Does anyone know where, in the 2005 Mini, the antenna connection is inside the car to hook up to the satellite portion of the antenna. I was told that the base of the antenna is for satellite and wondering where that connection or cable is inside the car. Thanks.:smile:

 

This rumor is not correct. The Sirisu kit for the 05 includes a new antenna replacment.

 

How about another rumor ...... I've heard that the 2005 antenna base is hollow and that a satellite antenna can be placed inside of it. Yes? No? I'd like to fit it with my XM roady antenna if possible.

Also .... has anyone opened the access hatch under the 2005 antenna? How does it work? ( I don't want to break it trying to figure it out )

 

Remove the motion detector cover just under the antenna. There is one nut that holds the antenna down. Rotate that nut counter-clockwise to remove the antenna. Unplug the 2 leads. One goes to the antenna, and one goes to the rear defogger. Pull the antenna up through the hole. On the bottom of the antenna are 4 hex screws. I am not certain what size they are, but they are very small. Cell Phone small. Once you remove those 4 screws, the cover comes off. I put my Sirius antenna in front. In order to run the cable through the cable access hole in the base of the antenna, I had to open the Sirius antenna, de-solder the cable, run the cable through the access hole, and resolder. Some of the smaller antenna units will fit in the Mini base without much work. Some will require the sat antenna to be removed from it's housing. You should be very capable of soldering, and using a dremel before attempting this modification....

Good Luck!

 

Terrific write up! Thanks Abe!

Motion detector cover? What's that all about? Alarm system? You don't say much about removing the cover. Is it just a press fit?

Link to Abe's other antenna write up:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=46309

 

Yeah, it just pops out with a little down pressure.

 

If you haven't done this yet.......... push the front edge towards the back or the back egde towards the front while pulling down (gently). There are clips that hook on the edge of the interior part.


Americonium, thanks for the tips! I've got to remove the antenna to put a roof graphic on and I've recon'd the mount but haven't removed it yet. Nice to know they wires disconnect at the antenna base. I had visions of having to drop the headliner.

 

Um, you will have to pull the rubber surround at the hatch back and reach forward to release a metal clip that holds the rear antenna wire to the body. Also, when you remove that surround, there is a white plastic clip you have to GENTLY pull down on to release the headliner.

 

Ok, Thanks.


I've found that clip as I've been that deep before running XM antenna wires.