the negative lead from the battery before hooking up the Dice unit. The ICE system should then detect the Dice module when you reconnect the battery.
It's strange that the CD connector wasn't installed in the back of the dash unit, but sometimes this happens.

[LNLYCRPR]

Originally Posted by Gadgets4U

Hi, There should be a 3-pin connector located with the 6-pin one under the centre console.

Trust me... I fished for almost 20 min and found nothing. I looked at both sets of cable routhing through the bottom of the console and found nothing that could be easily removed like the 6pin. The 6 pin was very simple to find as it was the only loose cable/connector down there.

My X3 is an 09, so I'm not sure if that could be the issue Very frustrating either way.

Dice Electronics really sucks too. I sent emails to their support section on 2 different occasions... it has been over 6 weeks, and I haven't heard a damn thing from them.

Clearly, I will never purchase from them again. I just hope that others on this forum will be aware of that in case they run into issues.

[Gadgets4U]

My X3 is a 2009 version too, though non nav. I've found that it's minus the wiring loom to the rear of the car for the towing hitch electrics, the BMW Dealer said that it's not "towing hitch ready" so perhaps the 2009 "face lift" versions were a bit quirky in the way they were configured. Perhaps a trip to your local BMW Dealer could get the i-Bus cable issue sorted, as there should be one in the centre console or else the factory changer wouldn't have worked, if you were to have got it fitted.

Sorry to hear about the lack of support from Dice Electronics, it's not like them at all.
I'll be sure to pass on your concerns to Jessie, Adam & the team at Dice. Feel free to pm me if you need more assistance.

[LNLYCRPR]

Just to humor the issue, I went back into my X3 today and spent 2 hours fishing for that f****** 3 pin connector. After figuring out how to actualyl disassemble and remove the entire center console altogether, there was still NO ******* 3 pin connector.

The only reason I think that my BMW could be any different from ones in the states is that mine was a factory specified order from BMW. What I mean by that is that I got to choose what I did, and did not want on that vehicle and BMW built it that way for me. I'm stationed in Germany, and rather than having to choose from a lot vehicle, I was able to order mine direct from the factory. Since we chose not to have Sat Radio, I think they may have put that 3 pin connector elsewhere or it is in fact, buried so far in the console that I cannot reach it w/o removing the paneling and carpet.

Frustrating to say the least, but it looks like I might have to take my car to the factory. What still erks me is that the 3 and 6 pin connector are located in the rear, yet they do not work. FML!

[Yogik]

Well, my wife's 2010 X3 is the same way, was trying to install Dice adapter - no 3 pin connector under the central console ( was there in 2007 X3 ) . I guess Bmw changed they way it works now. Also contacted Bavariansoundworks and confirmed that Dice will not work with these connectors. Now the only question - is there an updated bluetooth module that can be installed that supports audio streaming?