After extensive searching of the wiring diagrams, I haven't found any reference to a head unit that has a tape player in the dash in place of the CD player (Option SA663 I assume).

I know that there was some early N9 modules (the "radio/CD Player/amplifier" module) that didn't work with the aux. input due to software limitations. Maybe the tape player system you have falls into this category.

Is the unit original? What does decoding your VIN show? Is your tape player unit option SA663?

There's plenty of information from BMW about adding the aux. cable to option SA663 so it's probably safe to assume it should work. Time to check the wiring? :dunno:

Everything is OEM and original. It has crossed my mind that since the car was built only one month after they started having aux mode, that the factory might have been using up the last units of the old parts that didn't have compatibility. However, searching this forum and Google show lots of results for people with the same problem I have after adding the same kit -- I just haven't found a resolution yet. One person tried soldering a resistor in parallel, but I don't have a lot of faith in that solution.

Hmm. No S663 here. Is that my problem?

Options
S321A Exterior parts in vehicle color
S386A Roof railing
S403A Glass roof, electrical
S438A Fine wood trim
S441A Smoker package
S459A Seat adjuster, electric, with memory
S461A Electric seat backrest adjustment, rear
S473A Armrest front
S488A Lumbar support, driver and passenger
S521A Rain sensor
S522A Xenon Light
S534A Automatic air conditioning
S555A On-board computer V with remote control
S676A HiFi speaker system
S926A Spare wheel
S945A Dummy-SALAPA

Standard Equipment
S249A Multifunction f steering wheel
S302A Alarm system
S309A BMW LA wheel, star spoke styling
S354A Green windscreen, green shade band
S640A Preparation f tel.installation universal
S645A BMW US Radio
S661A Radio BMW Business (C43)
S692A Preparation, BMW 6-CD changer I-bus
S845A Acoustic belt warning
S853A Language version English
S876A Radio frequency 315 MHz
S992A Control of number-plate attachment

I would highly recommend the GROM bluetooth integrative system. It brings the whole audio system into modern day in vehicle entertainment and communications. Works well and many of us X5ers have this system. A very easy/simple plus and play add on.

Hi, I have been down this road and tried everything possible but have not been able to get the AUX kit to work with the tape head unit. I am of the opinion that it is not compatible...

One thought is to try and find a CD head unit and change the system out.

Never could get mine working either and I just checked and I don't have the s663 option so no wonder! ;( I imagine there are no analogue inputs to tap into without S663 ?

I'm not saying that it won't work without the SA663 option (although that may be the case :dunno: ) but that all the OE kit instructions state that the kit applies to cars with SA661, SA662 and/or SA663 option Radio or Radio/CD units (along with SA650).

Bdc101 has the SA661 option so you would think it would work but again, I cannot find any info. on the Radio/Tape Player unit that is in there in place of the Radio/CD Player and this is the important bit, as it's this unit that needs to have both aux. inputs pins and software/firmware to allow the aux. input to function.

Frustrating, this lack of info. :confused: Still looking....

This might be a fix. :D

2005-2006 BMW X5 Factory AM/FM OEM Stereo CD Player Radio - R-2121

That's a shame. I dinked around with it some more and double checked the video and the instructions, and I am sure I did everything right. Still no luck. Im past the 30 days of Pelican's return policy, but I'll still send them an email telling them they should not advertise that it will work for vehicles with the 6 disc changer.

Bummer.

Any update?