Updated on February 24th, 2023
More and more BMW X5 E53 owners prefer to upgrading the factory car stereo with an aftermarket one which has DVD player and GPS navigation system built-in, and some would like to install the new replacement by themselves, but there may be some problems during installation if you have never installed such a unit before. We write this post to introduce you some tips on installation of such unit.
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Installation for BMW X5 e53 with business CD and radio without a wide screen:
If your BMW X5 e53 just comes with factory car radio and CD player in dash, there’s a plastic cage inside of the dashboard as you can see after you take out the factory radio and CD, if you don’t remove this cage, you may think it does not fit into the opening of the original entry, the new navigation dvd unit can not be pushed entirely into the dashboard, see pics below:
Don’t worry, there are two methods which can allow you to push the new BMW X5 head unit into the dashboard fully. Some installers just cut the plastic cage, and others remove it.
How does it look like after cutting the cage? See below:
In order to remove the plastic cage, firstly take off the 4 screws that hold the cage in place, 2 on the right side, and 2 on the left side (same as right side). The following pictures are for your reference:
You need to pull down and slightly left the dash part which is close to the steering wheel. When you are doing this, use your other hand to push down in the middle of the opening where the cage is, and as you opened/pulled the dash/trim this far, you are able to hold it with one hand in this position and start wiggling the cage with your other hand. When are doing this, some force is necessary, but not too much. Once you start playing with it, you will get the jest on how to pull out the hooks, then as you have the left hook out, you now pull to a side and down on the right side (glove compartment side) to clear the other hook.
Once you removed the plastic cage, you are able to push into the new unit into the dash fully.
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Installation for BMW X5 e53 with a wide screen or navigation
If your BMW X5 E53 comes with factory navigation system, there’s a large screen in the dash, the 17 pins(before year 2002) or 40 pins(after year 2002) plug is not at the back of your factory radio, it’s located under the trunk, so you need to use a 6m long power cable with 17 pins or 40 pins plug to connect the correct plug under the trunk.
How to run the 6m long cable to the trunk?
You can run the long wires under the carpet along the door frames, removed the back seat to get access to the trunk, and hid the wires behind the cover panel in the trunk.
How to connect loose wires?
This long cable also has some loose wires, one yellow, one black, and two white wires. The yellow and black wires should be connected to car battery, you do not need to connect extra 2 white wires.
Yellow wire: connect to 12V+ car battery
Black wire: connect to 12v- car batteryFor more information you may need on these loose wires connection, you can check DSP Wires Connection for Aftermarket BMW X5 GPS Navigation System Installation.
If you are installing an BMW X5 e53 android head unit, you can learn more information about wiring diagram and how to connect all plugs.
You can check a wiring diagram at the bottom of the unit.
About all plugs behind the unit:
How to connect all cables and plugs?
1: connect to the plug from the power cable, get power to the unit
2: connect with RCA cables
3: TV antenna
4: USB cable
5: Back Video input cable, this is for backup camera video input
6: DVR cable connect a DVR(optional)
7: NC/ USB cable
8: GPS port to connect external GPS antenna
9: WiFi port to connect external WiFi antenna
10: Radio adapter cable
From the power cables, there’s also a small white plug which is used to connect a CAN-BUS decoder box, so that steering wheel control works after installation.
Would like to buy an aftermarket BMW X5 E53 android head unit? Feel free to contact us.