Couldn't find the spare connector behind OBM unit!!
 

Hi everyone, I'm trying to install an Aux input on my car. I'm basically following the instruction by Steved on the article 'Installing an Aux input on an X5' article 23 under Stereo.

Now I'm having a problem of locating the 'spare connector behind the OBM unit'. I can't seem to find the spare connector!!! Where is it?? I check inside the wiring harness and everywhere but to no avail.

Need help guys... Spent quite a lot of money on the connector plus the iPhone kit already the last thing I want is that everything is going in the bin. I will enclose a view of what's behind the OBM unit later today. Any suggestion really appreciated.

Here is the view behind the OBM unit... can you see a spare connector????
Attachment 28746

See page 10 on this document - http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/pdf/BM...stallation.pdf

I actually connected mine directly to the radio module located down in the spare tire compartment.

Hi UCrewX5,

Thanks for the reply. I've actually undone the clothe that surrounding those wires but still couldn't find the X14118 (from the Pg.10 document).

Is there anyway that the spare connector (X14118) has been used to link up anything else already??? I have a CD changer and a DVD player on the trunk. Could either one of these has used the connector???

What year is your X5? It's possible that it is not pre-wired with that connector (mine is a 2001 and it did not have that connector) and your only option is to connect it at the radio module.

Mine is 2001 so I take it that it's not pre-wired then so how do you wired up the aux input connector (bought from the bmw dealer) to the radio module? Where is the radio module? Do u have a step by step instruction or better yet photos...

The radio module on an X5 with navigation is located down in the spare tire compartment, behind the battery.

Here's the bad news. The radio module in a 2001 X5 doesn't support AUX. I replaced my radio module with one from a 2003 X5. To do so you also need to have a conversion harness, as the 2001 radio module uses round pin connectors and the newer radio module uses a flat pin connector. See http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/s...formation.html

Does this only apply for the radio module..?

I have a 2001 car with navigation, the 3:4 screen and thinking about adding an aux input.

Is this possible..?

The only way to add the OEM AUX input kit is to install a newer radio module in the vehicle.

There are aftermarket AUX input solutions available if you don't want to go that route. Several of our site sponsors can provide you these kits.

Okey, so i would have to install the newer 16:9 navigation module in order to do it this way..


Ill check around to see if i can find one of the other options since i dont think i will update the navigation module..

Thanks..

The radio module is not integrated into the 16:9 navigation screen module. It is a separate component and is located down in the spare tire compartment. You do not need to update to the 16:9 nav screen in order to update your radio module.

Aaah.

Okey, then i understand..


How much would a radio module cost about..?

And would i have to stretch the wire from the radio module and forward.??

Is there an recommended option.? Like the others mentioned before.?

I'm not sure how much they cost (eBay is a good place to find used one and shop price, however). You do not need to run any wiring from the radio module up to the front in order to install the new radio module, but you will need an adaptor harness (your radio module will have the round pin connectors and the newer one has flat pin connectors - see http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/s...formation.html and http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/52117 ). You will have to extend some wiring up to the front, though, if you want the AUX connector to be accessible from the driver's station rather than from the back part of the vehicle.

Thanks for the tip. Ill see trought the info and see if i get it..;)


BTW, my radio module is an european version.. It was installed after the car was imported to Norway, from USA in 2005..

Maybe i have an upgraded version.? Is there a serial number or something i can look for.?

There should be a sticker on the radio module that tells you the hardware and firmware versions, as well as the manufacturing date. That will give an idea of what you have and what it is capable of.