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View Full Version : DIY Aux input installed today!!



JKBe30m3
08-20-2009, 04:11 PM
I read about this write-up on Bimmerforums.com and wasn't sure if it had been brought up on this board.

Anyways, the link to the Jeff Crowell's website has a walk through on the process. http://jcrowell.info/bmw-aux-in.html

On his site the radio that he modded was from an e36 (I think the radio model was a C43 IIRC). I have the same radio installed in my 94 540i and figured that I would give it a shot considering my CD changer doesn't work with my e36 radio and I wasn't going to spend $100+ for a module or the like. The whole project cost me $2.99 which was for the audio jack.

Parts list:

soldering iron
solder
audio jack ($2.99 at radio shack for a 2 pack, hell go in on it with a fellow bimmer owner and it will only cost $1.50 each)

cat5 or usb cable (doesn't matter as long as it has 3 wires in it, grab one that you have laying around the house)

The soldering part is kind of scary but this was my first time soldering on a small circuit board and it turned out alright.

Just follow along Jeff's DIY page and where you install it is up to you.

I put my jack in the blank filler cap by the ASC button. With the radio out you can feed the wire thru to the hole very easily.

Also, you have to put a cassette in the cassette player. Just find an old one and take the guts out.


The project went very smoothly and it works great. I hope the pictures make it into the post.

Justin

JKBe30m3
08-20-2009, 04:14 PM
I attached 2 pics but I can't find them anywhere. Any tips?

whiskychaser
08-20-2009, 04:21 PM
I attached 2 pics but I can't find them anywhere. Any tips?
I think you can only attach one pic at a time. Try attaching one and then respond with another attachment? Hope this is what you meant or I am going to feel rather foolish :(

JKBe30m3
08-20-2009, 05:46 PM
Hope this works

JKBe30m3
08-20-2009, 06:27 PM
another pic

repenttokyo
08-20-2009, 08:05 PM
I had one installed on mine for about 60 bucks, shipping included, by a guy in California. I have a radio with no CD controller.

3gunF1guy
08-21-2009, 03:35 PM
Wont work on my 93 525. the tape deck has a tape tentioner built into it and if you put in a blank tape or an adapter it kicks it out due to the fact that it can't tention the tape in the tape deck and it thinks it's a bad tape

Good idea though. Just wish it worked on my car.

Scorr

repenttokyo
08-21-2009, 04:20 PM
Wont work on my 93 525. the tape deck has a tape tentioner built into it and if you put in a blank tape or an adapter it kicks it out due to the fact that it can't tention the tape in the tape deck and it thinks it's a bad tape

Good idea though. Just wish it worked on my car.

Scorr

these don't use tapes at all...mine wires directly into the unit's radio amplifier and cuts down the radio signal when in use to replace it with whatever is lining in. If you want the contact info for someone who can get this done for you, just let me know.

My tape deck doesn't work PERIOD.

tim eh?
08-24-2009, 10:00 AM
looks very nice! I think tape decks are the $h1t. Even if they don't work anymore they are a brilliant anti-theft device!

3gunF1guy
08-24-2009, 12:45 PM
these don't use tapes at all...mine wires directly into the unit's radio amplifier and cuts down the radio signal when in use to replace it with whatever is lining in. If you want the contact info for someone who can get this done for you, just let me know.

My tape deck doesn't work PERIOD.

Yes, but if you notice for the aux input direction on this thread it requires a tape to be in the player. Yours aux input goes into the amp, and the instructions for doing that are in other places on this forum and other forums.

Scott

repenttokyo
08-24-2009, 01:34 PM
Yes, but if you notice for the aux input direction on this thread it requires a tape to be in the player. Yours aux input goes into the amp, and the instructions for doing that are in other places on this forum and other forums.

Scott

actually, there are no instructions for doing it to my deck. I have a KE-83zbm. The instructions provided in this forum and other forums are for other models, and they do not work on the KE-83zbm. I tried several times, but the way that the signal path is designed severely distorts the signal. This is why I sent it to a specialist, as the DIY instructions were no good at all.