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Thread: Bluetooth for CD43 - that works!

  1. #26
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    I didn't know about the microphone enclosure next to the OBC. I thought the louvers were for air temperature sampling. I was going to install the mic yesterday but the rain was pretty intense so I delayed and now I've read this bit of wisdom. It's seems to be the logical place to install the Bluetooth microphone and it's certainly more convenient then my plan.

  2. #27
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    I installed the Bluetooth mic in the existing microphone holder next to the OBC. I removed the OEM mic and inserted the new mic with its foam pillowcase and the fit was very snug and while it didn't need it I put some electrical tape around the back of the holder as a precaution to ensure it didn't slip out. Very pleased with the mic placement suggestion!

    Also neither the USB drive or SD card is limited to 99 songs in each of the six file directories. The manual states this as the limit but they left out the word "display". The CD43 display is only two digits so if tracks above 99 play they will always indicate 99 on the CD43 display. With a 32GB limit on the size of the USB drive you can store a lot a music!

  3. #28
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    Any photos of the mic installs?


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  4. #29
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    I don't have a photo, because it was just too simple. I took the old mic out of the original microphone holder/bracket in the center console, and the new mic slid right into place. I didn't have to adjust or modify anything to make it fit. The new mic had a foot with a glue pad that I was able to attach at the top of the inside of the original holder/bracket, so the new mic won't be going anywhere. The only thing that I had to do was crimp the ends of two metal pieces that came off the old mic so that they would stay attached to the inside of the original bracket and help keep it in place. Then I just reinstalled the original bracket with the new mic in place of the original mic. Hands free calling works great, and it looks completely original.

    Mike Barrett
    Last edited by shogun; 03-23-2019 at 10:55 AM.
    Mike Barrett
    94 850CSi, Hellrot over silbergrau dunkel/silbergrau hell
    96 850Ci, Oxfordgrun over silbergrau hell

  5. #30
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    Excellent. Thank you Mike!
    Last edited by shogun; 03-23-2019 at 10:56 AM.
    '07 e65|N62 - Alpina B7 - Black Sapphire|Black|Loaded|GONE
    '02 e46|M54 - Orient Blue|Beige|'Vert|GONE
    '00 e39|M52 - Anthrazit Metallic|Grey|GONE
    '01 e38|M73 - Anthrazit Metallic|Schwarz|Shadow-Line|GONE
    '91 e31|M70 - Schwarz|Schwarz|M70|FOR SALE

    '13 328i Auto - Black Sapphire|Coral Red|Sport Line|GONE
    '05 545i SMG - Jet Black|Black|Bamboo Anthracite|GONE
    '07 335i Auto - Montego Blue|Grey|GONE
    '05 545i SMG - (Euro Delivery 7/22/05)|Black Sapphire|Auburn|GONE
    '97 528i Auto - GONE

  6. #31
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    Hi all,

    I am thinking of getting a CD43 with Bluetooth connection. Now I found one refurbished and nice looking for my e31 but in the nearby future I am also thinking of upgrading all my speakers.

    I still have the originals in there and not too happy about them. I want to keep everything stock looking and just upgrade the speakers.

    So my question is, is it a bad investment to buy a CD43? I really love getting more bass out of my car and I am potentially thinking of getting a subwoofer in there. Is that possible with a CD43? Or do I need an aftermarket one?

    Thanks
    Paul

  7. #32
    tvjake2's Avatar
    tvjake2 is offline SoCalEights - CA BMW CCA Member
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    For me the CD43 was a great improvement over the C33 tape deck version. It also has some more advanced features, volume up and down as speed changes is a nice one.
    Last edited by shogun; 03-23-2019 at 10:56 AM.

