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CDX-M30 CD changer

Armand,

Did you make sure that the DIN plug is connected at the back of the head unit?  

If there has never been a CD changer in the car before, it is likely that the
DIN plug is not connected to the head unit.  Slide out your head unit far enough 
(without disconnecting anything) so that you have access to the back of the
radio.  You will find a recessed DIN plug in one of the back corners of the
radio.  If there is a plastic plug in the DIN plug, remove it from the radio and
feel around for the other end of the DIN cable laying in the opening behind the
radio (or look in the opening with a flashlight).  The cable should have a blue
DIN plug end.  Connect this to the radio, connect the other end to the changer,
connect power and then try using the CD changer again with the BAND button.

If that does not work, try to direct connect the cable that comes with the
changer to the back of the radio.  Unravel the cable and run it around the
outside of the car and plug it in the back of the radio head unit.  If the head
unit is compatible with that changer, it should definitely work if you use this
method.  

If it works using the direct connect (2nd) method and not the adapter (1st)
method, you will have to route the changer-supplied cable through your interior.

Good luck!

Regards,
Pete
90 5er
6877381@domain.elided

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Date: Monday, 12-Aug-96 08:25 AM

From: Aquino,Armand            \ Internet:    (armand_aquino@domain.elided)
To:   bmw digest               \ Internet:    (bmw-digest@domain.elided)
cc:   Peter Rhim               \ MCI Mail:    (PRhim / MCI ID: 687-7381)

Subject: Pioneer CDX-M30 CD changer

>>For all the cars with a Pioneer head unit, BMW installed a "special" 
 Pioneer DIN
cable (that had 13 pin male DIN connectors on both ends) so we (BMW owners)
could not just go out to the local radio store and get a Pioneer changer and
drop it in (like we all try to do).  Getting back to your note, I assume that
the installer connected power to the changer when he was testing it.  The only
way to test if the changer will work with the head unit is to direct 
 connect the
changer to the back of the head unit using the changer-supplied DIN cable (as
your installer did).  Then, if the changer and head unit signals are 
 compatible,
by pressing the BAND button, you can switch between FM, AM and CD.  Assuming
there was power at the changer and you were not able to select CD with the BAND
button, you may have an Alpine head unit.  If that is the case, I don't know
where to point you.  Anybody out there with an Alpine head unit in a 91 E34? 
What kind of changer do you have?  Good luck!

My friend with a 95 M3 actually has an ALPINE head unit (found out by 
 pressing "Prog" and "-" key) but with the BMW changer that was made by 
 Pioneer!!!  Yes, I'm sure.  The door of the BMW/Pioneer changer pops 
 down vs. the door of the BMW/Alpine unit slides to the right.

I just bought the Pioneer CDX-M30 for $289 at SBH Enterprise in NY.  
 But, I haven't been able to connect it yet.  I do have a cable adapter 
 by ACCELE.  I quote their instructions:

"BMW cars earlier than 1993 that are equipped with an OEM stereo Model# 
 KE83ZBM may not require this adapter.  Also, cars equipped with an OEM 
 stereo having the Model# KE91 or CM5903L MAY NOT BE ABLE to adapt to 
 the CDX-M30.  To determine compatibility, press the Program (PRO) and 
 the Minus (-) button simultaneously with the stereo on.  If Alp 5 or 
 Alpine appears on the display screen, then that particular OEM stereo 
 is INCOMPATIBLE with the Pioneer CDX-M30."

I found the power cable somewhere near the right rear speaker.  It has 
 ground and +12V.  I also found the CD cable behind the tailights.  I 
 used the adapter for the CD cable.  I plugged both connectors (the 
 power cable needed some modifying) to the CD changer and voila!  
 Nothing happened.  I can't select "CD" from the "Band" button.  Is 
 there some step I'm missing?  The changer DOES have power since it 
 does suck in the 6 disc CD cassette and checks each slot to make sure 
 there's a disc in it.

Had anyone else run into the same problem???  My tape unit Model is 
 KE93ZBM (as opposed to KE83ZBM as noted in the instructions).


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