Sirius antenna to sharkfin.. minor details

Fresh330 · 07-16-2009, 08:27 AM

I've been researching like a mad man on how I could hardwire my Sportster 4radio in my e90 to look as clean as possible.

My only question lies with running the extension cable to the sharkfin. This thread has been a good reference: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...light=hardwire

They recommended going to this site to get the extension cable: http://www.techtoolsupply.com/index....OD&ProdID=1556

Now I know I need SMB connectors at each end. The only that will hook into the car kit base need to be a right angle. The other end I would like to directly connect tot he pink antenna cable that leads tot he sharkfin.

I can't really determine if I need male or female ends for either side? Also, a poster on the thread said 6' is enough but barely so I'd go with 8'. Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks in advance.

Fresh330 · 07-17-2009, 07:58 AM

Just a follow up question but I have an 2/2006 build date and sat. prep e90. When I looked at the wire harness in the back, I didn't see the pink antenna cable everyone has. I did see a grey connector with two black wires and it kinda looks like a coax cable connector.

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

bolty · 07-17-2009, 08:03 AM

pictures pls.

Iam about to go down this road soon.

Fresh330 · 07-17-2009, 10:18 AM

I have pics of the antenna cable but I'm at work. i'll get them up this weekend.

Once the extended antenna cable and audio cable come in I'll document my install.

listerone · 07-19-2009, 03:37 PM

Just bought my '09 E90 without Sirius...too much money for a service that's likely to go belly-up soon.I did,however,buy a portable XM unit with a car adapter kit.I'd love to be able to hook the shark fin up to it as its antenna.Is this possible...and if so,how? TIA!

Fresh330 · 07-21-2009, 12:27 PM

Update: So far the antenna extension cable cale in and 3.5mm stereo cable. I'm waiting on the 5v cigarette power cord to come in. My car kit came with one but I left it in my Jeep when I sold it for the bimmer (doh!).

In the mean time, I was playing around with the extension cable and the male end fits into the sharkfin cable end. My cale sharkfin has two cable so I just need to figure out which one is which.

Everything should be in this week so hopefully I can get to the install over the weekend.

f30er · 07-21-2009, 07:22 PM

Have fun! It's a really easy install!

What I wound up doing was I bought the sunglass tray from the dealer and replaced the ashtray with it. I bought the Monster Sirius antenna extension kit and then ran all the cables to their respective places. I then got a small piece of Styrofoam that could fit into the sunglasses tray, and just kept shaving it down slowly until I could put the Starmate 4 right on top so that it was angled a little forward with enough room for the lid to close.

I'll post some pics in a few hours...

jpsum · 07-21-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fresh330

I've been researching like a mad man on how I could hardwire my Sportster 4radio in my e90 to look as clean as possible.

My only question lies with running the extension cable to the sharkfin. This thread has been a good reference: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...light=hardwire

They recommended going to this site to get the extension cable: http://www.techtoolsupply.com/index....OD&ProdID=1556

Now I know I need SMB connectors at each end. The only that will hook into the car kit base need to be a right angle. The other end I would like to directly connect tot he pink antenna cable that leads tot he sharkfin.

I can't really determine if I need male or female ends for either side? Also, a poster on the thread said 6' is enough but barely so I'd go with 8'. Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks in advance.

I got the 8' with male connector on both ends.

Fresh330 · 07-25-2009, 07:54 PM

Here are the materials used:
Sirius Sportster 4 radio
Car kit dock
5v Sirius cigarette power cord - replacement from eBay
3.5mm audio cable - bought a 6 ft. cable from eBay
10 ft. antenna extension right angle female to male - www.cdint.com

I started by hooking up the male end of the antenna to the sharkfin connector in the trunk. My build date had two ends that led to the sharkfin.

Next, I ran the extension cable through the right back seat and under to the middle seat to the center console. As you can see the below picture, I exposed the wire between the back seat and center console. Should have bought a longer cable so I could run it under the front passenger seat. No big deal to me. This was feed behind the climate controls and radio to the top of the vent.

The audio cable went right to the AUX input. I decided not to hard wire the power. Two reasons: A) Didn't want to solder wires to the ashtray lighter B) Like having constant power while the cars off. If I decide I need the power in the center console I could always hardwire.

