I think I am going to (for now) get the AUX cable for my iPod connection. I have the Bentley manual for up to MY2004, but it appears that there have been some changes in the dash adn console design since then.

I have read plently of posts where in earlier models, some could reach up behind the driver's side knee bolster to get at the back of the radio headunit, to plug in the AUX cable. This is not possible (as far as I could tell) in the 2005 cars. There are also comments about just yanking down on the knee bolster to remove it, in order to get at the back of the HU that way, so I tried this (admittedly a bit hesitantly) and it didn't want to give, just started bending, so I quit.

I figured I would have to go the route of removing the headunit. But, now, though the downtubes still have two torx screws holding them, the top torx screw for either side is not accessible unless you remove the knee bolsters! In the Bentley, it looks like you can just unscrew the torx screws on the downtubes, remove the gearshift ring and slide part in front of it backwards, so that the tubes can be pulled out, and get the HU out that way. But now it looks like the knee bolsters are in the way! Arrgghhh....

SOOOO...Has ANYONE out there installed the AUX cable to the back of the headunit in an 05 car? Can you give me any hints or tips on how you did it?

I am planning on getting my cable on Thursday at the dealership and would love to try hooking it up that day...

 

I did the install on my March 2005 build MCSC not too long ago. I did
it while installing the Euro Parcel Shelf, and yes, it can be done just by
removing the knee bolster. In fact, it was easier to install the cable than
it was the parcel shelf.

Hints:

1) It helps to have small hands.
2) You'll have to apply a little force to remove the knee bolster. Don't be
scared of hurting your car. It's tough and can take it.
2) The connection is to the top left hand side (while looking at its face) of
the head unit.
3) The nooky thingy of the cable faces down (if I remember correctly).

A pretty simple install. Good luck...

 

Don't be afraid, MiniMel - just yank down hard on the knee bolster. Remember, it was engineered for you to crash into it at a high rate of speed. You can see the connectors in the pic. Hope that helps!

 

I did the install on my 04 CVT and recently on my 05MCSa with no problems. If you have a Navi it will make the install a bit harder. If thats the case then there is a thread around here that I used to make this work..

 

Did it on my 2005. Takes NO tools and less then 1 minute to do. (of course you have to drill a mounting hole if you want to actually mount it somewhere - that will add a minute or two.).

I do not understand how a dealer charges $160 for installation???

- John

 

On the '05's it's not quite as easy as yanking down on the knee bolster, it appears that there has in fact been a minor design change on the clips...

It's still possible to remove the bolster though, once you swivle it down it will take some monkeying to pop it off.

 

Not strictly true - you do need a torx screwdriver, which not everyone has. But it's a very easy job, and it is possible on the '05s to just remove the bolster and reach around behind the radio to plug the cable in. Plus you can put the jack anywhere you want it, instead of having in the glovebox, which I think is pretty dumb.

 

Yes, that's very true. It was a HUGE pain. You need to swing it down, pull it straight back so that the left and right clips pop out, and then (while pulling it back), force it straight down, HARD, to pop out the center clip.

 

Many many (MINI) thanks to Wonderdrug, Eric, etc...With your help I was able to remove the knee bolster!! Eric, your photo of where the hinges were, the posts at the top, etc. was invaluable - it was a HUGE help - once I knew where to direct the forces I just yanked on it and the whole panel came off!!

Now, for step two...I can't figure out where the plug goes. I am doing it by feel, even got out a small mirror and flashlight to see but it's pretty tough to get a good view. When I reach back there, I just feel a bunch of plugs going into the back of the HU. (I have an HK, by the way)

Anyone have any help/tips for step two?

I am going to search and see if I can find a photo posted of the back of the HK headunit... that should help.

Thansk, everyone - you all are GREAT!!!

 

I have the HK also (not sure if this actually makes any difference, but I just like saying so ). I just did this a couple of weeks ago, and as I remember, the socket to plug into is near the top left corner of the radio, on the back. As in directly behind the power/volume ****. You can feel that it's a rectangular socket with a bunch of ridges along one of the inside edges that correspond to the cable plug. You'll know when you've got it right because it will snap in, and your head unit will now toggle between radio, CD, and AUX!

 

I found some photos on another thread and saw what the back of the HU looks like in that area. Now I can see that there is an existing white plug and an empty spot next to it, located on the (I think it is bottom) left (as you are looking at the front of the unit). My guess is that is where the AUX plugs into.

I am a bit concerned though, in that I know I have read that others see "AUX" show up on the LED display even before the AUX cable is plugged in, and I just checked and mine doesn't do that. There is only FM and CD. Was yours this way before the AUX hookup, do you know? In other words, did "AUX" show up on the headunit display only after the AUX was actually plugged in?

 

Correct..make sure you have it connected correctly.

 

You are fine. My head unit did not display AUX until I had the connector plugged
in the back. Once it is plugged in, you will also see a new audio option to set
the AUX input level.

As for plugging in the connector, like the other posts say, just feel around a bit.
It's in the very top left hand corner. If I remember correctly, there should be
another connector protruding just below it. Just feel for that.

 

Well, tomorrow's the day to see how if this works or not. I got all ready today, bought a 1/8 male patch cord and modified a ProClip mount I had purchased about 8 months ago when I thought that I would be getting an ICElink. I made a small angled wooden mount that will attach to the ProClip (which will mount to the passenger-side downtube) and my iPod (in it's EVO skin) will attach to it by Velcro. Nothing fancy, but it will hold the iPod at an angle that will be easy to reach and view.

