Adding bluetooth to a Mini with Harman Kardon audio

-
My R53 Cooper S has the unexpected bonus of the Harman Kardon premium audio system.  While it has impressive power and sound quality (once you discover the hidden settings), it's firmly stuck in the past with just CD and analogue radio.  You can't change the head unit as the speakers are all wired to the 10-channel amp that lives in the boot, so new cables would need to be run from the head unit to each speaker, which would be an almighty faff.

I wanted to add bluetooth so I could play my cheesy '80s music from Spotify, so bought a Grom BT3 which is a small module that plugs into the CD-changer port on the rear of the standard-fit Boost head unit.  It allows you to stream music from your mobile, and make/receive calls via the supplied microphone.  You can also buy another module that plugs into the Grom to provide DAB radio, USB, or iPod wired connections, I didn't bother with any of those, I just wanted Bananarama, loud.

There are 2 versions of the Grom for BMW Mini, the nice easy to install one which plugs onto the end of the CD-changer cable in the boot (known as the CDC fitment), or one that fits behind the head unit (radio fitment).  I couldn't find any changer cable (it should be alongside the amplifier), so had to go for the latter.

Extracting the head unit means removing the console pillars.  You can find youTube vids on this but my preferred method is to remove the centre console, which avoids any risk of damaging the dash trim panels.
Once the head unit is out, disconnect the large plug (by pulling up the integrated lever), then remove the white CD-changer plug; connect the 10-way plug from the Grom here, but note there are 12 pins on the unit and the first 2 are not used.  I got this wrong first time and it didn't work.
You also need to connect the 3 bare cables (which are earth, 12v permanent and the bus connection), using the clever wire taps provided.  They're much more secure than scotchloks.

The microphone then needs installing - I stuck it to the top of the steering column, as it was easy to feed the cable through and avoided disturbing the A-pillar trim (the clips on which are easily busted).

Then it was just a case of pairing the bluetooth with my slightly crap Galaxy A3, which was dead easy.  The CD controls allow you to change tracks within a Spotify playlist, but of course you don't get any artist/song info on the display.  Once I'd reduced the bluetooth volume on my phone to 70%, sound quality was excellent and soon all my neighbours were aware of the cruel summer Banarama are experiencing.

Popular posts from this blog

BMW E39 diesel pump replacement

-
Image
I replaced the fuel pump in the tank of the 530D yesterday.  It was quite fiddly and I couldn't find any useful guide on the internet, so I thought I'd create a quick outline of the procedure: Symptoms of failure : poor starting/cutting out when the fuel level falls to around a quarter of a tank. Cost : £42 from GSF , plus 2x 9mm petrol hose clips (the originals are not reusable). Procedure :  remove the rear seat base by pulling up sharply on it's front edge (there are a pair of spring clips holding it in place).  Beneath are 2 access panels to the tank, the pump is under the right-hand side one (behind the driver on a UK right-hand drive car).  Remove the cover and disconnect the 2 hose connections and the electrical plug (removed by pushing the locking clip sideways).  Unscrew the locking ring by gently rotating it with a hammer and chisel. Now slowly remove the fuel sender unit, noting it's orientation and how it slots into the pump assembly below ...
Read more

MINI tailgate hinge replacement

-
Image
I replaced the snapped tailgate hinge on t'old MINI today, and it wasn't too bad a job.  The design is a bit crap and they tend to seize, and then break and attempt to bonk you on the head with the tailgate.  Didn't like that. The hinge is held on by a single nut but you need to partially drop the headlining to reach it.  To do this you need to: remove the tailgate seal remove the rear seats remove the rear side panel trim on the affected side This is all covered by some helpful folks in this YouTube video.  After this, you need to remove the white C-pillar trim; it's held in by 4 plastic tabs (2 top, 2 bottom), which fit into metal clips in the body.  It needs a sharp tug but there is a fair risk of breaking the tabs, but I got away with it. Now you should be able to gently pull down the headlining, to release the clip in the centre: That should give just enough clearance to get a 13mm socket onto the nut securing the hinge.  There is...
Read more