MINI R56 ANDROID HEADUNIT INSTALLATION

8974 Views 278 Replies 14 Participants Last post by Mike8080, 6 d ago

pangster

Discussion Starter · 5 mo ago

4

Yesterday was a pretty productive day for me - I eventually got around to installing my new android head unit in my 2007 Mini Cooper S. I've installed a lot of car stereos to different cars over the years - but this was probably the most time consuming one - mainly due to the fact you have to strip a good bit of the dashboard out to actually fit it - it's not difficult, just time consuming and finicky - its a lot easier if you have the right tools though - so if you;re thinking about doing this - invest in proper trim removal tools and a T20 and T30 screwdriver.

The reason I went for this particular head unit is because it is the most OEM looking one i could find and also has the option to display the speed in MPH or KM/H - most options don't look OEM and only show KM/H.. I have to say that it's an amazing bit of kit - I had missed Apple CarPlay since getting rid of my Golf R MK7.5 and this brings the Mini right up to date - the bonus being it's also wireless Apple CarPlay! - it helped tidy up my interior a bit as i no longer needed my phone mount and it replaced a Highway DAB 600 BT handsfree and DAB stereo unit I had been using.

The sound quality even on stock speakers is amazing! - the built-in EQ is accurate and adjustable/customisable and i honestly didn't think stock speakers could sound this good.

Car Vehicle Speedometer Motor vehicle Plant

Speedometer Vehicle Motor vehicle Odometer Steering part

Speedometer Vehicle Car Automotive design Motor vehicle

Speedometer Vehicle Trip computer Odometer Car

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HornBlowR

· #261 · 13 d ago (Edited)

Mel said:
The four pin connector on the camera can cause problems make sure the pins are straight and make proper connections and that the arrows line up. I am you have checked this but worth a second look.

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I did check that. On top of that, I tried two different cameras.

I'm thinking that my problem has something to do with the RCA wiring harness as I don't get voltage from there. I've checked the connections there as well. No bent pins and securely seated. Either that or something not setup correctly in the software.

KeithyCoop

· #262 · 13 d ago

HornBlowR said:
Thanks for your reply. Yes, I did check that. On top of that, I tried two different cameras.

I'm thinking that my problem has something to do with the RCA wiring harness as I don't get voltage from there. I've checked the connections there as well. No bent pins and securely seated. Either that or something not setup correctly in the software.

The 12v camera wire to the head unit is likely to be a 12v feed to the head unit, not from it. That’s usually taken from the reverse lamp positive cable so the stereo knows to turn to camera mode.

If you have tried 2 different cameras you need to try the whole loom as the connectors may look the same, but may be wired differently, I had this happen to me.

Your camera should be using a PAL signal, or at least that’s the common format. If it is, then the head unit may need its camera signal input changed to PAL. I fitted an android stereo to one of my cars with a factory camera and had to change the setting.

Here’s a link to my how to guide, your android stereo may be similar to set up.

www.focusrsoc.com

Fitting an android stereo to a mk2 Focus RS

I realise this is nothing new, but having completed this conversion over the last few days there were a few learnings I thought I’d share. Thanks to @wildrain for his help when asked. My car is a lux2 model, thus some parts are specific to that spec, where possible I’ll try to point out...

www.focusrsoc.com

www.focusrsoc.com

Good luck

HornBlowR

· #263 · 13 d ago

KeithyCoop said:
The 12v camera wire to the head unit is likely to be a 12v feed to the head unit, not from it. That’s usually taken from the reverse lamp positive cable so the stereo knows to turn to camera mode.

If you have tried 2 different cameras you need to try the whole loom as the connectors may look the same, but may be wired differently, I had this happen to me.

Your camera should be using a PAL signal, or at least that’s the common format. If it is, then the head unit may need its camera signal input changed to PAL. I fitted an android stereo to one of my cars with a factory camera and had to change the setting.

Here’s a link to my how to guide, your android stereo may be similar to set up.

Fitting an android stereo to a mk2 Focus RS

I realise this is nothing new, but having completed this conversion over the last few days there were a few learnings I thought I’d share. Thanks to @wildrain for his help when asked. My car is a lux2 model, thus some parts are specific to that spec, where possible I’ll try to point out...

www.focusrsoc.com

Good luck

Thanks for clarifying that the 12v lead from the head unit needs to be connected to the camera's power. The install instructions for the camera were poorly translated which added to my confusion.

Hoping that would be the the "ah-ha" moment, I connected the wire properly but no joy.

I may have a bum camera. Of course I returned the other one so I will order another.

Not ready to give up yet.

KeithyCoop

· #264 · 13 d ago

HornBlowR said:
Thanks for clarifying that the 12v lead from the head unit needs to be connected to the camera's power. The install instructions for the camera were poorly translated which added to my confusion.

Hoping that would be the the "ah-ha" moment, I connected the wire properly but no joy.

