martyyn 2 Report post Posted November 9, 2009 On the front it has an aux/cd button. On the web I can find the pin diagram showing that its basically just a cd and not an aux in the modern day 'ipod' sense. Ive seen a write up on the web where a guy soldered in an ipod connection and I wondered if I could do the same. I know I could always just get a new BT/ipod headunit but to be honest I dont like the way the new headunits look in the older cars so want to see if I can get this going first. So my thoughts are.... If I take the cage out from the dash (this unit removes from the dash entirely for the ultimate in stereo security !) I should be able to get the loom this unit attaches to. I should then be able to see if a cd changer is actually wired into it. If it is I should be able to find out where that goes and would I then to be able to wire in an ipod instead ? If its not can I still wire something in anyway ? I know sod all about electrics, so any help is appreciated. Ill try and get a photo of the stereo up shortly, but I doubt it will help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rogan 7 Report post Posted November 10, 2009 Your headunit has rca input on the rear but I can't figure out if you can use them as an aux in or whether you need the xA-C30 as well. If you can just use the rca inputs then all you'll need is a 3.5mm jack to male rcas,say about 1 metre long and feed that through to your glove box or wherever you want to put the ipod. These take a while to load up: install manual owners manual Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted November 10, 2009 Thanks Rogan, I pulled out the cage last night very quickly to have a look and it looks like its all wired up for a cd changer with a plug Ive not seen before. I took a photo so Ill post it up. Its round the size of a finger and Im sure Ive seen the other end go into a cd changer in an old e30 I once had. Maybe thats something I can tap into. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted November 10, 2009 Hey Rogan, you dont have access to the XR-7300 manuals do you? The one youve posted above is the XR-C7300 instead. Ive found it on the web but the places want money for it ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted November 10, 2009 Photos..... Headunit Poor photo of plug Im sure this plug went to a cd changer in my previous e30 so this is what I need to find a out diagram for isnt it ? It had a nice little plastic cap on the end of it which leads me to believe its not already wired to the boot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rogan 7 Report post Posted November 10, 2009 I dug the manuals out of the sony site http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/select-sy...amp;PRODTYPE=10 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 see that grey cable with rca sockets taped to the loom thats the aux rca input . just had a look at one i have here and noticed its labeled as aux input the round one is for the cd changer , i have some of those too if needed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 You mean the grey cable taped to the two black ones Brent ? If its an aux input whats it likely to be connected to ? When I press Aux/CD nothing happens which lead me to believe I would need the cd changer to make it work. If it is an aux input, any idea what I need to plug into it to connect an ipod ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 You mean the grey cable taped to the two black ones Brent ? If its an aux input whats it likely to be connected to ? When I press Aux/CD nothing happens which lead me to believe I would need the cd changer to make it work. If it is an aux input, any idea what I need to plug into it to connect an ipod ? a rca to headphone plug cable thats 2 rca plugs to a 3.5mm stereo plug not sure about the non response when you use the cd aux button . maybe push twice or maybe there is a switch somewhere underneth or on the circuits boards to switch between cd satcker or aux input , will have a play with my one later on . and let you know if i find anything Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Thanks Brent. I might go and pull it all out again now for a quick look Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Braeden320 0 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 When I set mine up for MP3 via Aux the Aux needed turning on, It had an on/off option in a settings menu. Did you try pushing and holding the Aux button at all? Could be completly irrelevant as mines a totally different headunit but worth a crack anyway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Would you Adam and Eve it !! I dig out an old RCA to 3.5mm cable from my box of computer stuff, open up the dash again, pull back the tape around the RCA cable find it not plugged into anything. So I plug my cable in, attach the ipod, press the AUX button and there we have it ! Who wouldve thought a 1990 NZ new stereo would be ipod compatible with a simple RCA cable But man I need some better speakers ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 (edited) Would you Adam and Eve it !! I dig out an old RCA to 3.5mm cable from my box of computer stuff, open up the dash again, pull back the tape around the RCA cable find it not plugged into anything. So I plug my cable in, attach the ipod, press the AUX button and there we have it ! Who wouldve thought a 1990 NZ new stereo would be ipod compatible with a simple RCA cable But man I need some better speakers ! thats exactly the same stereo im my car.I have the stackertoo.SO i guess you just see AUX on the display?I have a manual for teh stereo but it doesnt have much info... Edited November 11, 2009 by kiwi535 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 good work . anyone want one of these cool retro stereo's Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Yes Paul, you just see AUX on the display. I dont mind that at all with having the ipod in the car to do the rest. I just need to work out the best way to power it only when the ignition is on and work out some sort of stealth install which means its still easily available to control. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 854 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Yes Paul, you just see AUX on the display. I dont mind that at all with having the ipod in the car to do the rest. I just need to work out the best way to power it only when the ignition is on and work out some sort of stealth install which means its still easily available to control. Take a power feed from the cigarette lighter plug under the centre console. Should work on accessory and ignition only Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Take a power feed from the cigarette lighter plug under the centre console. Should work on accessory and ignition onlyi think the older bmw's have power at all times to the cig socket from memory Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 854 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 i think the older bmw's have power at all times to the cig socket from memory Your right..I just checked a E30 F/L in the workshop. Take a power feed from the sterio ignition feed wire then, not the permanent memory power wire and find a suitable earth. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Beauty, thanks fellas Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Simon* Report post Posted November 11, 2009 So there was an aux RCA out on the back in addition to the stacker cable? Might have to look at mine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 So there was an aux RCA out on the back in addition to the stacker cable?You got it. In the middle photo above, Im holding the cd stacker cable on the left, but in the middle of the picture there is a grey cable taped to two black ones. At the end I saw it was taped over and assumed it was for something else (there were cables coming out the other side). But pulling the tape back showed it had just been taped over.Im wondering if all NZ new cars of that age had the Aux input aswell. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Simon* Report post Posted November 11, 2009 I have a different headunit but haven't been round the back of it yet. Mind you, there's not AUX mode, just radio, tape, CD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 It was the AUX/CD that started me off, so perhaps you wont have anything. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Simon* Report post Posted November 11, 2009 That's what I'm thinking I have this one ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mark19 0 Report post Posted July 30, 2010 (edited) This thread made my day, i bet alot of people dont know this. I am in the middle of setting up my e30 for ipod connectivity. The only annoying thing i find with this is when i turn on the stereo the antenna goes up when its not on radio. So if you just have it on aux you have to have your enourmously long 1 metre ariel sticking up for no reason . I also frequently listen to my ipod so it would be giving the ariel motor alot of unneeded work. How do i make it so the ariel only goes up when its set to radio? Edited July 30, 2010 by mastermike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
