XSeries-forum

Hi

Getting very confused by what should and shouldn't work in my car.

2009 pre-LCI (CCC) 35d. Has USB/audio in centre console (works well with ipod), bluetooth for call only (no music streaming) and phone cradle.

Would like to add Tune2Air to work alongside ipod by sharing the USB/Aux sockets, but they don't play well together if connected to a USB hub.

Thought it might be an idea to purchase a snap-in for the phone cradle and use an iPhone (I have an old iPhone 4 kicking around) instead of the ipod. Anyhow, the snap-in charges the phone but there is no music streaming from the iPhone.

I've tried to dig through the various permutations of S633A, 6FL etc but got totally confused. The car does not have 6FL. Why did BMW install a phone cradle that doesn't stream music or connect directly to the handsfree system (relying only on Bluetooth even when installed in the cradle)?

Anyway - anyone know the pinot for the cradle so I can hack it into the built-in USB hub (assuming it has one fitted). I think the car was one of the last pre-LCI so may have a mishmash of modules...

Any thoughts?

Thanks

What options do you actually have fitted?  AFAIK music was only available via a 'Y' cable until the LCI version introduced Bluetooth and cradle support, and you needed 6FL & 6NF to make that work with the additional USB Hub fitted below/behind the centre console armrest.

Hi

Thanks for the reply.

Correction to my original post - looked up the build spec online rather than the printed sheet from the dealer.
It has the 6FLA  USB/Audio interface (hence the music via the Y cable), but I'm stumped why the phone cradle isn't connected to anything except a power supply when the tech is obviously in the car. Hence the wondering if I can rewire the cradle to the USB hub.

Mine has 6FL only (Dealer error as they didn't understand the importance of 6NF being also needed at that time) and apart from charging the phone, connecting it into the phone system and to the external aerial that is all it does.  You need the 6NF option which adds another USB port to the hub and audio system.  That only came with the face-lifted version.  You will need to find and retrofit the later type USB parts, USB hub, support system etc.

There is no audio interface in the phone without the later version, and even changing the wiring may not help, unless perhaps you kill the USB connection you do have.

Mine requires a different hub, rewiring for 2-port hub up to the cradle, and a separate fibre feed back to the Combox (you won't have that as it was a late 2010 spec change) or in your case TCU or iDrive CCC system.  It can be done but isn't cheap.  Like anything on these cars, it can be done.

I no longer use an iPhone that fits the cradle so connect via USB anyway.  Mobile signals are good enough around here not to need the external aerial now anyway.

Thanks for the clear overview.
I will experiment with a USB switch (note: not a hub) to see if I can get the ipod and Tune2Air to play nice together. Cradle will just have to be an expensive charger...

Just to confirm - USB switch does work. Want to move from ipod to Bluetooth music? Just change the USB switch.

Whilst tidying up the cables, I noticed that a plastic takeaway box is an almost perfect fit for the bottom of the centre cubby. Quick spray of black paint later and all the wiring has gone inside it, leaving just the usb switch outside. Even has WAF.