Bringing an Ice>Link Plus up to a newer version?
 

I have looked through the threads but can't see anything obvious with the answers I need. If it is there I'm sorry.

Here's the scenario.

I have a 2005 E53 with the MkIV Nav system, head with a cassette player (why did BMW do that in 2005??!!) and CD changer and no DSP.

I have an ICE>Link plus system installed with a long cable from the connectors under the trunk floor, via a small pcb adapter to an angled bracket up front and the 1st generation iPod Photo (2004 model) with a colour display.

I would like to bring the whole system up to date as my iPod is showing it's age (battery reliability is beginning to be an issue) and will probably buy something like an Iphone4 or 4G Ipod touch (when it's out later in the year). My car already has the built in Siemens (?) phone system with the handset in the armrest and SIM holder, so I'm really only concerned with the music playback capability.

What hardware/wiring do I need to replace to update the system to use the latest generation iPod/iPhone? Indeed can I use any of the currently installed ICE>Link Plus wiring/parts? Do I need to remove the existing system completely (in which case has anyone got the de-install instructions to revert the wiring to factory using the CD changer?). Do I need to start again?

I'm sure I can't be the first to try this, or at least wanting to do it, but I can't find a clear list of exactly what I would need to do and what parts need to be removed, added, can be used?

Any of the expert installers have a guide?

The ILP kits were discontinued in 2005 in the US, this might be a question best asked to Dension directly. they can be contacted at [email protected]

Thanks Tom,

Given Dension's less than stellar customer support (and that's the polite version in my experience as they never replied once to any of my problems when the system was first put in and the wiring was faulty - badly fitted pin in the connector in the trunk and a new BMW converter PC board needed in the cable), what's the alternative? I assume that means ripping it all out and starting again with a DICE 'type' system?

If that is the case, does anyone have a set of instructions for de-installing the ILP and reverting the car to OEM standard with the CD changer? I had mine professionally installed and have no instuctions for what was done. I do know there were a couple of wiring changes in a connector in the trunk, but not which ones and what connector.

If I can revert to OEM then at least I have a baseline to go forward from.

There's a few here under "Stereo": Xoutpost.com - Xoutpost.com x5tips.htm

Tom,

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I have the 'Quadlock' wired in version using cabling in the trunk and not the 3-pin/6-pin CD changer wiring.

Densions website no longer has the old instructions available (apache error on their old.dension.com website).

I'll keep looking to see if the interwebs has any site with the instruction set as well. I might get lucky!! At some point I'm going to have to revert the wiring to OEM anyway, so I need to get on with this.

Thanks again.

OK, so no surprise, but Dension have failed to respond (due by the 25th according to their own system) to my ticket.

Has anyone got the Quadlock wiring diagram so I know which wires to put where and revert to OEM before changing to whichever DICE system that works with the iPhone4?

We use a different harness here, but no rewiring should have had to been performed to mate the R40 Quadlock to your radio, simply remove the connector and all should be fine.

Tom,

I thought so too, but I remember that the guy who installed it had to insert a short extension harness and then physically remove wires from the OEM connectors to the new Dension Quadlock extension connectorse wires around in order to allow the phone audio to still work and that meant moving wires from the OEM loom over to another position. I had an intermittent audio fault a few months later and BMW traced it to the quadlock wiring changes and pins having not been correctly re-inserted by the installer - who of course did not want to know and has long since disappeared so I can't even ask them now.

I guess I'll have to try to get a 'pin out' from BMW and then match it.

I think your new systems just use the wiring for the CD changer rather than the add on plugs etc to the radio module itself. In my install at present the CD changer is still plugged in but does nothing.

Thanks

Richard

Richard,

You might be referring to the NAV voice/Bluetooth audio leads (single pair) that go into the 12-pin subconnector of the Dension harness. This will need to be removed and reinserted into the same positions of the stock BMW Quadlock.

Tom,

That sounds right now you come to mention it - I seem to remember some comment about Sat/Nav and Bluetooth not working when he first installed the kit and he made a couple of calls to find what the problem was and the answer was to move a couple of wires. I'll track em down and see what it all lokks like.

Many thanks for the help

Richard