[iPod] best way to get a wire from trunk to center console?

leobag · 08-15-2005, 08:20 PM

I am planning to use a BlitzSafe adapter to hook up an iPod to my CD changer cable (trunk). I want to have the iPod in the center console area so I will need to bring the iPod connector (wire) from the CD changer area to the center console. I have no clue how to do this... any advice?

Thanks+

blkongry · 08-15-2005, 11:04 PM

It's a totaly PITA... the carpet in these have a dense rubber back, and are molded tightly to the body. the best way to route it is under/alongside the center console, under the patch of carpet, and back under the back seat. It's the carpet that is the only hard part to get around. The best way is to snake a wire coat hanger down under there loop the end, tape on the wire you want to pull, and gently work it under the carpet. Don't pull up too hard on the carpet, or you will tear it.

Good luck!!

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Hmm, maybe I'm thinking of this wrong, but the other end of the CD cable is attached to the rear of the radio, right? So all you need to do is to cut the wire in the trunk, and then cut the wire behind the radio and splice them together? Or maybe the wire itself is orderable through BMW?

They are available:
65-12-8-360-966
65-12-8-360-967
65-12-8-360-968

not a cheap solution though. Maybe a used one from a wreck can be had...

Depending upon which CD changer you have. Are you using the unit that allows you to retain functionality of the CD Changer unit?

-Wayne

leobag · 08-16-2005, 07:27 AM

blkongry - noooooo! don't tell me its a PITA!

(damn!)

Wayne - I couldn't really find much info on those parts... they came up as parts for the euro e36's - is that right? Yeah, I have stock stuff and wanted to keep the wires intact (no splicing) so I can easily go back to stock if needed. I wouldn't mind getting an extra cable and messing with that, but i *think* the part number I am looking for is 65128369830 - but I have no clue on the price of that.

What were those part numbers you were referencing? How did you come up with them?

Thanks!
Leo

blkongry · 08-16-2005, 07:46 AM

Sorry, Man, but I got to be up front with you so you know what to expect... you can do some yoga, get your 'zen' going, build up a supply of tolerance, and then tackle the job. The hardest part is just getting things apart. The center consoles are very well design and tightly integrated... it's best to have an exploded view of the assembly before diving in so you know where all the fasteners are. But that's not the hardest part... it's that freakin carpet. Just take your time, don't force the wires through, work them on the end of the coat hanger, and you'll be fine. Just make sure you have a nice relaxing afternoon to work on it... it's not something you want to try and rush through... that'll just frustrate you. If you take your time and be patient, it will all come together nicely.

Oh, just to add my 2c's... if you are adding an Ipod and really want to make the sytem kick, you should probably revamp the whole system. although, if your system works like it is, and you are happy with it, then you are on the right track.

leobag · 08-16-2005, 08:09 AM

Thanks,

Yeah, I am actually fine with everything the way it is (I actually 'upgraded' the head unit to an in-dash CD43) and it sounds a lot better than my older C33 cassette head unit. Once I have an iPod intergraded, I will probably never listen to the radio/CD anyway.

Before going the trunk route, I am going to look into getting another CD Changer cable and shortening it to see if I can just go from the back of the head unit, down to the console. I don't know if I need more than one cable though... IIRC, there is one connecter coming out of the rear of head unit, and two connectors needed for the CD changer.

blkongry · 08-16-2005, 12:11 PM

Just for insight, a friend of mine wired up his ride with a killer amp and pumped it to the speakers. Then just ran a signal lead from the headphone output of his Ipod into some RCA jacks, split them on each side (to fill the front and rear inputs... essentially made a balanced stereo system of F/R right and F/R left), and plugged them into the inputs on the amp. It sounded phenomenal, and it was all controlled by the Ipod... no head unit, nothing. No one knew he had a system when he was gone from his car since everything was hidden... everything except a little plug in wire. There are all sorts of stuff you can do with a portable player, and if you aren't going to use the stock system at all, you can always leave it there and just bypass it.

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

If you are not using the factory unit in the rear, then your IPOD adapter should just simply plug into the rear of the head unit?

-Wayne

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by leobag
Thanks,

Yeah, I am actually fine with everything the way it is (I actually 'upgraded' the head unit to an in-dash CD43) and it sounds a lot better than my older C33 cassette head unit. Once I have an iPod intergraded, I will probably never listen to the radio/CD anyway.

Forgive me, which unit is the CD43?

-Wayne