Connecting AUX cable- Need clarity

[wpoll]

SA is a factory option - you can enter you car's VIN (the last seven digits only) into a VIN decoder and it will list the options the car was built with.

bimmer.work : VIN Decoder for BMW

SA 662 is the BMW Business CD radio
SA 609 is the factory Navigation system

[CapeX5]

if this doesn't do it for you, take it to a professional.E39 Aux Kit Radio Upgrade and Install DIY - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

[mcfee03]

I've just re-insulated all my cords- I really need to find out which PINS I need to attach them to. I've wasted hours and hours on this

Very frustrating these resellers sell cables that have no spot to plug in on my device. All the videos seem to use a cord with the 12-pin plug. Totally inconsistent

Here's my cord (well, mine is now without the case).

[wpoll]

I would have made a guess that white is the left, red is the right and yellow is the common (earth) but looking on the factory wiring diagrams, I see the following info on the 12-pin connector on the back of the CD Player unit: -

X13598
Pin 3 - Left In - Yellow
Pin 4 - Right In - White
Pin 10 - Gnd - Brown

Not sure this helps you much.... you need to find out from the supplier what wire is what on your adapter - or find someone with a multi-meter.

[mcfee03]

Originally Posted by wpoll

I would have made a guess that white is the left, red is the right and yellow is the common (earth)

X13598
Pin 3 - Left In - Yellow
Pin 4 - Right In - White
Pin 10 - Gnd - Brown.

Thank you - I did locate that and tried it without success.

Problem is, it takes such a long time to try every combination.

Is there a quicker way- that doesn't involve me connecting it to the radio every time? Such as, can I dismantle RCA cable of mine connected to some speakers and try connecting there?

[wpoll]

How are you testing it? With an iPod etc. connected?

I think the CD Player "senses" that a device is connected and adds the AUX option to the mode list. If no device is connected, the AUX will never appear as an option. At least, that's what I understand from comments made by others here. And it makes sense, from an electrical engineering perspective.

Confession; I don't have one of these cables in my car BUT I do this sort of thing for a living...

Unfortunately, I doubt there's a quick way to sort this without a multi-meter or some other test instrument - and with one it will take 30 seconds.

[mario4705]

i wouldnt do this DIY, if you buy the aux plate from the dealer and have best buy install relatively inexpensive

[mcfee03]

Originally Posted by wpoll

SA is a factory option - you can enter you car's VIN (the last seven digits only) into a VIN decoder and it will list the options the car was built with.

bimmer.work : VIN Decoder for BMW

Apparently, I have the 661?

The results are:

[wpoll]

Have you checked that your CD Player/Radio internal software is new enough for the Aux feature?

Here's how:

1. Turn Radio Off.
2. Turn Radio On.
3. Press and hold the "m" button for about 10 seconds.
4. Press < or > to navigate, you will need to go to the 2nd screen to look for the SW Verison which is in a SV xx-xx xx format.
5. To be Sirius/AUX or XM compatible, the radio must be SW 43 or higher.
6. Turn radio off to exit.

The MODE button is not a good enough of an indicator to check if a radio is AUX or Sirius compatible. It needs to be manufactured 09/02 or later.

(thanks to tom@eas over at e46fanatics for this info.)

[wpoll]

BTW, just checked on my '05 , which has the SA663 option (BMW CD Professional) and the SW version displays as 41. Given that most internet-sourced documentation indicates that a car from late '02 or newer would be OK with an AUX input, I'm surprised to find that my '05 most likely isn't.

Good thing I'm not trying to get an AUX input going!