  8. #33
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    I connected the c43 to my car and it does not work. Then I put back in the RDS unit and the radio plays. Any ideas?
    Same with the becker unit

  9. #34
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    Help needed! 1991 E31 Bluetooth upgrade

    I am finally trying to add Bluetooth to my 1991 E31. I saw this solution [https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2320028-Bluetooth-for-CD43-that-works] and purchased the same parts on eBay; a CD43 (Blaupunkt BMW Business CD) and the LaPower BT module. I also found a retro BMW USB/Aux port in to put below my ASC button, and modified a BMW USB cable and a 3.5mm cable to go from the USB/Aux port to the BT module for a nice clean OEM look. I unplugged my rear CD changer and the installation was as easy as described. Turned on the car, paired my phone successfully, and then hit the CD button twice on the stereo, only for it to say "No Disc". I checked and double checked the connections, including checking voltage to Pin #7 (bus wire) at the back of the 17 pin stereo connector. At first I thought it was a faulty CD43, so I exchanged it for another one, same problem. Then I contacted the module seller and he sent me a new module (w/o a new harness) but it still has the same problem. My friend in parts at the BMW dealer is also stumped. In theory, this should work. My car had mBus, but the CD43 is iBus. Since we are bypassing the trunk CD changer completely, this new iBus should work, but for some reason the CD43 will not recognize the module. Two functions on the module work as it will pair with my phone and also charge it via USB. He did notice there is another module (A25 Electronic Body Module EKM) at Pin 10 which also connects to the Pin 7 Bus wire somewhere in the car. This connects to the tachometer, perhaps to increase stereo or phone volume at higher speeds.The only this we can figure out is perhaps the Bus signal is getting stopped at this module, ie. the signal goes out, but doesn't come back so the stereo doesn't think there is any other "CD" attached. I now realize this solution was done on newer E31's. If anyone could offer suggestions of other things to try, they would be most appreciated!

  10. #35
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    tvjake2 is offline SoCalEights - CA BMW CCA Member
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    When I get "No Disc" it usually means the bluetooth connection has not been made successfully. As soon as that shows up, leave the radio on, go to the phone and turning off and back on the bluetooth connection. Then reconnect the bluetooth with the LAPower BT module on the phone. When it connects turn the radio off and on. It should fire up. The readout on the radio should be "5-99" when it connects. The mBus isn't a factor because it is disconnected although you might double check that. Everything you've done seems correct and this is not a difficult install. I guess the only other thing you could try is putting this system in a 96-97 model E31 and see if it works in that car.
    Last edited by shogun; 03-23-2019 at 10:58 AM.

  11. #36
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    Any thoughts on the “Dip Swith Configuration” with a CD43 ? Everything else appears to be a straight install.

  12. #37
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    Follow the instructions on the installation docs. They give dip switch settings for the bluetooth.

  13. #38
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    The ad on eBay says this will not work with DSP.

    On my 98 e38 in my pic below, I have a CD43 taken from a Land Rover installed and all functions work. The car does have a DSP system installed. Has anyone tried this setup, or is the Bluetooth system only dependent on the connections to the back of the cd43?

    02 e39 540i Sport (Son), 01 DINAN 7 (Me), 12 e70 X5 x35i (Mrs), 95 e34 525i (Daughter 2), 01 e46 325Ci vert (Daughter 1)

  14. #39
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    If your radio has DSP and it says it won't work then I'd take that as real.
    Last edited by shogun; 03-23-2019 at 10:58 AM.

  15. #40
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    Check the fuse

    There is a fuse in the back of the radio right where the harness plugs in. Check it.
    Last edited by shogun; 03-23-2019 at 10:59 AM.

  16. #41
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    Hello Norcal8er, were you ever able get it to work? I have the exact same setup, and have the same issue...can pair to the Bluetooth, but get "No Disk" when pressing the CD button on my CD43. My car is a '92 850 (9/91). The CD changer in the trunk is completely removed. Thanks for your time. Chip
    Last edited by shogun; 03-23-2019 at 11:00 AM.

  17. #42
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    Stupid question time:
    1) Why would you press the CD button knowing there is no CD?
    2) Wouldn't you expect to get "No Disk" when there is no disk?

