I have installed my Gateway 500, but cannot seem to get it working.

I followed the installation guide from Dension as well as the post from Muttley (btw, thank you, it was very helpful)

https://5series.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=48749

I have power going to the Gateway and am able to charge my iPod (tapped into the existing CDC power wires). The blue led on the switch is lit up. When I switch between the Gateway and the Dension, my CD player stops for a short while, and then continues playing. When the switch is on, I am unable to use anything except for "CD" in the CD menu. When I turn the switch off (blinking led), then "CD1 - CD6" become functional, and I can listen to the CDC. This leads me to believe that the unit is somehow communicating with the iDrive.

I did notice that there is a discrepancy between the way Muttley connected his fiber optic routing and the way the Dension instructions explain it. Muttley seems to have connected his Gateway using Installation Type 1, which is for Audi vehicles. I used Installation Type 2A, which according to the instructions is for our vehicles. I'm trying to figure out if I should reconnect it the other way, or if my vehicle is not compatible with the unit.

If anyone has any experience installing one of these, please help me out.

Here are the specs to my car.
2005 545i (built 11/04)
Professional Nav
6 disc changer
front load CD and DVD
assuming I DON'T have mp3 capability
my car can read the text on burned cd's in the front load player

Also, I went to a local dealer, (Santa Monica BMW) and they told me that there was no software update available to make my car mp3 compatible. I told them that I did some research on forums, and that many people have successfully done this. They told me that they have received many inquiries similar to mine, and that it was absolutely not possible. Anyone know the real story?? Also, which is a good dealer in Socal (L.A. area) where I could have my software updated?

Thanks is advance for the help.

 

Muttley GW500 seems to be the previous model which only has one fiber port the newer GW500 model has dual port in which the other port is in use to daisy chain CDC into it.

As far as why it's not working it maybe related to the MP3 support, what's your dip switch on the GW500 module set to now?

 

1 & 2 are on, the rest are off.

 

you need MP3 coding. Tell the dealer it's on the retrofit options in progman, or refer to the attached.

 

Similar to what I got except #6 set to on 'cuz I didn't hookup the CDC.
Have you verify the fiber lookup as far as which way the light travel?

 

Thanks Felix. Any idea what a reasonable price is for the coding? Dealers around here like to go overboard with their prices.

 

I am going to double check it, but the connections seem to be foolproof.

 

I got it done during the nav retrofit, don't know how much it would have cost separately. It's a relatively short procedure on the progman, shouldn't take all day unless you've got old programming that needs updating.

 

got my dension working without the mp3 coding, but i just see track numbers but it does play music lol

need to get it coded, been saying this for 4 months lol

 

From all my research on the forum, I came to the conclusion that I would at least be able to get it working without track names. I need to check all of the fiber optic routing again.