BMW Ipod Aux cable option? for Sirius

[Elvis 3.0]

I have the BMW Ipod interface cable installed through the glove box ('06 X5 3.0, non-nav, single CD). ( I assume that this uses the 'Aux' input on the back of the radio). When I insert an IPOD and cycle through the radio options from FM--> CD--> [AUX] IPOD the radio recognizes the ipod and I am able to utilize it through the radio controls.

When attempting to utilize and aftermarket AUX cable that hooks into the IPOD interface using the 'female' end of the IPOD, the radio states, "NO MAGAZINE"; and as a result I am not able to hook an AUX cable and use it.

I am attempting to connect my SIRIUS Starmate FM/AUX directly to the IPOD with no luck.

Does anyone have any good suggestions?

Thanks

[PersonaNonGrata]

I think your BMW AUX cable for iPod is mimicking a CD changer and is probably connected to the rear of your head unit as such. This may not be totally relevant but HERE are some instructions and photos of the old BMW iPodYourBMW kit I installed. What might help you is to see the connections on the back of the head unit. The old BMW kit operated by mimicking a CD changer and used that connection.

I still have that setup and I added a "regular" (non-iPod specific) BMW AUX cable with the 3.5mm female plug that I have my XM unit plugged into and my head unit recognizes it as an AUX input and works fine.

[Elvis 3.0]

It was driving me crazy. I installed the aux on my wife's mini a few years back and will assume it is pretty much the same procedure? Very much appreciate the post and pics. I did a search and ended up all over the place. The existing set up is pretty good for the ipod, but the sat. radio is a joke over the fm.

Thanks again.

[PersonaNonGrata]

Originally Posted by Elvis 3.0

It was driving me crazy. I installed the aux on my wife's mini a few years back and will assume it is pretty much the same procedure? Very much appreciate the post and pics. I did a search and ended up all over the place. The existing set up is pretty good for the ipod, but the sat. radio is a joke over the fm.

Thanks again.

I would get a BMW AUX cable and plug that in to the left side of the rear of your head unit. It should work fine since your X5 is '03 and the head unit is compatible with the BMW AUX cable. It is super easy to do and you will have a 3.5mm female jack to plug your sat radio or cellphone into for Pandora. Again, that's what I do in addition to my iPod.

[jaynana]

i think your aftermarket ipod to 3.5mm converter is not doing a great job of mimicking the ipod interface or acting as a dummy,and just providing the left/right sound signals.

if you want non-ipod there's a bmw cable that fits onto teh back of hte head unit, which is simply a 3.5mm female interface.

[Elvis 3.0]

Thanks again PNG- I appreciate the link and the photos that will come in handy.

When I installed the AUX on my wife's Mini I did not pull the fuses or uninstall the battery. Do you think it would be a mistake not to do either on the X5?

Thanks

[PersonaNonGrata]

Originally Posted by Elvis 3.0

Thanks again PNG- I appreciate the link and the photos that will come in handy.

When I installed the AUX on my wife's Mini I did not pull the fuses or uninstall the battery. Do you think it would be a mistake not to do either on the X5?

Thanks

No problem!

I'm not a car electronics expert but I don't see the need to pull the radio fuse or disconnect the battery. In fact, that could cause you to have to enter your radio code to get it working. All I did was pull the Business CD, plug in the BMW AUX cable, and run it from behind the dash to the driver's footwell where I wanted it to be more accessible to me for my XM unit that is placed in the ashtray.

You can get the BMW AUX cable from places like ECS Tuning or your favorite BMW parts specialist. Price is about $35.

[Elvis 3.0]

Should be straight forward. Ordered the part and will let you know if I run into any trouble. Thanks again.