How-To: E86 CD changer cables for bluetooth

Benderloch · Post by **Benderloch** » Sun Feb 14, 2021 8:46 pm

Hi All
I’ve just fitted this Bluetooth unit to my coupe and thanks to this excellent thread it was very straightforward. Once it was connected I sat in the car and connected to my phone. The problem started when I tried to select CD on the radio. It would stay on CD for a few second ( no sound) then switch to Aux. I knew I had a iPod cable in the glove compartment and thought this may be the problem so I removed the radio with in intention of removing this iPod cable. Once the radio came out I discovered a xcarlink box tucked in there. I assume I will need to remove the wiring for the xcarlink and return the CD changer wiring. Any suggestions and direction would be great.

Thanks

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Mon Feb 15, 2021 11:09 am

Benderloch wrote: ↑Sun Feb 14, 2021 8:46 pm Hi All
I’ve just fitted this Bluetooth unit to my coupe and thanks to this excellent thread it was very straightforward. Once it was connected I sat in the car and connected to my phone. The problem started when I tried to select CD on the radio. It would stay on CD for a few second ( no sound) then switch to Aux. I knew I had a iPod cable in the glove compartment and thought this may be the problem so I removed the radio with in intention of removing this iPod cable. Once the radio came out I discovered a xcarlink box tucked in there. I assume I will need to remove the wiring for the xcarlink and return the CD changer wiring. Any suggestions and direction would be great.

Thanks

Does sound as though you need to return the CD player wiring to stock and remove the xcarlink. The selection of CD should hopefully then default to your new BT cable rather than switching over.

Benderloch · Post by **Benderloch** » Mon Feb 15, 2021 4:24 pm

inkey$ wrote: ↑Mon Feb 15, 2021 11:09 am
Benderloch wrote: ↑Sun Feb 14, 2021 8:46 pm Hi All
I’ve just fitted this Bluetooth unit to my coupe and thanks to this excellent thread it was very straightforward. Once it was connected I sat in the car and connected to my phone. The problem started when I tried to select CD on the radio. It would stay on CD for a few second ( no sound) then switch to Aux. I knew I had a iPod cable in the glove compartment and thought this may be the problem so I removed the radio with in intention of removing this iPod cable. Once the radio came out I discovered a xcarlink box tucked in there. I assume I will need to remove the wiring for the xcarlink and return the CD changer wiring. Any suggestions and direction would be great.

Thanks
Does sound as though you need to return the CD player wiring to stock and remove the xcarlink. The selection of CD should hopefully then default to your new BT cable rather than switching over.

Hi
Removed the xcarlink unit, still not connecting.

: 55BD61F4-6A67-402E-B7D9-F313FABC49B7.jpeg (85.62 KiB) Viewed 79 times

This is the head unit plug with the plug that was connected to the xcarlink box. Not sure if there should be an other cable somewhere for this to connect to.
I also have a CK 3100 parrot fitted which works perfectly, however could this be an issue with what I’m trying to do.

Benderloch · Post by **Benderloch** » Tue Feb 23, 2021 1:21 pm

I replaced the cable harness from the head unit to the junction block and all is working properly. It appears that when the xcarlink unit was fitted this harness was also changed to accommodate the new unit. Result

Mau · Post by **Mau** » Tue Feb 23, 2021 1:36 pm

inkey$ wrote: ↑Wed Dec 02, 2020 7:26 pm
Weston Matt wrote: ↑Wed Dec 02, 2020 6:57 pm Hi inkey$ What hifi have you got? I notice on Amazon it says not with DSP. I don’t know if that’s just with Mini though?.
I have the 10 speaker non-dsp hifi. Literally two cable blocks to attach. I *think* there's a DSP version of this dongle with additional plug, but may have imagined that.

Brilliant bit of kit for the money these Bluemusic modules. I have them both in my '03 - DSP-equipped - roadster, as well as my '08 - non-DSP - coupe.

The rumor has it (but admittedly the rationale for the rumor is not entirely clear) that DSP issues could arise only with the trunk-installed Bluemusic modules, as inkey$ has just installed.

These modules however also come as a direct plug for behind the head unit (with different connectors than the trunk ones). DSP issues do not exist with the ones mounted directly on the head unit. My '03 roadster is the living proof of that, so are many examples on the German forum (www.zroadster.com).

Also, these modules come as versions with a mic attached, as well as without. So if you do not have an OEM mic, you could order a Bluemusic module with a mic (albeit that the phone buttons on your MSFW button will not work; the Bluemusic module with a mic only transfers in- and outcoming sound via Bluetooth, no more than that). If you are considering a Bluemusic module WITH a mic, I would definitely recommend the module installed directly behind the head unit, as this makes the wiring of the mic easier.

Should you decide to pursue the head unit route, do not forget that you need to pull the fuse from the CD changer.

Post by **srhutch** » Tue Feb 23, 2021 11:25 pm

The original DSP was optical which is why there is an issue and adapter is required at changer end. At some point (pre facelift) this was changed to analogue DSP which then does not require an adapter.

sharif · Post by **sharif** » Thu Feb 25, 2021 10:12 am

I purchased a GROM USB3 with the BT attachment (Which looks identical to the blue music one - except the wiring goes into an auxiliary cable as opposed to the cd changer cables).

The GROM worked great and recently appears to have packed in. The USB function doesn't work nor the bluetooth. From reading other reports online, a number of people have said their GROM units have failed after about 2 years of use.

I don't want to keep changing this every 2 years. Does anyone have any recommendations for the best bluetooth kit available purely for streaming music?

I was thinking to just get the bluemusic one but have also read a lot of reviews stating they have stopped working after a short while.

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Thu Feb 25, 2021 1:37 pm

Bluemusic one is cheap enough to buy two or three in reserve. So far, so good with mine although its relatively young still. Cant understand why it would pack in though, as it's a simple enough powered attachment.

Cant recommend it enough actually. I have OEM mic in the car and when a call comes in or goes out, the music stops, the nav screen flips up and I can answer from the wheel.

sharif · Post by **sharif** » Thu Feb 25, 2021 7:52 pm

inkey$ wrote: ↑Thu Feb 25, 2021 1:37 pm Bluemusic one is cheap enough to buy two or three in reserve. So far, so good with mine although its relatively young still. Cant understand why it would pack in though, as it's a simple enough powered attachment.

Cant recommend it enough actually. I have OEM mic in the car and when a call comes in or goes out, the music stops, the nav screen flips up and I can answer from the wheel.

Thanks for your feedback! I'm trying to explore if GROM will repair or replace the existing unit. Failing that, I may go for a bluemusic one!

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