No power to CD changer - cannot install ipod?

[temeculaX5]

Hello all, this may sound like a stupid question... I am pretty good at taking cars apart, but I purchased a used 2002 X5 last winter and never used the CD Changer... Needless to say, it was not working, hooked up or something, I believe there is no power going to the unit itself.

After removing the head unit and CD player, I saw a black plug which was just taped inside, behind the radio...

I purchased the aux cable from BMW, and needless to say, after following all of the insructions here on the forum for installing the aux cable, the player does not read it... I did it both ways, just plug in the cable into slot 2, and I also removed the pins, installed them into the existing cable line in the car, and still nothing...

I don't know if it is a fuse or what. I do not have a tester, so I cannot test the black and brown wires which are in slot 6 and 12 on the existing cable which I moved the pins to...

The cable was purchased from BMW, I did tell them that I had a 2002 X5, however, after reading some of the forums and install guides, I saw that the cable is only for cars made after a certain date... But looking at the hardware, it all lines up.

Maybe my first question should be what does the black and brown wire do? Is it power for the CD Changer?

I'm a little frustrated. Any help on this would be appreciated.

Warmest regards.

[TerminatorX5]

temecula,
Welcome to the board...

The CD changer that you are talking about is mounted in the left rear part of the car, in the cago area, right? In there, there should be 2 connectors, one is a 3-pin and the other one is a 6-pin. Are they present in your car? They should be there, if you car never had a CD-changer, they are probably furled away in the back and taped to other cables. Technically speaking, CD-changer in US spec BMWs is a plug-n-play installation, as long as you are using an OEM hardware.
The power to the changer comes from the pin 2 of the 3-pin connector, pin 1 is a ground and pin 3 is I-bus, the communication wire that tells the rest of the car that the changer is there.

You did not mention if you have DSP - in that case, you might have to use a coax cable instead of the 6-pin connector. There are couple of variations in the DSP set up, but let's take care of the changer first.

The changer fuse is in the right rear part of the cargo area, fuse # 72, it is a 30A fuse, the first one from the left in the row of the fuses.

For a simple changer installation you do not need an AUX cable - let's do one thing at a time, so not to get confused...

[temeculaX5]

Thank you for your reply... It is greatly appreciated. However, the CD changer is in the center console and not in the cargo area and the car does not have DSP. Should I go ahead and try and take apart the center console and remove the player to see if it is in working order? I put everythig back in the car to OEM specs after taking everything apart during the installation of the aux input cable.

Thank you again for your help!!! It is greatly appreciated.

Warm regards,
Carlo Aguas

[TerminatorX5]

Ok, in this case, I think, you have a BMW Business CD player, not a changer. In other words, it is a single slot, single disk machine (some AUDIs have single slot, 6-disk changers in the front of the car). In '02 the BMW did not use the multi-disk, single slot players (Folks, if someone knows otherwise, please correct me!!).

Carlos, tell me, what you are trying to accomplish - are you trying to install a factory changer (black changer on pic) in factory location (silver DVD changer on the second pic in place of CD changer), are you trying to install an AUX cable for the iPod (that AUX cable connects to the radio unit in the spare wheel area, next to the battery), are you trying to install a DICE unit... Also, in some instances, the radio unit is not located in the spare wheel area but actually is in the front dash of the car.
Think of me as a person who just walked into your garage and is clueless and you are trying to impress me with the toys that you are going to have and don't be afraid to tell me obvious things...

[Tom G.]

Here's a link to removing the radio in the X5: http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/s...bluetooth.html

Is this the step you're at?

[temeculaX5]

Thank you for all the feedback... OK, well since I am new to the forum, I did not know anyone replied back to me. I hope this message reaches all of those trying to help me and by the way, I GREATLY APPRECIATE EVERYONES TIME.

Well, here is the deal. I am trying to install an aux input for my daughter's dvd player. FM Mod sounds bad and in some areas, does not work. And of course a plug for my ipod.

I called BMW and asked told them I had an 02 x5 which I would like to add an aux input. The part the dealer sold me looks to be the one for 03 and up (after doing some research on the internet).

I did some research and found out that it needed to be pluged in to the radio unit at the rear of the car, as stated in a reply above. However, per instructions, I pulled out the spare in the rear of the car, took off the plastic cover only to find a budle of wires and harness' that lead no where, just hanging there. So I am guessing that the Radio unit is at the front of the car. However, I do not know where and how to plug in the aux input.

This is my first area in which assistance is needed.

I also have a 6 disc changer in the center console under the flap that comes up. Holds 6 discs, but does not work. Also, I have an in dash business CD player. Business CD works, but chager in the console does not. Funny how the changer is not in the rear of the car.

The 6 disc changer I can live without, however, it would be nice to get it running since it is there. But as stated, one thing at a time.

Thank you to all who replied.

[temeculaX5]

BTW, no nav, no dsp. Thanks, Carlo

[temeculaX5]

OK, just pulled out console... What I thought to be a Changer, looks to be more like a CD Storage unit... Holy cow, looked like a changer, I'm serious. I thought I knew a thing or two about cars, but got my butt kicked when I took the console out. So really my only question is the aux unit. But looking at the boards, looks like there is no way to use what the dealership sold me since I have an 02. Bummer!

THANKS FOR ALL THE FEEDBACK. LOOKS LIKE I"M STUCK LOOKING FOR A DICE UNIT!

THANK YOU ALL!

[Tom G.]

We've got the DICE when you're ready:

DICE iPod Integration Kit for BMW
http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...roducts_id=268