E46 business Cd Bluetooth setup

[klan8456]

Ok, so having a bit of a problem trying to get my stereo updated to play via Bluetooth.

I have a 2003 M3 which has a CD stacker fitted in the boot.

I bought a Bluetooth adaptor which plugs into the wiring connectors formerly used by the CD stacker in the boot (2 separate plugs) which is then meant to be “plug and play”. However, it has not worked.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0773MX7BG/ref=cm_sw_r...

The Bluetooth adaptor is getting power, as it is able to connect to my phone, and the phone itself believes it has a valid connection and continues to play.

However, no sound comes out of the stereo. Playing with the volume does nothing.

Complicating matters:

• somewhere in the car’s life an Auxiliary lead was fitted (old iPhone 30 pin connector), run across to the bin which is to the right of the steering wheel
• When I pulled out the radio, I found that it is a Siemens brand, made in July 2004, serial number starting with PH. So at some point in the car’s life, the head unit has been changed.
• The PH head unit doesn’t support Aux, but would it support the CD stacker? I am able to select the CD stacker as an input.
• I found a cable behind the head unit that was hanging loose, but there was no way it was going to stretch across to plug into the only area it could in the back of the head unit. It was an 8 or 10 pin plug. Perhaps it was, somehow, plugged into the back of the head unit before I pulled it out, but I’m doubtful - and it looks NOTHING like the 10 pin plugs advertised as Aux inputs on eBay. It looks like like the other side of the CD stacker connection in the boot.

Nothing was plugged into the bottom 2 plugs on the right of the below diagram.

https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?img...IAnSKjAM&amp...

Should there be plugs in there if the CD stacker is fitted? Or does the CD changer input go into the multi plug above?

All in all this has me puzzled... any direction / thoughts most appreciated!!!!

[twokcc]

klan8456 said:

Ok, so having a bit of a problem trying to get my stereo updated to play via Bluetooth.

I have a 2003 M3 which has a CD stacker fitted in the boot.

I bought a Bluetooth adaptor which plugs into the wiring connectors formerly used by the CD stacker in the boot (2 separate plugs) which is then meant to be “plug and play”. However, it has not worked.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0773MX7BG/ref=cm_sw_r...

The Bluetooth adaptor is getting power, as it is able to connect to my phone, and the phone itself believes it has a valid connection and continues to play.

However, no sound comes out of the stereo. Playing with the volume does nothing.

Complicating matters:

• somewhere in the car’s life an Auxiliary lead was fitted (old iPhone 30 pin connector), run across to the bin which is to the right of the steering wheel
• When I pulled out the radio, I found that it is a Siemens brand, made in July 2004, serial number starting with PH. So at some point in the car’s life, the head unit has been changed.
• The PH head unit doesn’t support Aux, but would it support the CD stacker? I am able to select the CD stacker as an input.
• I found a cable behind the head unit that was hanging loose, but there was no way it was going to stretch across to plug into the only area it could in the back of the head unit. It was an 8 or 10 pin plug. Perhaps it was, somehow, plugged into the back of the head unit before I pulled it out, but I’m doubtful - and it looks NOTHING like the 10 pin plugs advertised as Aux inputs on eBay. It looks like like the other side of the CD stacker connection in the boot.

Nothing was plugged into the bottom 2 plugs on the right of the below diagram.

https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?img...IAnSKjAM&amp...

Should there be plugs in there if the CD stacker is fitted? Or does the CD changer input go into the multi plug above?

All in all this has me puzzled... any direction / thoughts most appreciated!!!!

Cant help a lot but have done a similar set up in m 2003 330ci. When bought this had an afterfit Nokia bluettoth kit for phone which wouldn't work with android so installed a parrot kit with special leads to enable sterring wheel controls to work. The parrot kit doesn't stream bluetooth so fitted an Aux lead into back of head unit
This is a detail of installation with references to other forum posts that may be of help

https://www.bmwland.org.uk/index.php?threads/e46-r...

Regarding the head unit the original was an cassette player which didn'thave AUx in changed this for CD plaer- straight swop on connections.
After fitting could still play dash CD and boot multichanger with AUX selected could plug phone into lead and play music thro head unit.
Original car did not have bluetooth or sat nav but had boot changer, your M3 mayhave a differnt starting spec.
Like the look of the bluetooth receiver youve hightlighted may get one and see if can stream music via bluettoth at some stage.
Prior to above had change boot multi changer to one that plays MP3's this connected by the leads shown on the bluetooth adapter so maybe an easy job to change BUT could complicate things with 2 bluetooth receivers in car.
HTH

Edited by twokcc on Monday 29th July 10:30