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A few people have commented on how the microphone for the Bluetooth phone kit is on the wrong (passenger) side of the car in the US. A few others have moved it to the correct side. I decided to do just that yesterday and thought that I would post some pics. It's a pretty easy mod and I hope that it is just as easy to follow along.
1. The first step is to remove the trim piece that covers the microphone (the one in front of the switch pack. To do this, simply run a spudger or small flathead screwdriver between the trim piece and the headliner. A small amount of prying may be necessary, but not so much that you would damage either piece. The microphone itself is mounted to this piece. It is simply held in place by a small tab. Release the tab and pull towards it then up. You will also want to remove the wire that connects to the microphone
2. The next step is to remove the holder underneath the trim piece. This is the plastic part that also houses the switch pack. It is held in place by two star shaped screws (I forget what they are called) and six tabs. After removing the two screws simply push the tabs toward the middle of the console and pull down.
3. After you have lowered the switch pack, simply re-route the cable to the left side of the piece. I routed it through the larger hole in the photo to ensure that the wire was long enough to reach the microphone without being too tight.
4. Now it's time for re-assembly. Re-mount the switch pack by sliding the switch side in first, making sure that the front tabs catch the ring above the headliner. Snap in the six tabs around the rest of the piece and replace the screws. Plug the wire into your newly right-sided microphone and snap the trim piece back into place.
Don't forget to check to make sure everything works before you motor again! Enjoy!
Schatzy62 posted a video down the page a little bit (post #34) that details how to do this mod. I've gone ahead and posted it up here for everyone's convenience. Thanks Schatzy!
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Last edited by COOP310; 02-25-2009 at 02:17 PM.
Reason: Added video by Schatzy62
is there a way to simply turn up the gain on the microphone, or to get a better microphone? that would prolly be more effective than just moving it a few inches.
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Gary
'07 Mini S Coupe (the ripper)
Coop310... Many thanks. Took care of this problem this morning. Your photos and instructions were perfect.
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'07 Mini S - LOADED .. Sticker Price $35,050.00. Mach V Springs.
'97 Porsche 911 (993) Cab
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'06 BMW 530I / '07 BMW 328I
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is there a way to simply turn up the gain on the microphone, or to get a better microphone? that would prolly be more effective than just moving it a few inches.
I haven't noticed anything in the NAV setup menus, so I doubt it. Seems like installing a new mic would be much more work than changing location.
I think it isn't so much the few inches that make the difference, rather the orientation of the opening in the housing.
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Robin Casady Bombadil: 2007 MINI Cooper S, R56, Pure Silver, LSD, Wood Shift Knob, Rota Slipstream 16x7, NAV, HIFI...
A quick post...
I did this 2 weeks ago by only removing the cover part. I didn't need to remove the holder under the trim piece. It took 3 minutes to do and I'm no longer repeating every sentence twice when talking to people. If you or someone you know has small fingers you don't need to do anything but pop off the cover piece (no tools required) and re-route the wire. It's worth the 3 minutes it takes to do this and kind of boggles me now why the dealer/VDC/Oxford can't take the 2 minutes to do it themselves.
Question: How do you remove the mic from the wire?
It's a connector clip. Just use a small blade screwdriver and some finesse to work it out, it will come, just takes some patience.
Moving the mic makes a difference
Good Luck
Wow, great little free mod. People were complaining that I sounded so far away. Did this last night and what an improvement. Thanks for taking the time to write it down so we could do this so easily.
Now, if i could take care of the "Phonebook is empty" message ...
How do you reroute the mic wire to the driver's side without removing the front cover? I don't want to mess with removing the 2 allen screws in the front piece as they're way deep in there. The wire seems too short to reroute without removing that front plate piece.
__________________ April 07:MCS SS/B/Tuscan Beige/Cream colorline interior/Manual/Conv Pkg/Premium Pkg/17" Flame Spoke/LSD/Chrome Line/English Oak/Xenon/HiFi/Anthracite Headliner. African Blackwood/Amboyna burl inlay shift knob and ebrake handle by Robin Casady (see my gallery) 19mm H-sport rear asb, Bridgestone Potenza G019 Grid non-RF tires. HTC Incredible phone.
How do you reroute the mic wire to the driver's side without removing the front cover? I don't want to mess with removing the 2 allen screws in the front piece as they're way deep in there. The wire seems too short to reroute without removing that front plate piece.
it's easy, ijust did it!
Just reach one finger in through the hole that will eventually have the wire running through it, and you can do it all without having to remove any screws.
It's a connector clip. Just use a small blade screwdriver and some finesse to work it out, it will come, just takes some patience.
Moving the mic makes a difference
Good Luck
OK so before I break something ... how much is on the clip for the wire? There seems to be a small clip piece and then a little larger part that runs partway down the side of the mic.
BTW thanks for the detailed tips... Even a NOOB like me to do-it-yourself mods is willing to try...
__________________ BlueBelle - 07MCSa, LiB/B, English Oak/Piano Black, Cream White Color Line, Wood Steering Wheel, Wood shifter, Tuscan Beige leather, and a bunch of goodies for the driver, Ordered 7/17, Birth 8/7, Officially adopted 9/24. ALTA Stealth Exhaust, ALTA Cold Air Intake, ALTA intercooler, extra zip courtesy of Jan (RMW tune with AP), almost complete black-out
I did this!! Super easy. I was able to remove the cover by hand, no tools! The mic 'box' pulled out pretty easy, but I was afraid to pull too hard on the wire clip... so I called my husband to help! He took a flap head screw driver and wiggled it out, and I threaded it to the other side and plugged it all back in. Very easy - and it really does make a difference in how others hear me. Before - a hollow- echo sound, After - they can't tell I am not on my phone!!
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I did this!! Super easy. I was able to remove the cover by hand, no tools! The mic 'box' pulled out pretty easy, but I was afraid to pull too hard on the wire clip... so I called my husband to help! He took a flap head screw driver and wiggled it out, and I threaded it to the other side and plugged it all back in. Very easy - and it really does make a difference in how others hear me. Before - a hollow- echo sound, After - they can't tell I am not on my phone!!
Congratulations!! your a mod pro now
Sooo was it just the small part at the top that he took out or did it include a little more on the side of the mic?
__________________ BlueBelle - 07MCSa, LiB/B, English Oak/Piano Black, Cream White Color Line, Wood Steering Wheel, Wood shifter, Tuscan Beige leather, and a bunch of goodies for the driver, Ordered 7/17, Birth 8/7, Officially adopted 9/24. ALTA Stealth Exhaust, ALTA Cold Air Intake, ALTA intercooler, extra zip courtesy of Jan (RMW tune with AP), almost complete black-out