additional info on the aux input

[jadeddjay]

i have a 2004 x5 3.0i with the bmw business cd and no gps or dsp
i didnt want to spend 35 dollars buying a factory kit. i went to radio shack to get a 1/8" phone stereo jack for 3 dollars

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...t%5Fid=274-248

it acutally fits right into the cigerette holder in the ashtray. wires can be brought through ashtrey light and through the hole under the ashtray.

i did not have a torx screwdriver nor did i want to buy a set of torx screws. a small flathead screwdriver from a micro set works just fine. i used it to turn the torx lock about 90 degrees counter clockwise, and at the same time used a pair of small pliars to pull the head unit out using the volume pot. the lock will turn back by itself, so you have to hold the torx lock while you pull the whole thing out.

the acutual connector for the aux input was acutally located on the back of the cd player, not on the radio. it took me the longest time to figure that out. for the adaptors to the factory wiring harness, i took the pins out of an old power connector to a computer floppy drive. they fit right into the connector. i took out the pins, and the wires to which they were connected. i then used buttconnectors to splice together the wires. the connector locks into the housing for the wiring harness via a rail, and if the terminals are inserted the correct way, they will get in the way of the rail. i turned the terminals upside down and le the rail lock the pins in place.

i used some pretty thick wire, so they were not flimsy...it helped when i was trying to snake the wires down to the ashtray. it also helped to remove the air control panel by pushing it out from behind.

so i saved myself alot of time and money... besides the time it took to figure out the very sketchy directions online, it is really easy and not invasive to the vehicle at all. i didnt need a drill or anything, just one small flathead screwdriver and a pair of small pliars. and about 5 bux