I plan on taking it out to charge, for the time being. I may get a Belkin charger down the road.

So, tomorrow is the day I hope to finally have iPod sound in my car (it's only been 8 months!)

Will let all know if it's a go or not...Thanks for all the help!!

 

Thanks to the help of this thread, I just threw an AUX plug in my 05 MCS and attached my iPod and everything worked great. I didn't even install the actual plug, I just attached the male to male adapter and ran that through the small opening in the detachable vent unit. I am definitely glad I didn't have my dealer install it. Thanks!

 

Yeah!!! Good for you!!!

Isn't NAM wonderful?!

 

It's done, and I have iPod! The AUX cable was easy to install, i just had to feel around a bit, and using the mirror to see how the white plug (in the slot next to where the AUX goes) was oriented helped. I stopped by Walmart and picked up a Belkin charger for about 38 bucks, so total cost for the whole shebang was:

38 dollars for the AUX cable (dealer)
38 dollars for the Belkin charger (Walmart)
5 dollars for the patch cord (Radio Shack)

Upsides: Cost is relatively cheap (about 82 dollars), easy DIY install, ability to select songs or playlists from the iPod directly, charge iPod, and operate the volume by either the HU control or the MFSW control (the latter was a pleasant surprise!)

Downsides are: Have to take eyes off the road to select songs, and can't forward or backward the songs by the MFSW. To have these functions, you have to spend at least 40 -50 dollars more for the factory iPod adaptor PLUS have it installed.

Since I have a November 2004 build 2005 car, I don't have the ability to see ID3 tags on my headunit anyway. So for others like me, I think the advantages of the AUX setup outweigh the adaptor. If you have a later build 2005 car and can see ID3 tags, then the ICElink has some nice features, provided it works OK and you don't have any problems. But it's way more expensive and is not be an easy DIY installation since it taps into the wiring harness (this has caused problems for many users with their cars electrical system!)

The other unit being touted as an alternative to the ICElink sounds OK, but for 82 dollars I am getting the same features that they are selling for 120 dollars, except for the additional ability to control the iPod via the MFSW. But to me, other than controlling volume by the MFSW (which you can do with the setup I have!) this is pretty much a useless feature unless you can see the ID3 tags to see what's playing - seeing "song #1" displayed, or "playlist #2" is pretty meaningless to me considering I have over 400 songs on my iPod! I'll just read it off the iPod, thanks!

 

Congrats on the successful install

 

Where do you need a torx for? Maybe it's different on pre-05's, but on an 05 you just swing the knee bolster down, it just pops right off, and plug the cable in. That's it.

- John

 

MiniMel,

Since I have the Aux Port, I found a wireless remote that came with an interchangeable watch, a huge vent mounting clip, and a huge steering wheel control holder. I ended up attaching the watch band to the wide steering wheel spoke. The wireless remote connects onto it (it could also clip into the steering wheel holder thingy - bulky and ugly). It's as big as an oreo cookie. It has volume control and rw/ff track control (see picture). I'm actually going to remove the watch and just velcro it to the spoke. I'm quite familiar with all my lists, so I don't really need to look at the iPod to see what's playing. I don't have to take my hands off the wheel to change tracks. I got it from Circuit City.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Nyko-...oductDetail.do

I just ran out and took this crappy picture in the dark. I love velcro, so I found some velcro and removed the watch band.

It works for me, maybe it will help you. I'll post a daylight picture tomorrow.

 

This is a little late, but I was able to install the Aux input without even removing the knee bolster. Just reached under and behind it. Plugged it in on the first try.

With the help of this forum, it took me all of 2 minutes to install it!

 

So where do I buy the AUX adapter again? Where does the power cord plug into (in the lighter, I presume)? What's the patch cord for? Sorry but I'm getting in on this pretty late as I just bought my MINI last Friday. Thanks!


Oh, the kit from Circuit City looks cool. Please let us all know how it works out for you.

 

All I'm using from the kit is the universal receiver and the 5 button remote control. That's velcroed to the middle steering wheel spoke. The receiver plugs into the top of the iPod. It's just like having extra controls on the steering wheel. IMO, and I know everyone is entitled to their own, the Aux port gives you more lists to choose from on the iPod. My sound is fantastic, and I have volume and track/playlist control. The volume buttons on the MFSW control the volume and the 5 button remote handles the track changes (it controls the volume on the iPod, but that's disabled due to the Aux Port override). I love this setup (iPod to the Belkin Auto Kit, which plugs into the ciggie lighter which plugs into the Aux port via a male to male 1.5 stereo plug, all hidden under the toggle area). I purchased my Aux Port from outmotoring.com. My next purchase is the Euro Tray.

 

Anyone wishing to do this mod should try the Blitzsafe Universal iPod interface instead of the bllkin auto kit. The belkin has an amplifier that boosts the sound a little and may distort it.

 

You can buy the AUX adapter from your dealer. It should be $39.95. You'll need a patch cord to run from the AUX adapter to your iPod, Sirius or XM (or whatever audio source you want). The patch cord is a mini plug male to male. Think of it like a headphone jack with a jack on both ends.

And yes, you can run power through the lighter. You can also use an "add-a-circuit" fuse holder to run a new powerline to your fuse box:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...number=071-580

I went to Autozone and picked one up for $5.99.