In my ongoing frustration at not being able to do something simple likeplay MP3s through my non-aux-socket-equipped 06, I bought an inline FM modulator this week. Used them before, they're not perfect, but better than the transmitters. Basically it just plugs inline with the aerial connection and bob's yer uncle. Less interference than a transmitter.

Anyhooooo....I've stripped the dash out to get at the back of the radio (because the modulator needs a cable to the MP3 player/iThing, so you can't really put it in the boot). On the back of my touchscreen unit there are 3 (count 'em) FAKRA plugs as in the pic below:

Click image to enlarge

Cappo,

you need to remove the upper tailgate plastic trim on the inside of the car and you'll find the amp in there that you can then plug into IIRC.

Also look at the passenger side rear corner in the boot, open the upper and lower tailgate and put your left hand in and pull the panel off.

You'll see the amp and so forth and i think if you look thru Joe90's post about a carpc you'll find screenshots of the AMP as thats where you want to be.

Think of the head unit as just a screen for the system which sits in the boot and uses the fibre network to talk to each part  FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

Thanks Will, that all makes perfect sense. I'll have a look for the cables later on.

Problem is, the cables on the modulator are quite short so it doesn't lend itself to being sited in the boot. I guess I could probably do it with extension aerial cables and keep the modulator up front - but I don't know whether the extension cables will then act as an antenna anyway and just cause interference.

Aaaaaargh!!

before you put them in wrap them in tinfoil and then put them in the car

Or get shielded cables

I know the cables you looked at before are 1 for TV, 1 for Reverse camera and 1 for rear/dvd system *i think*  FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
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If they are on the touchscreen as you say, then they have nothing to do with the audio system and are 3x video cables.

You need to find the radio module.

Martin

Sorry, which is found by removing the lower glove box.

Just as an aside, do you have an AUX option on the audio screen on the touchscreen, and no socket on the back of the centre console? Or no AUX option button and no socket?

Yes, it's twigged with me now that those three FAKRAs on the back of the HU are as you say above.

Martin - no aux on the screen, no aux socket either. No RSE either. The car is firmly in the no-man's-land between model ranges. I know there's the BM54 option but then again, people say buying those 2nd hand is risky, and at £2-300 it's quite a risk just for some music!

I'll talk to the supplier on Monday and see whether the iThing cable can be extended or not; if not, back to square 1.

Same boat as me Cappo its silly the price and setup

Im hoping to get loaded one day and just get a TDV8 VSE instead as much easier! lol FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
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Humour me a minute, do the early touchscreen cars have BMW audio units then?

Can you not do as I suggested and remove the audio unit to get to the antenna connection?

Martin wrote:

Humour me a minute, do the early touchscreen cars have BMW audio units then?

Can you not do as I suggested and remove the audio unit to get to the antenna connection?

That I'm really not sure about Martin........

Reason I ask is you mentioned the BM54 upgrade.

I think I had read that as being the universal solution to the problem - but I haven't validated it exactly against my car.