No AUX mode when auxiliary cable is plugged in the input

[emv]

Hey!

First time poster here Glad to be part of such a great forum!


I read through a bunch of articles about installing the auxiliary input on your own and wanted to do the same. I recently installed an XM radio and wanted to connect it to my factory headunit through an auxiliary input.

So today I went and picked up one from a local BMW dealership. Followed the steps on this forum and ran into a big problem. I'm hoping someone here will know what the problem is!

INFO:
- '04 BMW Z4 3.0i w/ Business CD - DSP (premium audio, no nav).
- Aux Input from BMW dealer (coin/ashtray version).

ISSUE:
- When the aux cable from my XM radio isn't plugged in the AUX mode shows up.
- When the aux cable is touching the aux input I can hear the audio from the XM radio coming through the right side speakers.
- When the aux cable is pushed all the way in the aux input I can hear everything perfect like it should be but only for a split second then the HU will switch to the radio.
- If the aux cable is push all the way in the aux input it makes the AUX mode become unavailable.

Things I've noticed:
- If the XM radio's power lighter plug isn't on then the AUX mode will show up if the aux cable is all the way in like it should be.
- Turning off the HU's DSP has no effect on the AUX mode working correctly or not.
- Turning the volume down when plugging in the aux cable in has no effect.
- Turning the input level down on the XM radio has no effect.


I have no idea what might be causing the problem other than a possible faulty AUX Input cable or HU... That doesn't seem very logical though.

Please help! I'd be very much greatful!

-I'll be calling the BMW service center tomorrow.

 

[ovrkll]

It has something to do with the XM radio. I had a similar problem when using a two-way radio with the AUX input, it would changover from AUX to the radio for no apparent reason. Disconnected the two-way, since it was just for a short cruise, and have used my MP3 player ever since without any problems whatsoever.

 

[emv]

Doh!

Problem solved!

Turns out all I needed to do was screw everything back in. I wanted to leave the vent unclipped and the ashtray console not pushed down all the way (screwed in) in case it didn't work... Well that was the cause of it not working!!

The only thing I can think of being the culprit of the AUX failure is that the power coming from the XM radio just wasn't being grounded correctly with everything still unscrewed... leaving me screwed (pun intended)!

Yes, I'm a noob. lol


I'll post some pictures of my XM setup soon (need to get my camera back from a friend).


Thanks orvkll for brainstorming with me!