Adding a glove box USB outlet

[Technic]

Originally Posted by Warranty Pussy

What's the point of this. There is a USB easily accessible in the armrest.

If you have one USB device to be connected then yes, there is no point. Otherwise yes, there is a point in having the two USB ports standard in the car accessible for two devices without the need of the snap in adapter.

[thisaccountisdeleted]

Originally Posted by DFozzy

Thanks technic and brady1984, this was a great change!

i did this today. less than 30 mins from start to finish.

the trickiest part was feeding the cable from the glovebox to the back of the radio. i fed through a scrap piece of stiff electrical wire first and then pulled the usb cable through. i used the cheaper cable and shaved off the guides with a pocket knife.

[rebirth24]

So who is going to come up with a way to split those USB connections so I can still use my Snap-In adapter + 2 USB connections ;-)

[Technic]

Originally Posted by rebirth24

So who is going to come up with a way to split those USB connections so I can still use my Snap-In adapter + 2 USB connections ;-)

You will need a way to split an LVDS cable first. To then find out that only two devices will be enumerated in the iDrive.

[rebirth24]

Originally Posted by Technic

You will need a way to split an LVDS cable first. To then find out that only two devices will be enumerated in the iDrive.

Only two at a time would be fine. I would just want the option of having a HDD in the glove or a guest or separate Flash drive in the arm rest while keeping the Snap-In always connected.

[///REWO]

Are there any differences between connecting your phone by USB or the Snap-in adapter? I mean function wise?

[Technic]

Originally Posted by ///REWO

Are there any differences between connecting your phone by USB or the Snap-in adapter? I mean function wise?

No, it is the exact same USB port -if you are referring to moving the snap in USB to the glovebox in this thread.

[///REWO]

No i've read that if your phone is connected by using the snap in adapter you gain some extra functions like improved phone reception and such, do you still have those functions when you connect your phone through a USb port?

[Technic]

Originally Posted by ///REWO

No i've read that if your phone is connected by using the snap in adapter you gain some extra functions like improved phone reception and such, do you still have those functions when you connect your phone through a USb port?

Obviously, there is no inductive antenna without the baseplate. But that is no USB feature, that is a baseplate feature.

[rubber_ducky]

does anybody have any tricks to fish the cable from the glovebox to the headunit? I tried to do this with a wire hanger and I was hardly able to make it through. I see that somebody used a large zip-tie, maybe I try that, but I'm open to other tips.

I'm willing to take out the glove box, but it seems that nobody has blazed that trail as of yet.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by rubber_ducky

does anybody have any tricks to fish the cable from the glovebox to the headunit? I tried to do this with a wire hanger and I was hardly able to make it through. I see that somebody used a large zip-tie, maybe I try that, but I'm open to other tips.

I'm willing to take out the glove box, but it seems that nobody has blazed that trail as of yet.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_042DM45..._worm&skipvs=T

[RodimusPrime98]

Are you aware of what the purpose of the filter circuit is for? Brady posted after this that he thought it would be faster to use the USB2 (more expensive version of the cable), any truth to this? I am just trying to understand better why one cable would have a filter and one would not. If the more expensive one is faster or provides more power to the USB device it might be worth it to me. On a side note, do we know if these are USB 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0 connections?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Technic

ECS sent you the USB2 cable (P/N-445, the ~$100 cable) instead of the USB1 (-703, ~$50), that's why.

The main difference between both cables is a filter circuit in the USB1.

Good job!

[psedog]

Originally Posted by Brady1984

OK, I trust you Technic so I am going to try this. Parts on order:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Site...294/ES2599684/
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Site...703/ES2643630/

For those interested in spending some extra money the USB2 P/N is 61119322445
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Site...445/ES2859788/

I found this one on eBay for $17 shipped. It looks like the usb2 cable. If it isn't then I'm only out $17. I ordered the net and USB port from ECS. I'll report back whether it worked or not.

https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/391421940194

[psedog]

Of course, it wasn't the right cable. I ordered the cable from the older CIC unit (blue connector instead of curry). I trimmed down the head unit side. USB still didn't work. Pulled out my multimeter. Found the pins were 180 out. Pulled off the connector on the USB side. Tested the connection without the plastic case. Worked perfectly so I pulled out my dremel and drilled through the angled corner. Now it's back together and working flawlessly. Not bad for $17







I also noticed in the other thread that the pictures showing how to remove the part below the radio didn't really show the clips. I used blue masking tape to keep from marring up my interior.

[psedog]

Take that back. It works with my SD card and phone, but not my hard drive. The hard drive only works from the center console. I wonder if the two data pins are switched as well. I have a 250GB SSD that I'm going to test. Just need a case for it.

[zcspec]

Reviving this thread for just a bit...thanks to the pioneers who established this mod. I followed the guides and ordered the necessary parts. On a scale of 1 to 10, this project is about a 3 in terms of skill set. As mentioned prior by another member, fished the wire from the head unit to the square USB cable port was the most difficult part. Now I have 2 powered USB ports. One for my iPod, and the power to charge my phone. Thanks again for the DIY!

[NorCal f80]

sorry if ive missed it but whats the cost on this?

[ramez75]

I have a 2015 F06 (640iX). I would like to add the USB in the glovebox. I couldn't find any information pertaining to F06. I believe the 2013 use to have one in the glove box. I checked mine and I have the opening where there use to be a USB. Right now it's just an opening doesn't even have the plastic cover.
So my question can I add it. Does the NBT I have able to accomdate the 2nd USB.....also what parts do I get. I guess I can see what a 2013 uses and buy the same

Also how to remove the NBT on an F06, I can't find any instructions or youtube.....is it similar to other chassis

Any info on this greatly appreciated.

RB

[psedog]

Originally Posted by ramez75

I have a 2015 F06 (640iX). I would like to add the USB in the glovebox. I couldn't find any information pertaining to F06. I believe the 2013 use to have one in the glove box. I checked mine and I have the opening where there use to be a USB. Right now it's just an opening doesn't even have the plastic cover.
So my question can I add it. Does the NBT I have able to accomdate the 2nd USB.....also what parts do I get. I guess I can see what a 2013 uses and buy the same

Also how to remove the NBT on an F06, I can't find any instructions or youtube.....is it similar to other chassis

Any info on this greatly appreciated.

RB

So, checking RealOem. I had to guess since it says 2015 had an LCI in feb, so I put that model in. It shows 2 head unit types. One type is the same as a 2/3/4 series. The other one is the same as a 5/6/7 series. I think it's a safe bet that you have the port.

1 better. Just hit up eBay and searched for F06 head unit. Looks like you do have the ports.

[psedog]

Originally Posted by ramez75

I have a 2015 F06 (640iX). I would like to add the USB in the glovebox. I couldn't find any information pertaining to F06. I believe the 2013 use to have one in the glove box. I checked mine and I have the opening where there use to be a USB. Right now it's just an opening doesn't even have the plastic cover.
So my question can I add it. Does the NBT I have able to accomdate the 2nd USB.....also what parts do I get. I guess I can see what a 2013 uses and buy the same

Also how to remove the NBT on an F06, I can't find any instructions or youtube.....is it similar to other chassis

Any info on this greatly appreciated.

RB

Better yet. I searched for F06 NBT and it looks the same as ours.