[doc$holliday]

Hi all, I'm new to this board and my 2003 M5! I have been a long time Z3 owner and member of the Roadfly forum for the roadster but I can see that I'll be spending all my time here from now on!

Ok, so my M5 has an XM radio that was installed shoddily by a prior owner. I say shoddily because, as both an electrical engineer and a audio fanatic, I can't condone twisting wires together and throwing a little tape around them as a way to splice into the factory wiring. There is a large amount of alternator whine noise filtering into the system. I've read up on this forum a bit already using the search and branching off to places like bmwtips.com.

On to my question to the board: Since the stock Alpine 6-disc CD changer (non-mp3) has a coaxial type cable on it, how does that interface to the little black factory connector? Am I missing an intermediate cable? Looking at RealOEM.com shows a diagram for a DSP-version CD changer connection cable:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DE93&mospid=47592&btnr=65_1147&hg=65&fg=10

part #65128360756
anybody know if that's what I need to put this back to stock operation? The changer co-ax cable currently goes into the Blitzsafe converter box which then is (shoddily) tapped into the stock connector.

Thanks in advance for your help,

 

[Blockdoc]

Hi all, I'm new to this board and my 2003 M5! I have been a long time Z3 owner and member of the Roadfly forum for the roadster but I can see that I'll be spending all my time here from now on!

Ok, so my M5 has an XM radio that was installed shoddily by a prior owner. I say shoddily because, as both an electrical engineer and a audio fanatic, I can't condone twisting wires together and throwing a little tape around them as a way to splice into the factory wiring. There is a large amount of alternator whine noise filtering into the system. I've read up on this forum a bit already using the search and branching off to places like bmwtips.com.

On to my question to the board: Since the stock Alpine 6-disc CD changer (non-mp3) has a coaxial type cable on it, how does that interface to the little black factory connector? Am I missing an intermediate cable? Looking at RealOEM.com shows a diagram for a DSP-version CD changer connection cable:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DE93&mospid=47592&btnr=65_1147&hg=65&fg=10

part #65128360756
anybody know if that's what I need to put this back to stock operation? The changer co-ax cable currently goes into the Blitzsafe converter box which then is (shoddily) tapped into the stock connector.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Hi Sean!
Welcome to the "Board"!! A couple clarifications before the M5 audio experts (not me) jump in....

1. I also have a 2003. You SHOULD have the M-Audio....do you in fact have this? This is important because different MYs used one of two different connections. The DSP systems (at least on mine) do not necessarily use the coaxial type cable, rather a 3-pin and a 6-pin connector.

2. When you say "back to stock", do you want to remove the XM radio completely and go back to the stock CD changer alone?

A little more clarification will be helpful to those of us trying to help:1:

Cheers,
Brian

PS.-I agree with twisting wires...yuck (mine are soldered and heat wrapped)

PSS. Pictures of your beast are MANDATORY when you have time:haha:

 

[DouglasABaker]

2003's don't use the coaxial connecter - they use a 3 pin connector for power/ground/ibus and they use a 6 pin connector that is not fully loaded for the signal.

The signal (R+/L+/Common) goes into the stock radio harness and connects via the white connector of the radio wiring harness carrier.

The picture you reference is for the "conversion" harness - if you want to replace the digital coax w/ the 6 pin connector I referenced above.

d-

 

[Vindicator]

You should just be able to pull out the 6 pin connector and put it back in the CD changer along with the 3 pin power cable.

That is of course unless someone has cut the ends off :biggrinbounce:

I would recommend replacing the XM module with a OEM BMW Sirius module. It is completely stock and requires no cutting or splicing. Just plug and play.

Sirius's programming is also MUCH MUCH better in my opinion.

 

[xr4tic]

I have a similar question - I'm looking to get rid of DSP, so I need to get the analog cable from the CD Changer to the Radio.

It's been mentioned that people *think* 65-12-8-364-756 is the part number I need, but I can't seem to find anyone who has confirmed it. I have the older style radio with round terminals, and I need to make sure I get the proper cable

Has anyone done this? can anyone confirm?

 

[mz3stelios]

I have a similar question - I'm looking to get rid of DSP, so I need to get the analog cable from the CD Changer to the Radio.

It's been mentioned that people *think* 65-12-8-364-756 is the part number I need, but I can't seem to find anyone who has confirmed it. I have the older style radio with round terminals, and I need to make sure I get the proper cable

Has anyone done this? can anyone confirm?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DE91&mospid=47550&btnr=65_1147&hg=65&fg=10

here is the number 2 for you

i take the same and is the old style cable (bm24 and not bm 54)

i have m audio my car is 6/2001 and i have upgrade bm54/cd changer (oem) with mp3 / mk4 .. and i use adaptors cable for bm54 and the numpber 2 for cd changer to bm54 the cocxial cample no need any more

 

[doc$holliday]

Wow, thanks for the quick replies and also the welcome! I can see this board is going to be great.

