How-To: E86 CD changer cables for BlueMusic Bluetooth

chanlon1 · Post by **chanlon1** » Thu Mar 16, 2023 5:50 pm

Had bought a bluemusic device off another forum member and installed it in my coupe today.
I tried to lift just the panels in the boot and wedge them with blocks, but just couldn’t get the space I needed. Ended up stripping all the panels and carpets in the boot. Having done it now, I’d imagine it would only take minutes to do it again, but was very straightforward.

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Thu Mar 16, 2023 6:15 pm

chanlon1 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 5:50 pm Had bought a bluemusic device off another forum member and installed it in my coupe today.
I tried to lift just the panels in the boot and wedge them with blocks, but just couldn’t get the space I needed. Ended up stripping all the panels and carpets in the boot. Having done it now, I’d imagine it would only take minutes to do it again, but was very straightforward.

it gets pretty tight back there, but glad you managed to sort it even if that meant stripping it all out.

chanlon1 · Post by **chanlon1** » Thu Mar 16, 2023 6:21 pm

inkey$ wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 6:15 pm it gets pretty tight back there, but glad you managed to sort it even if that meant stripping it all out.

Once you know how it’s attached, it’s simples taking it apart again.
I did find a torx screw, a pencil and some unused cable ties all under the carpets. Makes me wonder what was going on when the iPod kit was installed!!

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Thu Mar 16, 2023 6:24 pm

mattimus · Post by **mattimus** » Sat Apr 08, 2023 6:04 pm

Started the job of finding the cd changer connectors in my E86 today… instructions of how to get to into the hole in the bulkhead were spot on… but for the life of me I can not find the cables!
There are cables in there but even with decent tugs they’re not coming free and they’re not the same colours as those shown on this thread.
Has anybody found that these cables just aren’t there in their E86? Any other tips or advice?
Cheers, Matt

chanlon1 · Post by **chanlon1** » Sat Apr 08, 2023 10:01 pm

mattimus wrote: ↑Sat Apr 08, 2023 6:04 pm Started the job of finding the cd changer connectors in my E86 today… instructions of how to get to into the hole in the bulkhead were spot on… but for the life of me I can not find the cables!
There are cables in there but even with decent tugs they’re not coming free and they’re not the same colours as those shown on this thread.
Has anybody found that these cables just aren’t there in their E86? Any other tips or advice?
Cheers, Matt

I’ll ask the obvious. Does your car definitively have the CD prep option when you check the VIN details?

mattimus · Post by **mattimus** » Sun Apr 09, 2023 8:09 am

Sensible question - yes I think so… mdecoder.com gave me this -

chanlon1 · Post by **chanlon1** » Sun Apr 09, 2023 8:13 am

mattimus wrote: ↑Sun Apr 09, 2023 8:09 am Sensible question - yes I think so… mdecoder.com gave me this -

Looks like you have it okay. Did you remove the boot linings and carpets to access the little compartment where the cables should be, or did you cheat and just lift the vertical piece of carpet a couple of inches?

I’d suggest removing all as it will allow a better view. Doesn’t take too long and is a pretty simple job.

mattimus · Post by **mattimus** » Sun Apr 09, 2023 8:16 am

I cheated and propped up the linings a few inches… high enough to have a fairly decent rummage around… nervous that I won’t be able to reach much further even with the lining right out of the way.
Also nervous about removing trim, breaking clips etc!

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Sun Apr 09, 2023 8:55 am

If you have the changer prep then they should be in there somewhere. Try seeing if they are flat or taped against the metal of the bulkhead. Or if you can, get a phone camera up in there so you can see whats going on. Otherwise you might need the trim removing fully.

chanlon1 · Post by **chanlon1** » Sun Apr 09, 2023 9:07 am

mattimus wrote: ↑Sun Apr 09, 2023 8:16 am Also nervous about removing trim, breaking clips etc!

It’s not as bad as you think.
There are a few clips involved, but nothing great.
When you start to remove them you can only do it in a certain order. One piece of plastic I removed had a clip missing and it wasn’t obvious.
However, once it’s all removed it gives great access.
As above, shove your camera in there and take some photos or video to see what you have.

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Sun Apr 09, 2023 9:11 am

chanlon1 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 09, 2023 9:07 am As above, above your camera in there and take some photos or video to see what you have.

….and post the photos on here if you can, in case it helps others

mattimus · Post by **mattimus** » Sun Apr 09, 2023 4:04 pm

Yep not that bad… I didn’t bother completely removing the side and back panels as I had acres of space and the connectors practically jumped out and smacked me in the face - no idea how I didn’t find these before, they were right there!
Took a few images including just poking the camera around inside the hole in the bulkhead just in case it’s useful for anyone - they appear in reverse order.

mattimus · Post by **mattimus** » Sun Apr 09, 2023 4:09 pm

Just bought the 3,000th one of these!

chanlon1 · Post by **chanlon1** » Sun Apr 09, 2023 4:52 pm

mattimus wrote: ↑Sun Apr 09, 2023 4:09 pm Just bought the 3,000th one of these!

Great that you found it.....however your boot looks an absolute site with the carpets/trims half pulled out!
I bought one of those BlueMusic toys off a forum member bout a month ago....excellent piece of kit.

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