Since I already had the sportster radio, it would be too bulky for the ashtray mount. Plus I wanted to keep the ashtray, maybe replace it with the sunglasses holder. I like how it's center mounted.

Anyway, hope you enjoy the pictures. Let know your thoughts and comments.

listerone · 07-29-2009, 07:40 PM

Hey,"fresh"...I'd like to do the same kind of thing with my new XM portable unit that you did....hook the antenna cable up to the sharkfin antenna.The connection you show (3rd of the 5 photos) is in the trunk? And did you find that splitter-looking device in the trunk or did you buy it? I'm not completely helpless with electronics but am no expert either.Any thoughts/advice? TIA.

Fresh330 · 07-29-2009, 09:28 PM

The splitter already exists. Lift the floor off your truck and look for a cable that has pink connector end (since you have an '09). That will connect to the sharkfin.

Then, all you need is a extension cable.

JayKay335i · 07-30-2009, 01:36 AM

Get a longer extension and run that wire under your seats and under the door sill to the trunk. It'll look much cleaner. Also look up universal mounts. They look a lot cleaner. I installed an aftermarket unit and it mounts just to the right of the hvac controls with no drilling. Looks fresh to death and hides the wires.

Fresh330 · 07-30-2009, 09:42 AM

Where did you get your mount? I was iffy about that because I didn't know if I'd like the angle.

Also, from you mount, where did your wire(s) run from the unit to the dashboard?

listerone · 07-30-2009, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fresh330

That will connect to the sharkfin.

Outstanding! Thanks much.

JayKay335i · 07-30-2009, 11:21 PM

I dont remember unfortunately. The wires fit between where the dash snaps back together. Looks pretty damn clean. PM me and I can take some pictures.

bolty · 07-31-2009, 11:21 AM

Here's mine. OP, I hope you dont mind me jacking your thread for a lil bit.

Iam sorry I dont have better pics, so consider this a teaser.

This is my progress so far, and I'm still waiting on more parts to arrive. Better pictures when everything is done.

I wanted a stealth hardwire install so I went and got the smallest amber coloured unit that Sirius offered. It also happened to be the cheapest

I ordered the sunglass holder from Tischer, and it fits just nicely. I took out the circuit board from the docking station and dremeled out a corresponding hole in the sunglass holder.

So far, its turned out pretty good:

Fresh330 · 07-31-2009, 12:45 PM

Wow, looks very sharp bolty.

I think my headunit is too big to mount in the ashtray.

Let me ask you: How do you plan on hardwiring the power? I can't really tell which is positive and ground on the wires that connect to the cig lgihter.

bolty · 07-31-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fresh330

Wow, looks very sharp bolty.

I think my headunit is too big to mount in the ashtray.

Let me ask you: How do you plan on hardwiring the power? I can't really tell which is positive and ground on the wires that connect to the cig lgihter.

The tip is positive.

I was going to tap into the cig lighter that used to be in the ashtray.

JayKay335i · 07-31-2009, 08:53 PM

I suggest searching around and figuring out which wire to tap into. I let a buddy do mine since he claimed that he does BMWs all the time. Tapped the 12v cig lighter like an ass and it turns off whenever I shut the car off. I have to press the ignition twice to turn it on without starting the car. I'll email you some pictures tomorrow once its sunny out.

rrichard · 08-14-2009, 10:47 PM

I have an 06 E90 without SAT prep, am I to understand the conector is in my car to hook up to the shark fin antenna?
I think I am going to do the after market in the ashtray trick.
Thanks for all of the great info!

Borsig · 08-15-2009, 12:26 AM

If you dont have the pink plug in the trunk - then theres a seperate DIY for you.

Im actually looking for an antenna extention cable for my XM now so I can finish my install.

bmrcfreak · 03-06-2010, 02:55 PM

I cannot find the Sharkfin connector ANYWHERE in the trunk!?!?

I even took out the existing module and looked all around it thinking maybe it got tucked underneath it or something, and nothing. I looked on the left side of the trunk too where the CD Changer would go, unwrapped a couple bundles and nothing. Am I missing something?

