Routing cable to Glovebox from Head Unit?

BeamerNub · 06-05-2018, 05:10 PM

Hello,

Go easy on me, as my username says.... I'm a n00b

Just picked up a 318i E90, enjoying it plenty

I'm UK, so it's right hand drive.

Like most people, I immediately became dissatisfied with the Professional HU and have ripped it out to install an aftermarket Android jobby, which, so far, has been surprisingly impressive.

It has a couple of USB ports on the back for extras like DAB and what not. One however, is for plug-in USB sticks and I figured the best place to route this would be through to the glovebox.

My word, I'm struggling. I've removed the cover to the fuse box thinking I would be able to twist and push it through but it's just not happening. Is there no access from the rear of the head unit to the glove box ? If not, where do people route these cables too? I'm sure there probably is a better place, but my vehicle only has the OEM Aux port, and not the OEM USB+Aux port.

Any help would be most appreciated. I will also post a very comprehensive review of the unit I bought. By the time, I'm finished I'll have downed nearly 400 quid, so it's worth me giving some feedback for others.

ctuna · 06-06-2018, 02:43 AM

Most common place to put it would be in under the center armrest.

https://www.bavauto.com/mini-auxilia...hoCVTYQAvD_BwE

If your unit has a front usb slot you can get some really low profile usb
sticks.

BeamerNub · 06-06-2018, 04:15 AM

My unit has front SD card, but not front USB. I could attempt to route the wiring through to the centre console I suppose. I will continue to look.

All signs are actually pretty positive with this unit so far, other than the fact it keeps losing connection with CANBUS if I switch the car off and switch it on before the car has fully powered down. Not sure why, going to experiment more.

BeamerNub · 06-06-2018, 05:48 AM

OK, think the canbus thing is sorted, just a glitch. Routing this wire then. I will try some more tonight with a flashlight and all the lights off as they interfere. I've read that it can be done, so I'm hoping it can be

I suppose the alternative is to do away with the cig lighter in the front of the dash and replace with one of these USB ports you can get off the internet. That really isn't my preferred option though.

06-05-2018, 05:10 PM	#1
BeamerNub Private 12 Rep 65 Posts Drives: 3 series Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: England iTrader: (0)	Routing cable to Glovebox from Head Unit? Hello, Go easy on me, as my username says.... I'm a n00b Just picked up a 318i E90, enjoying it plenty I'm UK, so it's right hand drive. Like most people, I immediately became dissatisfied with the Professional HU and have ripped it out to install an aftermarket Android jobby, which, so far, has been surprisingly impressive. It has a couple of USB ports on the back for extras like DAB and what not. One however, is for plug-in USB sticks and I figured the best place to route this would be through to the glovebox. My word, I'm struggling. I've removed the cover to the fuse box thinking I would be able to twist and push it through but it's just not happening. Is there no access from the rear of the head unit to the glove box ? If not, where do people route these cables too? I'm sure there probably is a better place, but my vehicle only has the OEM Aux port, and not the OEM USB+Aux port. Any help would be most appreciated. I will also post a very comprehensive review of the unit I bought. By the time, I'm finished I'll have downed nearly 400 quid, so it's worth me giving some feedback for others.
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06-06-2018, 02:43 AM	#2
ctuna Lieutenant General 2045 Rep 13,358 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	Most common place to put it would be in under the center armrest. https://www.bavauto.com/mini-auxilia...hoCVTYQAvD_BwE If your unit has a front usb slot you can get some really low profile usb sticks. Last edited by ctuna; 06-06-2018 at 02:49 AM..
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06-06-2018, 04:15 AM	#3
BeamerNub Private 12 Rep 65 Posts Drives: 3 series Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: England iTrader: (0)	My unit has front SD card, but not front USB. I could attempt to route the wiring through to the centre console I suppose. I will continue to look. All signs are actually pretty positive with this unit so far, other than the fact it keeps losing connection with CANBUS if I switch the car off and switch it on before the car has fully powered down. Not sure why, going to experiment more.
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06-06-2018, 05:48 AM	#4
BeamerNub Private 12 Rep 65 Posts Drives: 3 series Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: England iTrader: (0)	OK, think the canbus thing is sorted, just a glitch. Routing this wire then. I will try some more tonight with a flashlight and all the lights off as they interfere. I've read that it can be done, so I'm hoping it can be I suppose the alternative is to do away with the cig lighter in the front of the dash and replace with one of these USB ports you can get off the internet. That really isn't my preferred option though.
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