    What am I missing?
    Last edited by shogun; 03-23-2019 at 11:01 AM.

  18. #43
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    Two reasons. First, the CD43 has a CD player built in, so you would press CD to access the cd in the unit. Second, the way the Bluetooth units work (or at least mine does) is that pressing the CD button a second time accesses the Bluetooth connection.

    For the OP, I would start by checking all the connections to ensure they aren’t loose. I seem to recall having a similar problem when I first installed mine, and double checking everything and snugging up all the connections fixed the problem.


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  19. #44
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    Does the unit read "No Disk" if a CD is inserted in the CD43?
    Last edited by shogun; 03-23-2019 at 11:01 AM.

  20. #45
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    Hmmm. I don’t remember. It doesn’t anymore, now that I have the Bluetooth unit connected. Now it reads “5–99“ if I press it once for the in-dash cd and “6-99” when I press it twice for the Bluetooth audio.


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    94 850CSi, Hellrot over silbergrau dunkel/silbergrau hell
    96 850Ci, Oxfordgrun over silbergrau hell

  21. #46
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    Hi Guys. I got it to work. The Bluetooth adapter has a blue wire connected to CD43's pin 7 (I-bus pin) that also tee's into the car's wiring for that same pin. My 850 (9/91) had the CD player and changer that, from what I've read on the forum, uses M-bus for data connectivity. I suspect the problem was because, out-of-the-box, the Bluetooth adapter had my car's M-bus connected to the I-bus (pin 7) on CD43. I cut the blue wire (CD43 pin 7 wire) going from the Bluetooth adapter to my car's wiring harness and now pressing the CD button twice brings up the Bluetooth adapter track numbers and I'm able to stream music from my cell. Sweet!!!

    The radio, CD, hands-free calling, and Bluetooth work fine, but by doing this I've removed the car from the data communications path between that CD43 and the Bluetooth adapter. Do you guys know if this will cause any problems?

    Thanks! Chip20181125_134110[1].jpg

  22. #47
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    Chipray you were spot on. I also finally got Bluetooth working. The culprit was indeed the speed sensor, AKA electronic body module on the i-Bus wire. It was pulling just enough current that the bluetooth module wasn't getting the full 12V it needed. I bypassed the i-Bus wire in the harness and connected my BT module directly to the stereo and it works perfectly now. Keeping the OEM look was well worth the hassle. I love the simplicity and ease of use with the CD43. I'm tempted to try this in my E24 which has an aftermarket head unit I can't stand, even though it has more "features".
    IMG_5005.jpg
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  23. #48
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    Just my .02 ...

    I did try the Ebay solution but they have another huge block that plugs into the back of the CD43. After way to many hours and skinned knuckles in the dash. I got the GROM and it worked and fit much nicer. I also found that the GROM didn't have the Disc and track limitation as the Ebay solution had. In other words I could have more than 6 directories "virtual discs" and more than 99 files in each. GROM also has an Android App that gives you a few nice features. FWIW
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  24. #49
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    I ended up with the GROM too, though I kept the extra block so I wouldn't have to tap in to the original harness. There is actually a fair amount of room back there, unlike my E24. Thanks for the tip about playing from a USB drive. I haven't tried this yet, but I will now.
    Last edited by shogun; 03-23-2019 at 11:02 AM.

  25. #50
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    Quote Originally Posted by PaulAtredes View Post
    Just my .02 ...

    I did try the Ebay solution but they have another huge block that plugs into the back of the CD43. After way to many hours and skinned knuckles in the dash. I got the GROM and it worked and fit much nicer. I also found that the GROM didn't have the Disc and track limitation as the Ebay solution had. In other words I could have more than 6 directories "virtual discs" and more than 99 files in each. GROM also has an Android App that gives you a few nice features. FWIW
    Which GROM did you use? The website doesn't seem to have a match for the E31. Also, do you have a microphone in this kit. My eBay kit came with the mic and I mounted it in the original mic location.

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