TIA

07-16-2009, 08:27 AM	#1
Fresh330 It is what it is 20 Rep 303 Posts Drives: '06 330xi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	Sirius antenna to sharkfin.. minor details I've been researching like a mad man on how I could hardwire my Sportster 4radio in my e90 to look as clean as possible. My only question lies with running the extension cable to the sharkfin. This thread has been a good reference: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...light=hardwire They recommended going to this site to get the extension cable: http://www.techtoolsupply.com/index....OD&ProdID=1556 Now I know I need SMB connectors at each end. The only that will hook into the car kit base need to be a right angle. The other end I would like to directly connect tot he pink antenna cable that leads tot he sharkfin. I can't really determine if I need male or female ends for either side? Also, a poster on the thread said 6' is enough but barely so I'd go with 8'. Can anyone confirm this? Thanks in advance.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

07-17-2009, 07:58 AM	#2
Fresh330 It is what it is 20 Rep 303 Posts Drives: '06 330xi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	Just a follow up question but I have an 2/2006 build date and sat. prep e90. When I looked at the wire harness in the back, I didn't see the pink antenna cable everyone has. I did see a grey connector with two black wires and it kinda looks like a coax cable connector. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-17-2009, 08:03 AM	#3
bolty /r/trees 50 Rep 875 Posts Drives: 08 e92 335xi Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (3)	pictures pls. Iam about to go down this road soon.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-17-2009, 10:18 AM	#4
Fresh330 It is what it is 20 Rep 303 Posts Drives: '06 330xi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	I have pics of the antenna cable but I'm at work. i'll get them up this weekend. Once the extended antenna cable and audio cable come in I'll document my install.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-19-2009, 03:37 PM	#5
listerone First Lieutenant 10 Rep 345 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW 540d Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	Just bought my '09 E90 without Sirius...too much money for a service that's likely to go belly-up soon.I did,however,buy a portable XM unit with a car adapter kit.I'd love to be able to hook the shark fin up to it as its antenna.Is this possible...and if so,how? TIA!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-21-2009, 12:27 PM	#6
Fresh330 It is what it is 20 Rep 303 Posts Drives: '06 330xi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	Update: So far the antenna extension cable cale in and 3.5mm stereo cable. I'm waiting on the 5v cigarette power cord to come in. My car kit came with one but I left it in my Jeep when I sold it for the bimmer (doh!). In the mean time, I was playing around with the extension cable and the male end fits into the sharkfin cable end. My cale sharkfin has two cable so I just need to figure out which one is which. Everything should be in this week so hopefully I can get to the install over the weekend.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-21-2009, 07:22 PM	#7
f30er Captain 126 Rep 993 Posts Drives: F85 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: OTP iTrader: (6) Garage List 2014 Jaguar F-Type R [0.00] 2016 GMC Yukon XL [0.00] 2018 BMW X5M [0.00]	Have fun! It's a really easy install! What I wound up doing was I bought the sunglass tray from the dealer and replaced the ashtray with it. I bought the Monster Sirius antenna extension kit and then ran all the cables to their respective places. I then got a small piece of Styrofoam that could fit into the sunglasses tray, and just kept shaving it down slowly until I could put the Starmate 4 right on top so that it was angled a little forward with enough room for the lid to close. I'll post some pics in a few hours...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-25-2009, 07:54 PM	#9
Fresh330 It is what it is 20 Rep 303 Posts Drives: '06 330xi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	Update: Install Completed Here are the materials used: Sirius Sportster 4 radio Car kit dock 5v Sirius cigarette power cord - replacement from eBay 3.5mm audio cable - bought a 6 ft. cable from eBay 10 ft. antenna extension right angle female to male - www.cdint.com I started by hooking up the male end of the antenna to the sharkfin connector in the trunk. My build date had two ends that led to the sharkfin. Next, I ran the extension cable through the right back seat and under to the middle seat to the center console. As you can see the below picture, I exposed the wire between the back seat and center console. Should have bought a longer cable so I could run it under the front passenger seat. No big deal to me. This was feed behind the climate controls and radio to the top of the vent. The audio cable went right to the AUX input. I decided not to hard wire the power. Two reasons: A) Didn't want to solder wires to the ashtray lighter B) Like having constant power while the cars off. If I decide I need the power in the center console I could always hardwire. Since I already had the sportster radio, it would be too bulky for the ashtray mount. Plus I wanted to keep the ashtray, maybe replace it with the sunglasses holder. I like how it's center mounted. Anyway, hope you enjoy the pictures. Let know your thoughts and comments. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-29-2009, 07:40 PM	#10