I may have a bum camera. Of course I returned the other one so I will order another.

Not ready to give up yet.

No, the camera needs a 12v supply from the reverse light to turn it on/off, the same 12v feed from the reverse light needs to go to the head unit so it knows to switch to reverse camera mode when reverse is selected.

HornBlowR

· #265 · 13 d ago

KeithyCoop said:
No, the camera needs a 12v supply from the reverse light to turn it on/off, the same 12v feed from the reverse light needs to go to the head unit so it knows to switch to reverse camera mode when reverse is selected.

That's the way I have it wired now. "Camera's power" was referring to the feed from the reverse light.

Reactions: 1

Mel

· #266 · 13 d ago

The pic is of my wiring loom, cam 12v is power from the unit and cam v speaks for itself other than a -ve thats it. I did use a more expensive cam but that should not make a difference.

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HornBlowR

· #267 · 13 d ago

Mel said:
The pic is of my wiring loom, cam 12v is power from the unit and cam v speaks for itself other than a -ve thats it. I did use a more expensive cam but that should not make a difference.

I have the same wiring harness as you but everywhere I look, that Cam 12V wire is not live. I've checked it myself with a volt meter and I get no reading from that wire even in reverse.

I just got a response from Aliexpress and they have confirmed that. They say that I need to tap into the reverse light.

I don't know how you got it to work as you describe but it doesn't for me.

Mel

· #268 · 12 d ago

HornBlowR said:
I have the same wiring harness as you but everywhere I look, that Cam 12V wire is not live. I've checked it myself with a volt meter and I get no reading from that wire even in reverse.

I just got a response from Aliexpress and they have confirmed that. They say that I need to tap into the reverse light.

I don't know how you got it to work as you describe but it doesn't for me.

I have attached some photos of my conversations with my supplier Oudian, on the second pic you will see there is a different type of harness for the reverse cam, if you have that then worth a try.
As you can see my supplier contradicts yours and the hardware seems to change spec without the details being available. I will help as much as I can but as I said these cameras are not that good and are useful for seeing obstructions but not for perceiving distance and therfore not worth the effort you are putting into it also unless you shim the camera the rearward view will be too short.
The best camera is your eyes.

Mel

· #269 · 12 d ago

3

Mel said:
I have attached some photos of my conversations with my supplier Oudian, on the second pic you will see there is a different type of harness for the reverse cam, if you have that then worth a try.
As you can see my supplier contradicts yours and the hardware seems to change spec without the details being available. I will help as much as I can but as I said these cameras are not that good and are useful for seeing obstructions but not for perceiving distance and therfore not worth the effort you are putting into it also unless you shim the camera the rearward view will be too short.
The best camera is your eyes.

Attached now

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HornBlowR

· #270 · 12 d ago

Mel said:
Attached now

Mel, I appreciate your help on this matter. I've gotten a bit obsessive about having a backup camera. Your point about the limited advantage to having one is not lost on me.

I'm going to give it one more try with a new camera arriving today. If that doesn't work, I'm going to put my MINI back together and just be happy with having the Android unit replacing the silly center mounted speedo.

Cheers.

Mel

· #271 · 12 d ago

Without the camera the units are still worthwhile, let us know how you get on 😀

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Mel

· #272 · 8 d ago

Out of interest has any one set up a dash cam to one of these units ?

George1

· #273 · 8 d ago

No, but I have ordered one of these. I've had enough of the Chinese sounding chimes

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

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E-R53

· #274 · 8 d ago

George1 said:
I've had enough of the Chinese sounding chimes

WTF is a "chinese sounding chime" does it have an accent or something?

George1

· #275 · 8 d ago

I was just joking. The chimes kind of let the unit down a bit. They sound cheap and the sound byte they've used is the wrong length. It's the kind of warning chime I would imagine you might get in a ChangLi Nemica or something.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

Mel

· #276 · 7 d ago

George1 said:
I was just joking. The chimes kind of let the unit down a bit. They sound cheap and the sound byte they've used is the wrong length. It's the kind of warning chime I would imagine you might get in a ChangLi Nemica or something.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

Hi George,
Keep us informed, I am interested in getting this myself.

Mel.

Reactions: 1

Mike8080

· #277 · 7 d ago

Had my unit crash on Saturday. Started the car up as usual but the headunit didn’t start up, but was showing the fuel bars etc at the top. Stopped the engine, removed the key and started back up but the screen still didn’t start up. We carried on with our journey and after a while the indicator chimes and the fuel bars went out! Managed to find something to poke in the reset hole, and it sprung to life again, so that was a relief! It has started up correctly since, so hopefully just a blip.

Mel

· #278 · 7 d ago

stupid question possibly where is the reset hole ?

Mike8080

· #279 · 6 d ago

Mel said:
stupid question possibly where is the reset hole ?

On the separate CD player below the screen, there is a small hole on the right hand side small enough to get a paper clip or something that size in. The hole on the left is the microphone.

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