C33 auxiliary question...

[TDE30]

Well, I finally found the head unit I'm going to replace my Alpine glitzy crap with. I've got a C33 lying around that may or may not fit perfectly. I read an article in this month's Roundel about how to add the AUX-IN function to one of these units. It's not terribly descriptive, so I was wondering if anyone on here has added an auxiliary input to one of their head units before. I found a link to some pictures of one that some guy did, I believe his was a C43 unit. Here are those pictures. How hard is it to do, and does it function alright?

I also found a link to this "GROM" adapter for most BMW head units that also charges the iPod. The link for that is here.

Does anyone have any reccomendations about either part/procedure? I can do the soldering work, but I'm looking for something that is as clean as it is easy to use.

[Gooch]

I've heard the C33s are pretty lousy, which is why I opted for the C43...however the AUX-IN intrigues me. Any way you can scan the Roundel article? And those pictures are pretty interesting.

I was going to buy this and this but I may hold off on it now if I can get some more info on a DIY AUX-IN.

[TDE30]

Yeah, I'll scan the article on here this evening.

[Gooch]

Cool, thanks, I look forward to seeing it.

[TDE30]

Here's the article, if I lose my CCA membership over copyright violations, then at least I got a neat stereo out of it.

[Gooch]

Sweet deal, thank you very much. I may just have to give that a try...

[TDE30]

Yeah, no problem. Give it a read and you might get the seem feeling I had that it's a little undescriptive. I need a few more pictures to understand what they're talking about.

I think you put some sort of red/white (audio L/R) inputs on the back of the unit, although I didn't see that mentioned in the article. Update this thread with some sort of mild write-up if you go through with it.

[kronus]

Anyone have a quick link to the harness pinouts of a C33 or a C43?

TDE30, that article has all the information you need. It's relatively simple after you find the 3 points you're soldering to. You can get RCA jacks of fun colors at Radio Shack or salvage them from old and broken A/V equipment, and put them into the back of the unit.

If someone can find me a C43 for pretty cheap, I promise to take lots of nice photos when I do this to it :)

[kronus]

Allright, got a C33 lined up as well as a camera. Tinkering begins tomorrow!

((unless not having the security code screws me over. Does it screw me over?))

[StereoInstaller1]

For anyone who is thinking about that GROM piece (or a similar one) if you want iPod control from the deck, you MUST have a deck from '97 or newer...AND you MUST have the FACTORY harness, too, from the same car, '97 or newer.

Otherwise, all you have is an AUX input, and you can't even do that with a 1992 radio.

Personally, I think their spec is shit, IMO, it is '99 and newer. Either way, not applicable with a DSP radio.

[TDE30]

For anyone who is thinking about that GROM piece (or a similar one) if you want iPod control from the deck, you MUST have a deck from '97 or newer...AND you MUST have the FACTORY harness, too, from the same car, '97 or newer.

Otherwise, all you have is an AUX input, and you can't even do that with a 1992 radio.

Personally, I think their spec is shit, IMO, it is '99 and newer. Either way, not applicable with a DSP radio.

Good info Luke, I assume the C43 unit would fit the bill for that, correct?

[StereoInstaller1]

Same deal, Trey, gotta be '99 or newer.

I am doing one today, in fact, in a '92 535iT with a '99 deck, 2 amps sub, custom spare tire box, separates, plus now iPod control after I build him a new cable.

[StereoInstaller1]

Fresh info: It is '96 and up fer sure.