listerone First Lieutenant 10 Rep 345 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW 540d Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	Hey,"fresh"...I'd like to do the same kind of thing with my new XM portable unit that you did....hook the antenna cable up to the sharkfin antenna.The connection you show (3rd of the 5 photos) is in the trunk? And did you find that splitter-looking device in the trunk or did you buy it? I'm not completely helpless with electronics but am no expert either.Any thoughts/advice? TIA.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-29-2009, 09:28 PM	#11
Fresh330 It is what it is 20 Rep 303 Posts Drives: '06 330xi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	The splitter already exists. Lift the floor off your truck and look for a cable that has pink connector end (since you have an '09). That will connect to the sharkfin. Then, all you need is a extension cable.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-30-2009, 01:36 AM	#12
JayKay335i Banned 189 Rep 5,046 Posts Drives: ///M323 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Dakota; its best DUHHHHHH iTrader: (1)	Get a longer extension and run that wire under your seats and under the door sill to the trunk. It'll look much cleaner. Also look up universal mounts. They look a lot cleaner. I installed an aftermarket unit and it mounts just to the right of the hvac controls with no drilling. Looks fresh to death and hides the wires.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-30-2009, 09:42 AM	#13
Fresh330 It is what it is 20 Rep 303 Posts Drives: '06 330xi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	Where did you get your mount? I was iffy about that because I didn't know if I'd like the angle. Also, from you mount, where did your wire(s) run from the unit to the dashboard?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-30-2009, 11:21 PM	#15
JayKay335i Banned 189 Rep 5,046 Posts Drives: ///M323 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Dakota; its best DUHHHHHH iTrader: (1)	I dont remember unfortunately. The wires fit between where the dash snaps back together. Looks pretty damn clean. PM me and I can take some pictures.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-31-2009, 11:21 AM	#16
bolty /r/trees 50 Rep 875 Posts Drives: 08 e92 335xi Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (3)	Here's mine. OP, I hope you dont mind me jacking your thread for a lil bit. Iam sorry I dont have better pics, so consider this a teaser. This is my progress so far, and I'm still waiting on more parts to arrive. Better pictures when everything is done. I wanted a stealth hardwire install so I went and got the smallest amber coloured unit that Sirius offered. It also happened to be the cheapest I ordered the sunglass holder from Tischer, and it fits just nicely. I took out the circuit board from the docking station and dremeled out a corresponding hole in the sunglass holder. So far, its turned out pretty good:
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-31-2009, 12:45 PM	#17
Fresh330 It is what it is 20 Rep 303 Posts Drives: '06 330xi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	Wow, looks very sharp bolty. I think my headunit is too big to mount in the ashtray. Let me ask you: How do you plan on hardwiring the power? I can't really tell which is positive and ground on the wires that connect to the cig lgihter.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-31-2009, 08:53 PM	#19
JayKay335i Banned 189 Rep 5,046 Posts Drives: ///M323 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Dakota; its best DUHHHHHH iTrader: (1)	I suggest searching around and figuring out which wire to tap into. I let a buddy do mine since he claimed that he does BMWs all the time. Tapped the 12v cig lighter like an ass and it turns off whenever I shut the car off. I have to press the ignition twice to turn it on without starting the car. I'll email you some pictures tomorrow once its sunny out. Last edited by JayKay335i; 08-03-2009 at 09:37 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-14-2009, 10:47 PM	#20
rrichard Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Laconia, NH iTrader: (0)	I have an 06 E90 without SAT prep, am I to understand the conector is in my car to hook up to the shark fin antenna? I think I am going to do the after market in the ashtray trick. Thanks for all of the great info!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-15-2009, 12:26 AM	#21
Borsig Captain 52 Rep 883 Posts Drives: '09 335i ///M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NC iTrader: (3)	If you dont have the pink plug in the trunk - then theres a seperate DIY for you. Im actually looking for an antenna extention cable for my XM now so I can finish my install.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-06-2010, 02:55 PM	#22
bmrcfreak Private First Class 7 Rep 149 Posts Drives: '10 335i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (3)	I cannot find the Sharkfin connector ANYWHERE in the trunk!?!? I even took out the existing module and looked all around it thinking maybe it got tucked underneath it or something, and nothing. I looked on the left side of the trunk too where the CD Changer would go, unwrapped a couple bundles and nothing. Am I missing something? TIA
	Appreciate 0 Quote