So, semi-installed an ipod Aux input from OUTMOTORING tonight and must say it sounds pretty good after adjusting EQ settings. I have the Harmon Kardon sound system factory installed and it is doing its job very well.

I do not know how but, i am still able to keep my CD changer installed at the same time and play it even though i am using the aux in the radio for my Ipod. Has anyone else been able to do this?

I have been told it is not possible to run both because the CD changer uses the aux input. Is this only on non-Harmon Kardon systems?

 

I'm not sure who told you that, but I don't see why you wouldn't be able to.

Take a look at this:


It's hard to read but CB891-B is for the CD Changer and CB891-C holds the AUX connector.

BTW, there is no difference in the HU between the H/K and non-H/K.

 

The CD Changer has it's own dedicated input, completely independent of the Aux input. Whoever told you the CD changer used the Aux input was simply wrong.

 

Oh, i see. Well i was under the impression from outmotoring.com that you had to remove the stock CD changer. It mentions this on their website....

http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...pod_mp3_hookup


Maybe i read it wrong. Regardless, the I-pod connection works great and is by far the best bang for the buck, i just thought it misleading if people are being told their CD changer won't work.

 

I also remember sending an e-mail to outmotoring about this and they said i would have to remove the CD changer jack because it uses the aux as well. They said there was no way to run them at the same time. Maybe, they meant an after-market CD changer?

Again, not trying to bust their b***s, they gave great service, just thought i might mention.

 

It's possible in some cases that you'll have to transfer pins from one connector to another when installing the Aux. That is the case for people with the factory Nav, because the pins that supply the voice directions need to be moved into the Aux input's connector.

However... to the best of my knowledge, the connector for the CD changer is completely separate from the Aux input connector on the back of the head unit.

Put it this way, I have it all running at the same time in my MINI, and I've installed (or helped install) Aux inputs in a number of other 1st Gen MINIs, and we never had to worry about disconnecting or losing the CD changer wiring.

On this particular issue, OutMotoring is wrong. I love OM too - good company with good service... but that doesn't guarantee 100% accuracy!

Note: Some early model HUs (esp. the ones that came in the 2002s) don't support the OEM Aux input, but other than that, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

This is WAAAAY over my head, but are you saying that if you have the NAV system, then you may not be able to concurrently have a CD changer? I have an iPod adapter and an in-dash CD player, but no 6-CD changer in the back. Wondering why? (I bought the car used.)

 

No, that's not a problem.

The issue is that all of the iPod adapters (except of course the simple Aux input method) operate by emulating a CD changer. That simply means you can't have an iPod adapter and a CD changer at the same time, without resorting to some very complex solutions (they exist, but not simple).

The CD changer has nothing to do with the Nav system. The only other issue is that if you have the Nav system, and you want to add the Aux input, you'll need to transfer 2 wires to the Aux input connector when you install it. Those 2 wires are what supplies the Nav voice.

 

Okay, I see. Thanks! That at least explains why I have no CD changer!

 

Well, keep in mind that the CD changer was never available from the factory. It was always a dealer-installed accessory (although you could buy it separately and install it yourself too).

So, even if you didn't have an iPod adapter, you probably wouldn't have a CD changer either, unless the previous owner chose to install one.

 

I had the specs sent to me from the dealer that sold the car, and it has "CD changer preparation" listed, and info on the CD changer was also included in the stack of owner's manuals I got. It's just one of those things I feel like is "missing" that I thought was included.

 

"Preparation" does not necessarily mean "Installed".

Almost every 1st Gen MINI, with a few exceptions, came with the CD changer preparation, which simply means that the wiring is already installed for it. You still have to buy the CD changer and plug it in.