[BlueLEDz]

Guide to add rear USB-C ports to the G42. I’ll create multiple post with the hope of having the pictures closer to the related text.

First will be the wiring harness and then the installation.

I’ll start with some background. I first hunted for which company made the usb-c module for BMW. As all these manufacturers have endless suppliers, I figured that if I could find the correct supplier then maybe I could get the required hardware to make it work.

After a lot of internet searching I found the supplier. A company out of Poland name Bury designed and built the USB-C module. Unfortunately due to contracts with BMW they couldn’t sell me any parts.

Which lead me to more internet searching until I found the connectors so that I could build my mine wiring harness.
My idea was to create a plug and play wiring harness so I could easily add the USB-C module without cutting any wires. Just in case it didn’t work, undoing everything would be relatively simple.

Parts needed for the harness.

1x AMP - TE CONNECTIVITY 3-968696-2
With 3x pins that install inside the connector. TE CONNECTIVITY 5-963716-2
Going forward this will be Connector A

2x AMP - TE CONNECTIVITY 3-1355397-3
With 3x contacts per connector. Total of 6x TE CONNECTIVITY 5-928999-6.
And this will be connector B

Would recommend that you get extra pins and contacts just in case you mess up on a few. The site that I purchased from is still out of stock on some of the connectors so you may need to do some searching.

[BlueLEDz]

For the wire, I used 24AWG. 20AWG would work, but may be difficult to crimp the connectors. Wouldn’t recommend going any smaller then 26 gauge.
First set of wires, going from Connector A to the arm rest USB-C port, can be 6 inches long.
Second set, going from Connector A to the rear USB-C ports, should be 16-24 inches long. A little extra isn’t a problem.

There is a special tool to cramp the wires to the pins, however I just used a pliers and solder the wires. And then put shrink wrap around everything.
The first few pages of the below document will show how to crimp the wires to the pins.

https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/4..._3-3005473.pdf

When install the pins and contacts into the connections, you’ll need to push until they lock into place. You’ll need two set of wires going into Connector A, so make sure the wires are not in the way of the pins locking in place. One reason to have extra pins, in case the wires are bunched up and you have to try again. For me it was easier to cut off the pin that didn’t line up right and solder on a new one.

[BlueLEDz]

After you have the wiring harness made you’ll then need to get the USB-C module and the surrounding plastic. I found it easier to hunt for the rear center console from a G20 or G80 3-series. This way you get all the needed parts.

The center console I found was out of a totaled M3. Because I didn’t know what dirt or smells might be in the air vents, I removed them and installed the vents from my car. This step is not required, but it gave me some piece of mind.
If you want to do this step, slowly pull up of the plastic tabs and push the vents forward.

[BlueLEDz]

Dismantling and installing.

Start by removing the rear console parts. Put a plastic pry tool near the gap and twist. Work your way around the entire piece. Once it is free slowly pull it out and disconnect the wires.

Then the dismantling of the center console glove box. Start by removing the front section with the ISB-C module. Should be able to get a plastic pry tool into the gap and twist. It will come out easily.

The bottom rubber of the glove box can be removed, remove it. Take your plastic pry tool to the corner and pull up. Under the rubber you’ll find two screws. Remove those and now the hard part.

Grab the plastic bin and pull up. You’ll need to use a lot of force and then it’ll pop right up into your hand.

Now you’ll have room to run the wires. I’ll post a picture of how I ran the wires. Feed the wires around the air ducts and out the back.

Now connect the wires, make sure that you push hard enough to snap the connectors together. And put everything back together.

[wb8164]

Very nice Write-up! I've seen a number of people asking about this, including the G87 guys.

[BlueLEDz]

Originally Posted by wb8164

Very nice Write-up! I've seen a number of people asking about this, including the G87 guys.

Thanks!
Hope someone finds it useful.
And can find the parts.

[abrandonment]

Great content.. thank you!

[J-RO]

Where there's a will there's a way!

[BabyM240i]

So that connector is just hanging out in the center console waiting for someone of your genious to add back in the feature they deleted?

[BlueLEDz]

Originally Posted by BabyM240i

So that connector is just hanging out in the center console waiting for someone of your genious to add back in the feature they deleted?

Had to build the wiring harness. There are no loose wires under the center console.

[BabyM240i]

Originally Posted by BlueLEDz

Had to build the wiring harness. There are no loose wires under the center console.

I see the building of the harness and connection to the USB plate you got from the doner M car but what//where did you actually tap it into the car to provide the power?

[BlueLEDz]

Originally Posted by BabyM240i

I see the building of the harness and connection to the USB plate you got from the doner M car but what//where did you actually tap it into the car to provide the power?

I used the cable going to the usb-c module in the center console glove box. Unplugged the cable from the module then plugged it into my harness. The harness splits the connection. One plugs into the module in the glove box and the other to the rear usb-c module.