Confusion Abounds

[Frank in Toledo]

Recently I bought and installed a Sirius Starmate 5 in my 2004 Cooper S with the H/K radio system. It soon became apparent that using the supplied FEA is not the best, so decided to get an FM Direct Adapter. Then the more I read here I see references to AUX plug on the H/K radio, and it might be hidden somewhere. I have not been able to find it.

Is there an AUX connector on my radio or not and where is it? I am going to have to pull the radio to hook up the FM Direct Adapter anyway am I going to find the AUX plug?

Next Question: does the FM Direct Adapter go behind what is referred to as the Head Unit in the dash?

[ppro]

I just installed the Auxiliary Audio Input. It was a single wire with a plug on one end that goes into the back of the radio. I simply removed the panel under the steering wheel, and the left upright next to the radio. The write-up is on my web site. The only other thing I removed was the glove box (5 screws) and made the hole for mounting the input. Then I put the glove box, upright, and panel under the steering wheel back together. 30 minutes.

Then I installed XM radio and iPOd and a few other things. They plug into the Aux Audio input. No FM Modulation here...

Click the picture for the write-up.

[Frank in Toledo]

Originally Posted by ppro

I just installed the Auxiliary Audio Input. It was a single wire with a plug on one end that goes into the back of the radio. I simply removed the panel under the steering wheel, and the left upright next to the radio. The write-up is on my web site. The only other thing I removed was the glove box (5 screws) and made the hole for mounting the input. Then I put the glove box, upright, and panel under the steering wheel back together. 30 minutes.

Then I installed XM radio and iPOd and a few other things. They plug into the Aux Audio input. No FM Modulation here...

Click the picture for the write-up.

Thanks for your excellent reply. Question: Does having the OEM navigation system effect this installation?

[ppro]

Originally Posted by Frank in Toledo

Thanks for your excellent reply. Question: Does having the OEM navigation system effect this installation?

It may - if there's something already plugged into the opening for the AUX then the wires need to be moved the socket that comes with the AUX.

Honestly, I would have a hard time without the factory service manual (TIS)

There's a lot of if's ands and buts with these cars.

[Eric_Rowland]

Originally Posted by Frank in Toledo

Thanks for your excellent reply. Question: Does having the OEM navigation system effect this installation?

Yes, the factory Nav uses a plug which encompasses the Aux-in pin. As ppro said, you just have to pull the connector from the aux-in and insert into the Nav connector. Great Bear has a writeup on it somewhere around here...

[Frank in Toledo]

Your help and advice was very valuable and made my job of installing a FM Direct Adapter very easy. The Sirius radio now works great with no static and better volume.

Thanks again for all your assistance.

[ppro]

Originally Posted by Frank in Toledo

Your help and advice was very valuable and made my job of installing a FM Direct Adapter very easy. The Sirius radio now works great with no static and better volume.

Thanks again for all your assistance.

Did you install the Aux Audio Input? What's the FM Direct Adapter?

[Minipapa]

I have 05 Mini with factory Nav. Installed the auxiliary per diagram in pins 3, 4 and 10, with the Nav in pins 2, 8, and 9. However, the factory radio does not recognize auxilary so I can't play my iPod. Has anyone run into this issue or know the solution? Thanks...

[Minipapa]

Never mind - had the CD changer plug!

[ppro]

Do you mean that because you have the 6-CD changer, you cannot use the Aux Audio Input?

Here's a drawing showing the pin out on the connector.