Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Thumb drive input for CD43 radio

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    West Chester, PA
    Posts
    154
    My Cars
    BMWs:74 3.0 CS, 97 840Ci

    Thumb drive input for CD43 radio

    I'd like to be able to use a thumb drive with loaded music as an input to the CD43 radio I have in my '97 e31. The car has the installed CD changer in the trunk, but the CD43 radio does not communicate with it. Has anyone found a way to connect a USB cable into the CD43 radio? I do not want/need blue tooth etc., just want the ability to use a USB input instead of changing CD's in the radio.

    Thanks for any 'knowledge' input for my 'want'.

    Gary
    Gary Knox

    '97 BMW 840 Ci
    '03 MB SL55 AMG
    '07 Mini Cooper S hatchback
    '09 Aston Martin DB9 Volante
    '13 Audi A8
    '90 MB 560 SEC and '94 Porsche 928 GTS recently departed but long enjoyed
    50 or so others over the past 70 years of driving

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Lake Lanier
    Posts
    8,735
    My Cars
    E34 540i6 M Sport

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Las Cruces New Mexico
    Posts
    60
    My Cars
    1991 850i 6-speed
    I didn't want to go through all the wiring issues with installing a USB connection, so I bought a small FM transmitter unit that takes the headphone output from a iPod-like device, mine is a Sansa, and broadcasts it over a selectable FM frequency, then tuned the radio to that frequency. I use this in any car that does not recognize MP3/OOG files on CDs so I can play anything I can store on the iPod device for hours...

    DrPhysic

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Lake Lanier
    Posts
    8,735
    My Cars
    E34 540i6 M Sport
    I have the part that I linked to in my E31 and it works great while keeping the stock nature of the interior. I have the box in the glove box if I want to use the USB or AUX input. It took 30 minutes to install.

    95 540i6 M Sport - 95 525it S52/OBD2 - 433k E36 328i5 - X5D that hit a pothole - IG: @justinmurray95

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    West Chester, PA
    Posts
    154
    My Cars
    BMWs:74 3.0 CS, 97 840Ci
    Thank you for your assistance ati530i and drphysic. Very helpful and I appreciate your solutions.

    Cheers,

    Gary
    Gary Knox

    '97 BMW 840 Ci
    '03 MB SL55 AMG
    '07 Mini Cooper S hatchback
    '09 Aston Martin DB9 Volante
    '13 Audi A8
    '90 MB 560 SEC and '94 Porsche 928 GTS recently departed but long enjoyed
    50 or so others over the past 70 years of driving

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Salinas CA.
    Posts
    551
    My Cars
    1993 BMW 850CI

    Grom

    Quote Originally Posted by Gary Knox View Post
    Thank you for your assistance ati530i and drphysic. Very helpful and I appreciate your solutions.

    Cheers,

    Gary
    I installed a GROM unit in mine, it is about the size of a pack of cigarettes. I used Velcro to stick it inside and to the right of my CD43. It interfaces where the cable to the CD changer plugs in. I put the usb plug into the cubby behind The ashtray. Works well, but changing songs / files is clunky requiring pushing a very small button on the lower left of the deck. I also added the Bluetooth dongle, but haven’t played with it much. Mostly enjoy the sounds of the car, and continuous tunes.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Salinas CA.
    Posts
    551
    My Cars
    1993 BMW 850CI
    Quote Originally Posted by Gary Knox View Post
    Thank you for your assistance ati530i and drphysic. Very helpful and I appreciate your solutions.

    Cheers,

    Gary
    I forgot to mention that the installation of the GROM required a power jumper from the hot input to the GROM to one pin on the back of the radio. I had to contact their support via email.

Similar Threads

  1. add RCA input to factory CD43 radio?
    By s14realm3 in forum Car Audio & Electronics sponsored by Bavsound
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 11-04-2008, 01:26 PM
  2. BMW CD43 RADIO -- Factory BMW in-dash CD player
    By bmw m3 s50 in forum BMW Parts For Sale
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-10-2003, 02:58 AM
  3. WTB: CD43 radio headunit.
    By Gop-Dogg in forum BMW Parts Wanted
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 01-16-2003, 11:29 PM
  4. CD43 Radio or any BMW single CD
    By jb325 in forum BMW Parts For Sale
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 09-19-2002, 09:41 AM
  5. CD43 Radio and H/K speaker setup wanted!!! Please Help!!
    By pancho-m3 in forum BMW Parts Wanted
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 07-29-2002, 11:25 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •