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-   -   AUX cable/CD Changer Toggle Switch (http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=684170)

bbirnie 06-18-2009 07:19 PM

AUX cable/CD Changer Toggle Switch
Would it be possible to find the cables coming into the head unit from the CD Changer in the trunk, hook them into a toggles switch, hook the ends from an aux cable into the toggles switch, and then run the toggle switch back into the head unit ? Would this allow me to switch between the cd player and the aux cable using the toggle switch while have it set to the cd function on the head unit ?

BmwAudio32 06-18-2009 09:01 PM

Yes, this would work. I've had two different setups which would allow this to work.

1. Setup number one was with an aftermarket Pioneer CD changer. I hooked it up with a PAC interface unit that allow it to connect to the factory cd changer wires. It also had a handy feature of an aux input built in, and had a wire that, when grounded, would enable the aux in feature and turn off the changer. I hooked up a simple switch that turned the aux on/off and it all worked perfectly.

2. Setup number 2 actually stemmed from issue I was having with my factory SIRIUS and DICE, in which my DICE had noise whenever the SIRIUS unit was on at the same time. I ended up creating a "splitter" off the IBUS wires, so that both units were plugged into the wires at the same time, then I cut the power wire going to the SIRIUS unit and installed a switch inline that would cut power to it on/off. Thus, I had both DICE and SIRIUS but didn't have to go through the noise-prone SIRIUS slave port.

If your wanting to run a factory changer as well as something like the Blitzsafe aux adapter, you would want to do something similar to setup 2. What you would need to do is get one of those SIRIUS slave cables (someone posted a link to get one for like 15 dollars I think), and cut the ends off, thus you will have extra 3 and 6 pin connectors to use. You would splice this into the appropriate wires in the 6 and 3 pin bundles so that you'd end up with a forked cable with 2 connectors for each fo the 3 and 6 pin spots. You'd then rig up a switch like I did to cut power to one while the other is powered on, and your switching would work like you want.


If you scroll down to the bottom of that thread page you will see where I posted pics of my switch.

Ballistic325 06-18-2009 11:55 PM

bbirnie... I've been thinking along the same lines as you.

Have a look at these threads. It should be easy to splice in a switch so that you can use either the 3.5mm stereo cable or the CD changer...

Will hopefully get a chance to try this over the weekend. Will post updates either way.




bbirnie 06-19-2009 07:20 AM

Thanks for the replies guys. Much appreciated.

Ballistic325 06-23-2009 07:58 AM

BmwAudio32 - thanks for the tips. Finally had a chance to go through your posts in a little more detail and understand better what you're talking about.

Unfortunately being in Aus means that the cables etc are harder to come by and much more expensive too, once delivery and currency conversion is factored in!

Will just have to rig stuff up the old fashioned way I think. Gathering the parts during this week and will take a crack at it this coming weekend. Will be following the basic steps described by white46 and roscharch.

In a nutshell, in order to do this with a HU without the aux input, and keep the changer working you'd need to splice into the existing CD changer harness. Then, insert a 3 x '4 gang' switch (1 x connects to HU, 1 x connects to line in, 1 x connects back to CD changer). Now, depending on the position of the switch, you can have either line in or CD changer... in theory :)

Will post findings.......

BmwAudio32 06-23-2009 08:17 AM

Yes, thats correct, you would need a slightly more complicated version of my switch that turns two circuits simultaneously when switched.


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