Aux input problems

I installed the auxiliary input today, had no problems until I put it all back together. I went to click the mode button, like the instructions stated, to turn it on to the auxiliary input, but it will only switch between cd and radio. I took everything off again, and double checked that it was wired correctly and all pins made contact, and indeed it was. It is a bmw "buisiness cd". Did anyone run into similar problems?

Might need recoding at the dealership.

Do you expect this to be expensive?

Originally Posted by TAstronaught

... installed the auxiliary input today, had no problems until I put it all back together. I went to click the mode button ....

A few forum members have had a similar problem, such as:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=424380

Others have not reported back on how they resolved their particular problem.
If I remember correctly, one or two had the problem even when it was the simple case of just plugging the cable in directly to the radio harness.
Don't know how that can go wrong.

Make sure that a previous owner had not replaced the radio with one from an older Z3.
They look the same, but may not have AUX capability before about 2003.

With hindsight, you are probably now testing the mode switch before re-installing the radio.
AFAIK, if done right it's gotta work, but a defect in the cable is always posible.

Did you transfer the connector pins as instructed in the instructions? I can't remember what happened when I did it last summer, but I didn't move the pins as instructed and it didn't work right. Fuzzy memory, sorry I can't be more specific.

Just don't do like I did and break off one of the little pins. I ended up sawing the plastic connector in half to get it out, and yes I was pushing down on the release tab. It was so small I didn't think I could solder it. I ended up cutting off one of the existing wires in the factory plug that apparently isn't used and splicing it into the aux cable. In the end I could have just plugged in the aux connector and left off the factory one instead of trying to transfer the wires.

Back on topic, I have wondered how the head unit knows there is an aux cable installed.

Originally Posted by spencerb

Back on topic, I have wondered how the head unit knows there is an aux cable installed.

Apparently there is a resistor (or something of that type) across 2 of the pins on the radio end of the cable.

That is why there is all that tape wrapped around it at that end.

So once the cable is installed, the radio senses that 'load' even without a music device connected at the other end.

The original owner is my mother who I bought the car from, no radio has been changed. Funny thing is I also had a pin get stuck, it broke in the process of trying to remove it so I had to saw it in half and then drive all over town looking for the right pin, which I finnaly found at a buick dealership. Checked the wires again, and they are indeed in the correct spots. Radio simply wont switch to Aux.

You sure it's the correct cable, for Nav or no-Nav?

They have 2 different part nos., but look identical.

We really need one of the other owners who had the same problem to report back with what their solution was.

I'm looking for the same answer for a 04 x3. I built two aux input cords one with resistor and caps and one without neither one will show the aux input.

Originally Posted by Supercourse

We really need one of the other owners who had the same problem to report back with what their solution was.

Don't know if this might help:
Previously, when the Aux was not working, I could switch the radio to AUX mode and even adjust the Aux output level on the radio, but the Aux input never worked! (not even the various BMW technicians could figure this one out). I have the factory Aux input that is installed at the rear cigarette lighter socket (behind the centre console). I removed the HU and found the Aux cable's connector plugged into a socket (similar to the socket that plugs into the HU), but with no cable on the other side to go to the HU's socket. Removed the Aux connector and plugged it into the HU's socket. Problem solved.

Not sure if this will help or not, but mine won't go into Aux mode when I have my Griffin Tuneflex plugged in, but will when I go direct from my Ipod. Not sure why, but you might try hooking things up differently.