How do you remove the phone cradle?

[brian5]

I had never seen that picture below. It sure does look like #1 can be removed. I did not have the diagram when I did mine and assumed it could not be removed.

The plastic "flap" that I mentioned earlier, to cover the hole that will be left, is #6.

I have #5 at the front of mine; assume you have that too. Do you have that disconnected?

How did you remove bolts #11?

[apw2607]

Yea. You're in the same position as me. I couldnt figure out how to remove the bucket. I did determine on my 09 with smartphone integration that the baseplate cradle wiring went underneath the bucket and then into the USB hub which is underneath the shifter and idrive controller. Another baseplate cable went to the back of the aux jack at the front of the bucket. I never found the shark fin antenna connection and there should be a final cable that goes to the mulf2 or combox for sensing.

I determined the more dismantle of the overall console was required to removed the bucket. Maybe someone else can chime in with sugggestions.

[apw2607]

Removing bolts 11 is easy. Just unclip the top cover of the back of the console area. It will reveal those screws.

[bluetec]

Yeah, the #11 bolts are easy, as are the bolts under phone cradle itself. Problem is I am left with the cables running under the bucket (#1) and no way to disconnect the cradle (#14). The goal is to somehow lift the bucket up to expose the connector. The blank plate (#6) is available for under $10. If I can't figure out how to get the bucket out, I am considering cutting the cables instead. I wanted to retain the kit for the new owner, but this cradle has got to go. What a waste of space... although the best option ever.

Originally Posted by apw2607

Removing bolts 11 is easy. Just unclip the top cover of the back of the console area. It will reveal those screws.

[apw2607]

Yikes ... Cutting !!!

You could go and speak with a bmw tech. They could pull up and hopefully printout the instructions to dismantle it.

A concern I have ... You may need to change your vehicle order (via coding) since the car will expect it there and if it's not it may log errors.

[LeftCoastErik]

Any update on this? I am at the same point on my 2012 X5 35d. That cradle is making me mental.

[LeftCoastErik]

Got it...Just removed torx, got the cradle where I could work on it, removed the two small torx under the rubber feet at the front edge of the cradle, split the cradle, removed the wiring and circuit board. In my case the cradle is a total loss, but I was never going to put it back anyway. The wiring tucks nicely in the hole under the console. I'll order up a cover and I am good to go. BTW, no codes or issues with the truck.

[bluetec]

Not yet, but I haven't given up on it. There has to be a trick to removing the console bucket I just haven't found. The exploded diagram I found is for purchasing parts, not from a manual on dissassembly. After having removed the cradle and the two "bucket retaining screws" there is nothing further to remove that is visible. This must mean there either more hidden bolts under the side trim, or it snap-locks into place. I can't see any releases. I have thought about running up to BMW to see if I could see a picture from the manual. Haven't found anything on the internet. You know the cradle cable has a connector just out of view, but there is no way to pull the connector apart without getting your hands on it. I will never use the cradle, but would like to retain it for resale. Very frustrating.

[bluetec]

Originally Posted by LeftCoastErik

In my case the cradle is a total loss, but I was never going to put it back anyway. The wiring tucks nicely in the hole under the console. I'll order up a cover and I am good to go. BTW, no codes or issues with the truck.

Thanks Erik. When you say the cradle is a total loss, do you mean you had to "break" the cradle apart after the two torx screws, or that in order to remove the the circuit board you had to do something else which is irreversible? I did want to save for resale purposes, but... I just purchased this '09 CPO three months ago so I plan on keeping it for a long time. The cradle would be distant memory and it probably wouldn't even be a factor during resale since BT works flawlessly for almost every phone out there. Anyhow, appreciate you reviving the thread and providing a solution. Cheers.

[LeftCoastErik]

Yes, I did break it, but I could have taken it apart more gently. I just made the command decision that I would never need it and I didn't want to spend hours dissecting it. I didn't cut any of the wiring though, and I saved the chip from the holder, so if I ever had to, I could rig it up to work.
I suspect, like you have mentioned, that by the time I would want to get rid of the truck, it would be a distant memory and of no value to a potential buyer.