Well first test it, but there should be plenty of room for the ground loop isolator in the dash under the AC controls (there's a panel for access, 2007/08 cars, as stock, have the AUX port in that panel) You could rewire the connector, or just leave the end of the isolator loose in the ashtray, with the end of the AUX cable under the dash with the isolator

 

I ordered the same type of cable from Griffin:

http://www.amazon.com/Griffin-Noise-Reducing-iPhone-player/dp/B001RNNWHC

The isolator on the cable isn't that big, all I did was shorten the length of the cable

 

Morning!

I finished installing my radio auxiliary input kit from bavauto.com, part no. 82110142174 if anyone is looking because trying to search for it on the site is hit and miss.

Anyway, I'm experience the same problem many other folks are where the AUX options/functionality randomly disappears because of a short or something. http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-503868.html

So, I'm thinking I need a ground loop isolater. I've ordered this one from amazon.com. Couldn't find one at Best Buys, Radio Shack, or Fry's.

Everything looks so neat. I don't want that isolater thing on the outside of the dash.

So, what I'd like to do is take the ashtray back out and unplug the aux port from it. Connect the ground loop isolates to it, and then somehow make that plug fit in the ashtray how. OR cut the aux wire in half and somehow splice the ground loop isolater into it.

Any suggesting? Explicit instructions? I don't know much, ok, anything, about wiring this stuff.

Thanks!

See if this helps.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180804&highlight=z4+aux+in

 

Thanks, Ron. This might help. Now if I can figure out how the isolator works with it. I guess I'll google "make your own" and see what I get.

jman1975, the one that you ordered from griffin has two male ends. I'm using is this

But Psygnosis is right, I'll definitely test my equipment before I do any cutting.

 

Now if I can figure out how the isolator works with it.

I didn't have to use that.

 

I only have to use it if I want to be able to charge my iPhone and play it at the same time. If both the aux and power are plugged in, at random times, the radio goes from AUX to FM and AUX is no longer a Mode option until I turn the car off and back on again.

Everything I got, the mount, the aux input, the cable, are all so neat and tidy, I don't want that ugly GLI hanging out. :tsk:

 

I found this article but how do you know what wires to connect together?

http://www.diymybmw.com/e46/aux-input-cable/

 

LauraM

Did that ground loop isolator work for you? I've been having a similar problem.

 

Suggestions for Dashboard iPhone Mounting Stuff Needed

It did work perfectly. No more cutting out and the quality was still excellent.

I didn't want that box, even though it's only 2" or so long, and the cables hanging out after I went to all the trouble to install the BMW aux cigarette insert so I put it in the dash.

It might not have been the easiest solution but I found an abandoned mp3 aux cable in the house and cut off a piece about 6' long. I also bought a 3.5mm stereo male jack thing from Fry's. Don't you LOVE Frys!! And I enlarged the hole for the aux jack in the cigarette lighter insert to fit it. That wasn't too easy. I found I did the least damage if I taped around the hole and drilled from back to front.

Get this - I soldered! Yes, I did. First time. I soldered the wires from the 6" aux cable to the male jack and put the new male jack in the enlarged hole. I do think next time I use that solder gun I won't work on paper. That was probably a fire hazard. The the solder tool was a gun type that had lights and made powerful noises. I rock.

So, then I plugged the aux cable into the ground loop isolator and plugged the ground loop isolator into the aux cable connected to the radio. Zip tied it all nicely and crammed it into the console.

I did find if that if the connections weren't perfect, I heard only garbled music with no voice. Took a couple of tries. Just using electrical tape did not work.

Now, I need to figure out how to attach my iPhone mount to the dash. The dash is textured which is wrecking havoc with any adhesive product I've tried.
1. the double-sided tape with the product lasted 2 weeks
2. 3M wall saver peel off double-sided things didn't last 3 minutes
3. neither did standard double-sided sticky tape
4. neither did the double-sided sticky tape used for mounting trim on the outside of a car.

I'm stuck.

 

This isn't the cheapest of solutions, but might be the cleanest.

http://www.proclipusa.com/?sectionp...ar=2004&d_pcat=1&d_cat=NULL&have_holder=true&have_mount=false&p_pageid=1&dtype=

My friend has the proclip solution in his 328, and he loves it.

 

I saw that. I was thinking about buying their mount only and attaching my griffin iphone mount to it. I like the mount I have - it's sleet, easy in and out. If I can't find an adhesive that will work, I'll have to try this.

 

Finally finished this up. The ground loop isolator solved my problem.
To install it behind the dash
I took the female stereo plug out of the ashtray insert, plugged the isolator into it it,
plugged the male stereo plug of a regular mp3 cable into the female plug on the isolator,
cut the female plug off the end of the mp3 cable and soldered the wires onto a new female stereo plug from Radio Shack,
enlarged the hole in the ashtray insert,
installed the new female stereo plug into the ashtray insert.

RADIO < AUX CABLE < GROUND LOOP ISOLATOR < MP3 CABLE < NEW FEMALE STEREO JACK < ASHTRAY INSERT

and I got a new low-profile usb charger. Very neat and tidy.
It's also versatile - I can phones or use just a regular MP3 player, etc, I'm not tied to an iPhone other Apple product.

 

Laura, I use the ProClip mount for my iPod (in both Z's) and yes you will need a ground loop isolator when using power. I found this out on the Roadster several years ago and then again when I bought the MC.

With the proper iPod cable (sourced from Ebay for $15.00), you can use the Aux and charge the iPod...
I have it mounted in the same location on both cars.

Because I needed power for the cable to the ProClip mount, I ran the power lead to key switched fuse on the fuse block. This is so the device does not get power even when the car is off. Only when the key is ON. I put the isolator up inside the dash behind the lower dash cover.

If you remove the Aux cable from the ashtray, you can then keep the cable behind the dash, so only one cable from the mount is seen and it runs to the lower dash plate and into the dash.

Not saying you will want to do it this way, just some more ideas for you to contemplate.

See pics...

 

I use my Magellan iPhone windshield mount. Expensive ($99) at BestBuy, but great sound and no noise. Charges phone while in use.

Also boosts my gps chip on my iPhone 3GS but not needed on my iPhone 4.

 

Wow! VERY nice. Minimal, clean. I'll have to save a picture. I imagine when I've done with the "necessities" I'll start looking for "upgrades."

That's my daughters phone since I'm taking pictures with mine.... She needs to clean it.