I've a 2003 MCS (R53) with Boost CD radio, and I love it. The other day I decided to finally install the iPod kit that's been knocking around my garage for a while, the official MINI iPod Interface 65 11 0 035 964. Once I figured out how to get the side tubes off (I had stuck a suction cup mount cookie to the floor of one of the cupholders, so sliding the center console was a no go), the install was plenty easy; only three wires to move and some minor plugging and unplugging.

Once I had put everything back together I turned on the radio, and -- nothing. Or, rather, I tried to turn on the radio; it was not responsive. I had forgotten to test before putting all of the trim pieces on! Drat, apparently I did something wrong. So I took the car apart again, and reversed my work. The radio is back to the original wiring as shown in the pre-installation diagram, and it still doesn't work.

Here are the other facts in the case:

• The lighting circuit works, as the radio's buttons light up when I turn the headlights on
• I'm getting 12v between pin 9 (white/red/yellow) and the chassis of the radio
• I'm getting continuity between the chassis of the radio and the brown wire (ground bus)
• No bent pins on the back of the radio
• The 10A fuse on the back of the radio appears intact
• Everything else is stock except for an auto-up board: http://www.gbmini.net/wp/auto-up_windows/

So! Is there anything I need to do to wake up the radio? Did I kill it? How did I kill it?

Any insight you can share would be very helpful.

 

sounds great!

 

Solved! a 15A fuse blew in the main panel, so I was getting +12V for illumination but not for radio power. It works now.