Yikes! Did I crimp a fiber optic cable?!?

jonnones · 01-04-2011, 01:48 PM

So I rerouted my satelite prep wires from the left-side (driver's side) trunk compartment to the center trunk compartment where my Bluetooth module lives, and now my Bluetooth doesn't work. (For more info about why I did this, see this thread: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...=1#post8582800.)

In order to get enough slack on the wires, I had to tug a bit. I wasn't tugging specifically on the green fiber optic cables, but I don't know if I crimped my Bluetooth wires accidentally. Everything else seems to work, radio, CD player, just unable to pair with my phone now. I suddenly feel very ill.

Later today, I'm going to double-check the connections to the Bluetooth module. If those are fine, I'll do the arduous task of taking out my back seats (not flip down), and check the MOST Bus junction box in case I pulled out a wire.

Has this happened to anyone? What am I looking at if I did crimp a fiber optic cable?

GenePoole · 01-04-2011, 02:01 PM

If it had anything to do with the fiber connections, then nothing on the MOST bus would work (radio, cd, even the seat-belt gong). More likely, you disturbed some other non-fiber connection to the MULF, possibly the BT antenna.

jonnones · 01-04-2011, 03:09 PM

Thanks for the info. That rules one thing out. Is there a way to troubleshoot whether the BT antenna was disconnected?

GenePoole · 01-04-2011, 03:47 PM

The antenna connections are all on the same end and easily visible:

jonnones · 01-04-2011, 03:57 PM

Thanks again. These look fine to me, but I do remember pulling on the satelite antenna wire to get a little more slack. Is it possible that I disconnected something in the fin on the roof?

GenePoole · 01-04-2011, 04:19 PM

I don't think BT uses the fin. I believe it is inside the car under the rear panel behind the rear seat headrests.

Here's an idea: try to pair the phone while holding it very close to the MULF unit. Even with a disconnected antenna, it should work that close.

jonnones · 01-04-2011, 05:03 PM

Crisis averted! After unsuccessfully trying to pair my phone over and over again (even though it's set to do this automatically), I trying rebooting. Fixed! All I did was turn off and turn on my phone and now everything is okay again. This has never happened before, so I was sure I screwed something up with the wires. Thanks so much for the input, GenePoole.

01-04-2011, 01:48 PM	#1
jonnones Enlisted Member 9 Rep 43 Posts Drives: BMW 2016 340i (F30) Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Redmond, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	Yikes! Did I crimp a fiber optic cable?!? So I rerouted my satelite prep wires from the left-side (driver's side) trunk compartment to the center trunk compartment where my Bluetooth module lives, and now my Bluetooth doesn't work. (For more info about why I did this, see this thread: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...=1#post8582800.) In order to get enough slack on the wires, I had to tug a bit. I wasn't tugging specifically on the green fiber optic cables, but I don't know if I crimped my Bluetooth wires accidentally. Everything else seems to work, radio, CD player, just unable to pair with my phone now. I suddenly feel very ill. Later today, I'm going to double-check the connections to the Bluetooth module. If those are fine, I'll do the arduous task of taking out my back seats (not flip down), and check the MOST Bus junction box in case I pulled out a wire. Has this happened to anyone? What am I looking at if I did crimp a fiber optic cable?
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01-04-2011, 02:01 PM	#2
GenePoole Lieutenant 46 Rep 541 Posts Drives: 2012 F30 328i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Brighton, IL iTrader: (0)	If it had anything to do with the fiber connections, then nothing on the MOST bus would work (radio, cd, even the seat-belt gong). More likely, you disturbed some other non-fiber connection to the MULF, possibly the BT antenna.
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01-04-2011, 03:09 PM	#3
jonnones Enlisted Member 9 Rep 43 Posts Drives: BMW 2016 340i (F30) Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Redmond, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	Thanks for the info. That rules one thing out. Is there a way to troubleshoot whether the BT antenna was disconnected?
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01-04-2011, 03:47 PM	#4
GenePoole Lieutenant 46 Rep 541 Posts Drives: 2012 F30 328i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Brighton, IL iTrader: (0)	The antenna connections are all on the same end and easily visible: Attached Images
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01-04-2011, 03:57 PM	#5
jonnones Enlisted Member 9 Rep 43 Posts Drives: BMW 2016 340i (F30) Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Redmond, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	Thanks again. These look fine to me, but I do remember pulling on the satelite antenna wire to get a little more slack. Is it possible that I disconnected something in the fin on the roof?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-04-2011, 04:19 PM	#6
GenePoole Lieutenant 46 Rep 541 Posts Drives: 2012 F30 328i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Brighton, IL iTrader: (0)	I don't think BT uses the fin. I believe it is inside the car under the rear panel behind the rear seat headrests. Here's an idea: try to pair the phone while holding it very close to the MULF unit. Even with a disconnected antenna, it should work that close.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-04-2011, 05:03 PM	#7
jonnones Enlisted Member 9 Rep 43 Posts Drives: BMW 2016 340i (F30) Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Redmond, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	Crisis averted! After unsuccessfully trying to pair my phone over and over again (even though it's set to do this automatically), I trying rebooting. Fixed! All I did was turn off and turn on my phone and now everything is okay again. This has never happened before, so I was sure I screwed something up with the wires. Thanks so much for the input, GenePoole.
	Appreciate 0 Quote