E46 Aux Install Pre 09/2002

Bmw E46 Aux Cable Installation
Bmw E46 Aux Cable Install
Bmw E46 Aux Cord
E46 Aux Adapter
Bmw E46 Aux Adapter
E46 Aux Diy

Friday 4th October 2013

I have two e46 from 2002. One has a 6 cd changer in the boot, and on this one I have spliced on an aux cable so the AUX works when the 6 cd input is selected on the head unit. The 6cd deck takes the power for the input, but the signal L and R comes from the aux device.
On the other car also 52 plate, I have the business cd head unit with mode button, but no 6 cd changer in the boot. What are my options for AUX install on this car, I don't want to have to buy a 6 cd deck just to be used as dummy. This HU has the mode button, not the CD button like the other car.
i've read varying things on forums and they're all a bit contradictory. Is it possible on the second car? As a diy?
Cheers

Saturday 5th October 2013

Upgrading OEM BMW E46 radio head unit with an AUX Cable: What draws many people to the older BMW models is the pure driving experience that cannot be replicated by modern cars, some even say by BMW themselves. The best way would be to grab a radio from a 2003 or newer E46 and then to install the factory auxiliary input kit. Better yet, a radio from a 2005 or newer E46 (09/2004 build) can play MP3 CDs ad well.

This kit adds an auxiliary input allowing addition of an iPod or other MP3 player. Includes all hardware needed for installation along with instructions. 3 Series built before 09/2002 do not have a head unit supporting auxiliary input. RE: Aux input cable DIY for E46 with mode button. I am not to sure, because mine still has a tape player. I think you still need to fool the HU so that he sees a CD unit is attached (it actually is, but you are just invading the audio signal and feeding the MP3/iPod analogue signal instead).

you can certainly wire in a proper aux cable in 03 and later head units. Best bet is to buy an aux cable (~£15 on ebay, a little more from dealer) and fit it into the back of your 52 plate. Hit the mode button and it will cycle the radio wavelengths, cd and hopefully, aux. If aux doesn't appear, buy an 03 head unit on ebay (~£90) and sell yours on ebay (~£70.
Hope that helps. If you Google the subject there is more clarification but the above is my story on an 02 plate.

Saturday 5th October 2013

Check the 'KW' (production week) of the radio, if it's lower than 30:02 (week 30, 2002) then it's unlikely to support the OEM Aux.
You can always install a CD Changer emulator Aux input, for example http://audiovisualworld.co.uk/connects2-ctvbmx002-...

Monday 7th October 2013

Check the 'KW' (production week) of the radio, if it's lower than 30:02 (week 30, 2002) then it's unlikely to support the OEM Aux.
You can always install a CD Changer emulator Aux input, for example http://audiovisualworld.co.uk/connects2-ctvbmx002-...

Thats what i was looking for, cheers. Pulled the unit out the other day and it says 10/02. I think from 09/02 they went to the later type head unit. Will check these numbers though, cheers.

Monday 7th October 2013

Slight hijack,
When I got my E39 540i (2003/'52') I noticed an iPod connector in the glovebox which was installed by BMW in January for the previous owner. I have the built Sat Nav/Analogue TV/Cassette head unit with a 6 CD changer and Nav box in the boot (unsure on system).
How would I switch this to the iPod function to make it work?

Monday 7th October 2013

Slight hijack,
When I got my E39 540i (2003/'52') I noticed an iPod connector in the glovebox which was installed by BMW in January for the previous owner. I have the built Sat Nav/Analogue TV/Cassette head unit with a 6 CD changer and Nav box in the boot (unsure on system).
How would I switch this to the iPod function to make it work?

This was done on my 330d before I got it. It had a Denon ice link or some rather for an ipod. I traced it back to the boot, and it was using the cables that should've gone to the 6 cd stack. the cd changer was just disconnected. Check in the back, and see if theres a loose connecter from the ipod interface. Unplug the cables from the cd stack and connect the ipod set of cabled directly to these.

Monday 7th October 2013

Slight hijack,
When I got my E39 540i (2003/'52') I noticed an iPod connector in the glovebox which was installed by BMW in January for the previous owner. I have the built Sat Nav/Analogue TV/Cassette head unit with a 6 CD changer and Nav box in the boot (unsure on system).
How would I switch this to the iPod function to make it work?

This was done on my 330d before I got it. It had a Denon ice link or some rather for an ipod. I traced it back to the boot, and it was using the cables that should've gone to the 6 cd stack. the cd changer was just disconnected. Check in the back, and see if theres a loose connecter from the ipod interface. Unplug the cables from the cd stack and connect the ipod set of cabled directly to these. Much appreciated

Monday 7th October 2013

Bmw E46 Aux Cable Installation

Hopefully a bit clearer this time round - there are two connectors to the cd stack (one for power, flatter one, and one for the data). Unplug these from the cd stack. If you have the loose cables from the Ipod link, plug these into the cables you removed from the cd stack. I think the Ipod ones will be the female.

Sunday 3rd November 2013

Hopefully a bit clearer this time round - there are two connectors to the cd stack (one for power, flatter one, and one for the data). Unplug these from the cd stack. If you have the loose cables from the Ipod link, plug these into the cables you removed from the cd stack. I think the Ipod ones will be the female.

Bmw E46 Aux Cable Install

Thanks for this, when looking at it today the wire from the aux seems to go to the headunit directly and not via the CD changer. There were a few un-used wires that i don't know what they clip to ad the CD changer ires were un-compatable with:

Bmw E46 Aux Cord

Thursday 12th February 2015

Hi all,
Sorry to bump an old post but i have a similar problem.
I have a 2003 e46 with the 16:9 nav unit. When you scroll through the modes there is no AUX function.
I purchased a cable which plugs into the wiring loom at the back of the headunit and re-wired in the boot so that when a blank cd is in the play you select CD-1 on the headunit and it will play the audio through the AUX input. The problem is the sound quality is terrible so im returning the cable to the seller.
Please can anyone advise what i can do to listen to music from my iphone? Its killing me!

Thursday 12th February 2015

A 2003 car will have Aux capability, but until you install the Aux wiring the source is not available.
The wiring has a resistor between L and R channels that is detected by the radio, plus a pair of small decoupling capacitors, here's the schematic
With Nav in a 2003 car you have SA 602/609, so the bottom option. The pin numbers are those of the extension cable that's behind the monitor.

Thursday 12th February 2015

Wow thanks for the fast response.
Below is the cable which was provided for me:
Below is the re-wiring i did in the boot to enable use through the CD multi changer.
Please teach me how to suck eggs and explain what your picture was above?

Thursday 12th February 2015

Provider told me to SWAP AUX-LR (ground) back to its original position and try that.
I haven't done this yet.

Thursday 12th February 2015

Ive changed everything back and also damaged one of the pins in the boot so no longer have the option for this Aux bypass method and also im not sure if i re-wired the l/r earth for the cd multichanger so by the sounds of it the only option for me is a new headunit.

Thursday 12th February 2015

That looks like ra