Also, now that I've re-read my post with these replies, it's obvious I could have done a much better job explaining my setup and situation. I only have a moment here at work now so I'll add to this later when I can actually get back in the trunk and check it out again.

1) I have M-audio, subs and DSP amp are present.
2) I was planning on taking the XM radio completely out of the system at this time, since I don't use satellite radio and I can always put it back later (and much better at that).
3) The Alpine CD changer has only one single cable protruding from it, which is what I took to be the co-axial style cable and connector (round). I can go back and count the pins in that later.
4) Since the round connector coming from the CD changer goes into the Blitzsafe box now, and clearly wouldn't mate up directly with the little 3-pin black factory connector, I assumed I was missing an intermediary cable. Perhaps I need to get back in there for more than 5 minutes and verify all this. I didn't see an obvious way to plug the CD connector into the amp or anything but I'll check again.

Thanks all!
SP

 

[xr4tic]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DE91&mospid=47550&btnr=65_1147&hg=65&fg=10

here is the number 2 for you

i take the same and is the old style cable (bm24 and not bm 54)

i have m audio my car is 6/2001 and i have upgrade bm54/cd changer (oem) with mp3 / mk4 .. and i use adaptors cable for bm54 and the numpber 2 for cd changer to bm54 the cocxial cample no need any more

Do you remember which part number? it lists 3 different ones. I'm assuming 65128364756 is correct, but I'd like to know for sure before I order it, lest I get stuck with a $50 part I can't use (local dealer price)

 

[DouglasABaker]

Your CD Changer has 2 plugs coming out of it. Guaranteed one is a fully loaded 3 pin plug w/ red / white / brown. The other is either a 6 pin harness w/ 3 pins (analog DSP) or a round black cable (digital DSP). btw - the round cable doesn't have pins, so don't bother counting

If it doesn't have either of these latter 2 plugs then it isn't connected and can't provide audio...

If you have a round cable coming out of your amp it will plug directly into a small silver nub on the amplifier.


d-

 

[DouglasABaker]

Do you remember which part number? it lists 3 different ones. I'm assuming 65128364756 is correct, but I'd like to know for sure before I order it, lest I get stuck with a $50 part I can't use (local dealer price)

Dealer won't let you order it without paying first? If he will, then order it, and when it shows up make sure it has a black 6 pin connector (w/ 3 pins loaded) on one end and a 12 pin connector (w/ 3 pins loaded) on the other...

d-

 

[xr4tic]

My experience with dealerships is usually special order stuff needs to be paid in advance. I can always ask I guess.

It's actually only 10 pins on the radio side, not sure if it would be 3 pins or 5 loaded.

http://www.x5world.com/articles/x5/stereo/9527-bmw-x5-radio-module-amp-information.html

 

[DouglasABaker]

Oops, sorry - I had you confused with someone with a BM53 (with the flat pins).

In any case, you could put the pins into your existing harness, so it doesn't matter.

d-

 

[doc$holliday]

I knew I wasn't crazy...

Finally got a chance to revisit my CD changer this weekend...and I wasn't just imaging how it was setup! I think the reason must be that this isn't the stock BMW CD changer? Hence the difference in cabling seen here:


and the Blitzsafe adapter (BMW/XM DMXPIO.V1DSP) and nasty wire connections seen here:



So, since there is no direct way to plug this CD changer back into the stock connections without purchasing some sort of adapter (?), perhaps my best best is to decide where I'd like to officially take the sound system and start sort of from scratch. I'd like MP3 functionality so am considering one of the many Aux input solutions that members have posted either here or at BWMtips.com, or else I could buy the Alpine changer w/ MP3 ability and get the adapter for that. From what I've read, though, that solution has some serious lag time to reading files? And some quirks on its numbering system up on the display?

Thanks again to all,
Sean Paul

 

[xr4tic]

Definately not stock, did they cut any of the connectors? the blue/red/brown wires look like the power wires, and where the purple RCA cables are, looks like it might be the audio.

 

[DouglasABaker]

Finally got a chance to revisit my CD changer this weekend...and I wasn't just imaging how it was setup! I think the reason must be that this isn't the stock BMW CD changer? Hence the difference in cabling seen here:
<pic deleted for space>

and the Blitzsafe adapter (BMW/XM DMXPIO.V1DSP) and nasty wire connections seen here:

<pic deleted for space>

So, since there is no direct way to plug this CD changer back into the stock connections without purchasing some sort of adapter (?), perhaps my best best is to decide where I'd like to officially take the sound system and start sort of from scratch. I'd like MP3 functionality so am considering one of the many Aux input solutions that members have posted either here or at BWMtips.com, or else I could buy the Alpine changer w/ MP3 ability and get the adapter for that. From what I've read, though, that solution has some serious lag time to reading files? And some quirks on its numbering system up on the display?

