I have to attach a wiring connector to the head unit wiring connector for my Bluetooth system. I don't want to go to the hassle of removing the head unit as I have the voltmeter and oil temp gauges between the downtubes which makes it more difficult to remove them (believe me I tried when I was trying to access the cigarette lighter to power my Valentine).
If I remove the drivers side knee bolster is there enough room behind the dash to un plug the wiring connector from the rear of the head unit and pull it free where I can work on it?
As another approach (and a lot easier than removing the head unit) is there enough room to access the rear of the head unit after removing the speedo unit?
Alan

 

I have not done it, but I have read some people can install the AUX input through the driver bolster access.

The bolster is easy to pull down, then peek in with a flashlight and see. Small hands will certainly be a help!

 

FWIW, if you use the 'pull from the top method' to remove the downtubes
(remove dash centerpiece retaining screw, pull out slightly - now downtubes can be 'squeaked underneath' to remove) the headunit is not bad to get to. Both I and a friend have Aux gauges, and while it's a royal PIA to put in Ian's circuit (since the lower access is blocked) the radio and toggle rack are easily removed.

 

So correct me if I'm wrong but by taking out the dash retaining screws and pulling the dash forward enough I can pull the downtubes UP and OUT (after removing their tork screws of course) without accessing the foam at the bottom.
Alan

 

i alway do that, taking anything else off is too much of a hassle

 

Yep - you actually just pull them FORWARD (toward you) and once they clear the dash you can pull them up. Just did this the other day on an '05. It's slightly different than the '04, but worked fine. Robin was amazed I had his dash ripped apart in minutes!

 

Thanks a lot guys you have saved me a PITA. I don't know why the manual is written such that you have to jump through hoops. Anyone know if the oil temp and voltmeter console is attached the the downtubes (I sure as heck hope not )

Alan

 

No, they're attached to the lower console. A real PIA if you have to try to move or access anything under there - the wires don't allow you to move it, and are tough to reach to disconnect them!
Beware, the first time I messed with my friends', the cig lighter connection came loose. Of course one never notices such things until it's all back together and they're on their way home.

If you're just removing the downtubes you won't have a problem.

 

One very annoying follow-up to Erics "pull from the top" downtube instructions ...

I read from Mikey way back that the downtubes had been modified (mid-2005) and can't be pulled up any more ...
And a couple weekends back I "met" a MINI with those downtubes

Someone had bought but not fitted a MINI circuit, due to Aux gauges so I offered to install - released the speedo trim piece and pulled out the downtubes, but could not pull them up and out of the way.
Luckily with a little persuasion you can get the toggle switch panel out with the downtubes still in place, just unscrewed and leaned as far out from center as possible.

STOP CHANGING THINGS, MINI

 

Or at least make the changes on model years so we don't have to ask the 'born on date' to figure out how to dismantle the buggers!

Edit: Edit post #8 above to say "you shouldn't have a problem unless you have a MINI built such that said process will cause you a problem."

 

Thanks
I know what you mean about the cig lighter. I managed to pull the gearshift console up just enough so I could clip on a 3M connector on the hot feed. You're right, with the gauge console there's not much room.
Alan

 

I ran into the same problem trying to install the auto-up/DSC circuit in my August build MCS. Thought I was going to give myself a hernia trying to get the downtubes out of the base console. Gave it up and just moved them out to the sides to remove the switch bank. On my wife's pre-'05 MCC (Oct. '04 build) they just pop out like previous models.