Build and install your own AUX Cable!

Oryx33 said:
So for those not inclined to build the cable from scratch (Don't really trust my soldering and wiring skills) where can one obtain a prefab cable online that includes most if not everything needed but still have the option to have it shipped to Canada. None of the websites listed thus far ship beyond Europe.
Click to expand...

You can buy the Mini aux kit from any BMW dealer in Canada for around $50. I bought mine while on a trip to the USA from a dealer for around $30.
The Mini part number for the aux jack is 82 11 0 153 367
I drilled a hole in the panel below the radio to install the jack (without the little aux-in label plate)
The whole job is about a half hour most of which was removing the center vent.
 
I have just finished using this post to work my way through and retrofit an AUX cable to my stereo. Happy to report that all is now working and sounding great!

Very helpful when someone shares their knowledge. Certainly helped me out loads. So a massive thank you to SK93 for taking the time to post this and all the additions make interesting reading when working through it. Almost all of the problems I come across were discussed at some point throughout the 14 pages!!!

Thanks for the help!
 
Well $@#! me running!!!

So I bought a 2008 3.0i about 2 months ago and am loving it so far - but I've always wanted an AUX port, and I thought it was odd that it didn't come with one being a 2008. (It's also very basic though, no sat nav, no CD changer, no computer, manual seats, no climate control, etc.) So I come across this post...

GREAT IDEA!

I get online and get capacitors and a nice quality 3.5mm jack. I get some shielded cable from work. I came up with an elaborate plan to run the female jack from that worthless little round thingy next to the ash tray (what is that?) up to the stereo for a nice finished look that wouldn't modify the car at all. I get home with all the parts and start looking things up - solder everything together. I then go out to the garage and get the vents and stereo out. The plug in the back I need has some wires in it but people said that was normal - sat nav or bluetooth or something. Then I notice there are 3 wires and they are all in the locations I need for the AUX jack.

Well that's not right....

So I stick my head under the dash and what do I see?!






IMG_20120522_192151.jpg



:|


There's not an epic enough facepalm picture on the entire internet that does this situation justice...



**I should note that I heard SOME Z's had the AUX port from the factory so when I bought it I felt around down there and it was smooth so I just assumed it didn't have it -- after all it had almost no other options... Turns out I was just feeling in the wrong place...**
 
Hi All

I've built and tested my AUX cable. Worked first time. Nice to use my GSCE Electronics skils again :)

IMG_0389Medium.jpg

I've cut down the stripboard now.

It has abit of a hiss on the cable is that normal?

Anyway I have a bluetooth kit. Does anybody know where I can get hold of the tiny pins that fit into the connection block?

Thanks all
 
Okay, I'm cursing a lot right now.

First the good news... I got the air-vents out in around five minutes. Reading all the advice on this forum about releasing those fiddly clips really paid off. Thanks all!!! :thumbsup:

So vents out and head unit out.

Next I turn to the cable I got from In-Car Tunes. I got the one with the circuit board fitted in-line.

Plug it in and - Hey Presto! - an AUX option appears on my MODE button.

So far so good.

Then I drill a hole in the panel beneath the head unit. All nice and neat and the cable socket fits through snuggly.

BUT - the socket isn't long enough to protrude all the way through the panel :(

Somehow, I have to reduce the thickness of the panel around my drilled hole. Or get a new cable with a longer socket (which I'd rather not do)

Any ideas anyone? :?
 
First time I have read of a problem with the length of the socket. I know with the BMW Mini aux it it would have been difficult to get the retaining nut on with the label plate so I left the plate off and no problem. Not much point to the little plate as you can't see it under there. Not sure if you have the label plate or not on you assembly.
 
fallingman said:
Okay, I'm cursing a lot right now.

First the good news... I got the air-vents out in around five minutes. Reading all the advice on this forum about releasing those fiddly clips really paid off. Thanks all!!! :thumbsup:

So vents out and head unit out.

Next I turn to the cable I got from In-Car Tunes. I got the one with the circuit board fitted in-line.

Plug it in and - Hey Presto! - an AUX option appears on my MODE button.

So far so good.

Then I drill a hole in the panel beneath the head unit. All nice and neat and the cable socket fits through snuggly.

BUT - the socket isn't long enough to protrude all the way through the panel :(

Somehow, I have to reduce the thickness of the panel around my drilled hole. Or get a new cable with a longer socket (which I'd rather not do)

Any ideas anyone? :?
Click to expand...

Hi, I had the same problem, I think there is a post on here somewhere about it.

Anyway what I did was drill hole about 10mm for the complete socket to fit through, then cut a nice neat piece of metal lRectangular) thin enough to mount the socket in and rivet that onto the panel with small pop rivets/screws ... obviously with the previously drilled 10mm hole in the centre. I even put a little "Aux" decal on it. Sorry I don't have pictures, good luck
 
Stromtech said:
First time I have read of a problem with the length of the socket. I know with the BMW Mini aux it it would have been difficult to get the retaining nut on with the label plate so I left the plate off and no problem. Not much point to the little plate as you can't see it under there. Not sure if you have the label plate or not on you assembly.
Click to expand...

Hi - thanks for replying. Sadly I have no label plate, so no room to be made for my short, short socket.
 
fixit man said:
Hi, I had the same problem, I think there is a post on here somewhere about it.

Anyway what I did was drill hole about 10mm for the complete socket to fit through, then cut a nice neat piece of metal lRectangular) thin enough to mount the socket in and rivet that onto the panel with small pop rivets/screws ... obviously with the previously drilled 10mm hole in the centre. I even put a little "Aux" decal on it. Sorry I don't have pictures, good luck
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. It's good to know I'm not the only one who's found this problem.

Sadly I'm no metal worker, so I'm wondering whether anyone here still has an AUX label plate they decided not to use and wouldn't mind selling to me? That way I could try fixit man's solution with a ready-made plate!
 
I've finished my cable now. Found spare pins to fit the connection on the stereo (Bluetooth installed) The hiss is gone. And I have the socket lenght issue described a few posts ago. Maplins must of changed the design. I will make a metal face plate aswell I think.
 
It seems nothing I do with this car can EVER go right...

Followed the instructions and created the cable, (to the letter) plugged it in... Nothing. No AUX to be seen :-(
 
Looking at those solder lumps you might have a dry joint. It's also possible you might have damaged the components from overheating if you used a high wattage soldering iron. Sorry, but faster and less hassle to buy a cable!
 
Thanks, I believe my capacitors are the wrong way around... The OP needs modifying to mention this... Both my +'s are onthe radio side... Which I think is wrong???
 
Well, no joy. Tried the capacitors both ways around, even Re-soldered the lot.

Just plain doesn't work, all ideas welcome. :-/
 
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