Thanks again to all,
Sean Paul

You aren't the Sean Paul, are you? The famous singer? Cause if you are, you buy the parts and I'll install them free for you...

Ok, seriously - there is nothing stock about anything in any of those pictures except for the 3 pin power harness to the CD Changer.

The CD Changer is aftermarket, hence the DIN cable (looks like a coax but has the round end) and the blitzsafe. Alpine does make the stock changer, but that isn't it. Nor is that Pioneer box (can't read the label) anything related to stock.

Without seeing the rest of your system it is hard to say what can and can not be done. I assume you still have the stock headunit, radio module, and Nav? If so, then depending on what that Pioneer is, you best bet is probably to get an Intravee II for mp3.

Post a few more pics of the back left of your trunk (with specific focus on the connections) and we'll see if we can't get you some reasonable recommendations.

d-

 

[xr4tic]

The Pioneer looks to be an XM tuner.

How is it hooked up?

Since you have an 03, you might have the sirius-module ready tuner, then I'd suggest getting the factory sirius tuner module and cd changer, check out http://www.bimmernav.com/ for some options.

 

[doc$holliday]

you guys are good...

I can see clearly that I'll need to be much more precise in my descriptions to this board - you guys are good!

Yes, those are the stock 3-pin and 6-pin connectors, carrying power and audio, respectively. The purple RCA's are spliced into the audio lines. Here is a pic showing a closeup:
<a href="http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k54/rooster7777/?action=view&current=6pincloseup.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k54/rooster7777/6pincloseup.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

XR4TIC is right - that's a Pioneer XM tuner (GEX-FM903XM). This was all done by the original owner and I don't mind keeping the XM tuner handy with the Blitzsafe, in the event I want it in the future, but right now I am not subscribing to any satellite radio and am instead interested in eliminating the alternator whine (which is being induced into the system due to this whole XM mess in there) as well as upgrading system functionality to get some MP3 capability (either through CD changer or an Aux connector in front for my ipod). I currently have the factory stock M-Audio setup with DSP amp, subs, tape deck behind LCD, DVD-based GPS Nav (MKIV i think?).

Here's another pic I took of the whole shebang:
<a href="http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k54/rooster7777/?action=view&current=GPSandXMtuner.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k54/rooster7777/GPSandXMtuner.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Finally, no I am not "the" Sean Paul as in the Jamaican rapper. However, those are my first and middle names and given the hip-hop culture here in South FL (Miami/Fort Lauderdale), that nickname was given and stuck a few years ago when I moved down from Chicago.

Thanks,
SP

 

[DouglasABaker]

I can see clearly that I'll need to be much more precise in my descriptions to this board - you guys are good!

Yes, those are the stock 3-pin and 6-pin connectors, carrying power and audio, respectively. The purple RCA's are spliced into the audio lines. Here is a pic showing a closeup:

Don't take this the wrong way, but that is the worst connection I've ever seen into an audio wire, and could very well be causing some alternator whine itself.

XR4TIC is right - that's a Pioneer XM tuner (GEX-FM903XM). This was all done by the original owner and I don't mind keeping the XM tuner handy with the Blitzsafe, in the event I want it in the future, but right now I am not subscribing to any satellite radio and am instead interested in eliminating the alternator whine (which is being induced into the system due to this whole XM mess in there) as well as upgrading system functionality to get some MP3 capability (either through CD changer or an Aux connector in front for my ipod). I currently have the factory stock M-Audio setup with DSP amp, subs, tape deck behind LCD, DVD-based GPS Nav (MKIV i think?).

Best bet for getting rid of alternator whine is to tap into the factory power/ground leads for your XM and your CD Changer assuming they don't draw more than an amp or so. If they draw more you'll want to find a way to get your ground back to the factory location.

Yes, you have MK4. You can probably use an aux input, but I'd need a closeup of the big black harness into the radio module (silver box on the left) to be sure. If there are any extra plugs they would be needed to

Do remember that any aftermarket Ipod integration will replace your CD Changer - they basically emulate it on the IBus and take over the audio connections.

Finally, no I am not "the" Sean Paul as in the Jamaican rapper. However, those are my first and middle names and given the hip-hop culture here in South FL (Miami/Fort Lauderdale), that nickname was given and stuck a few years ago when I moved down from Chicago.

Thanks,
SP

Guess you aren't getting that free install

Any other questions, let me know - always happy to help...

d-