Removing heater exchange matrix and found something odd!

Arryhall · 7th August 2017, 20:47

The car is having its' new engine fitted Friday, and whilst there is no coolant in the car, I figured it would be prudent to flush out that stubborn heater exchange matrix so the wifes' side actually blows warm air. Nowm I've seen the mic taped to the side pillar, but thought it went to nothing, but when I dropped the side of the console, there was this box, a BMW stamped box of something. There is a telephone LAN line input on a circuit board which I forgot to photograph, so I assume it is some form of telephony device that was input to the head unit. I have, of course, disconnected this, and now, presumably, the head unit won't work! As the battery was as flat as a very flat thing, I was unable to try, but the battery is now on charge.

I have never seen anything like this, and there is no marking on it to tell me what it is. It's very odd.

Once I have the engine in, and the car runs again, I shall be looking to Sean for a new, all singing all dancing touchscreen unit. Provided the new engine works and the car is a viable option and not just scrap, of course!
Be nice to have a car to drive again. But does anyone know what this doofah is? I've had a look on Googles but to no avail. Doesn't help with no markings being on the thing.

Alex30013k · 7th August 2017, 21:21

I removed the same thing from a 75 that I was getting bits from. not sure what it did.

Avulon · 8th August 2017, 07:23

It's the brains for a hands-free phone kit. I don't recognise the make. It may be bluetooth or it may be that there was once a cradle attached to the big wiring block further along the harness that has been removed by a previous owner. if you follow the lead plugged into the 'mic' socket (microphone) you should find where the mic has been installed. Easier still switch the car on and use your phone to search for bluetooth connections.

Arryhall · 8th August 2017, 13:22

Well, I thought it may have been a bluetooth thing, but there was nowt coming up on me phone. Also, it's a Harmony unit, which, let's face it, is rubbish! There is a LAN line socket on the end of one of the leads, so I presume I could take my home phone with me! Not that it isn't now a retro-cool look to have a big rotary phone in your car, just impractical! I just didn't know it was there, what it is, what it does, or supposed to do and how it would work as the LAN socket was also tucked behind the console, so how could you actually plug your big old rotary land line phone in there? Gave me a chuckle anyway.

It's strange, the things you find when you start poking around. Shame it wasn't a massive bag full of dubloons!

Avulon · 8th August 2017, 17:47

Intrigued I am, is there no other labelling on the black box itself? I wonder if it's a tracker or black box recorder of some sort? When you say 'LAN' socket do you mean like a computer network lead socket or a UK phone socket? Might just be connected for downloading data? Also taking another look at it and that wiring looks somewhat hefty for a handsfree kit as well. Maybe someone else here can identify it? Maybe some sort of assisted nav device (hence the 'mic' input?).

steve-45 · 8th August 2017, 17:52

My old 45 came with a NOKIA phone system installed - it too has a socket for a cabled handset - according to the manual for "private" use .....

Found a new old stock handset but could not find anywhere to actually mount it ....

7th August 2017, 20:47	#1
Arryhall Loves to post Rover 75 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Biddulph Posts: 486 Thanks: 101 Thanked 145 Times in 90 Posts	Removing heater exchange matrix and found something odd! The car is having its' new engine fitted Friday, and whilst there is no coolant in the car, I figured it would be prudent to flush out that stubborn heater exchange matrix so the wifes' side actually blows warm air. Nowm I've seen the mic taped to the side pillar, but thought it went to nothing, but when I dropped the side of the console, there was this box, a BMW stamped box of something. There is a telephone LAN line input on a circuit board which I forgot to photograph, so I assume it is some form of telephony device that was input to the head unit. I have, of course, disconnected this, and now, presumably, the head unit won't work! As the battery was as flat as a very flat thing, I was unable to try, but the battery is now on charge. I have never seen anything like this, and there is no marking on it to tell me what it is. It's very odd. Once I have the engine in, and the car runs again, I shall be looking to Sean for a new, all singing all dancing touchscreen unit. Provided the new engine works and the car is a viable option and not just scrap, of course! Be nice to have a car to drive again. But does anyone know what this doofah is? I've had a look on Googles but to no avail. Doesn't help with no markings being on the thing.

8th August 2017, 07:23	#3
Avulon This is my second home 1.8t Tourer Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tanelorn Posts: 4,830 Thanks: 956 Thanked 1,148 Times in 916 Posts	It's the brains for a hands-free phone kit. I don't recognise the make. It may be bluetooth or it may be that there was once a cradle attached to the big wiring block further along the harness that has been removed by a previous owner. if you follow the lead plugged into the 'mic' socket (microphone) you should find where the mic has been installed. Easier still switch the car on and use your phone to search for bluetooth connections. __________________ Need a T4 ?: T4 Owners Map thanks to Stevestrat ( use at your own risk) Where?: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanelorn Mods/Retrofits: PCV vortex 'filter'; bluetooth; inline thermostat; reversing sensors; plenum spyhole ; headlamp washers ; Diy mp3 player replacing CD multichanger; FBH with remote; Headlamp washers; black/chrome front grille, rear blind; Xenon projectors To do: puddle lights; 2 Din cd/nav to fit; boot release button

8th August 2017, 17:47	#5
Avulon This is my second home 1.8t Tourer Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tanelorn Posts: 4,830 Thanks: 956 Thanked 1,148 Times in 916 Posts	Intrigued I am, is there no other labelling on the black box itself? I wonder if it's a tracker or black box recorder of some sort? When you say 'LAN' socket do you mean like a computer network lead socket or a UK phone socket? Might just be connected for downloading data? Also taking another look at it and that wiring looks somewhat hefty for a handsfree kit as well. Maybe someone else here can identify it? Maybe some sort of assisted nav device (hence the 'mic' input?). __________________ Need a T4 ?: T4 Owners Map thanks to Stevestrat ( use at your own risk) Where?: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanelorn Mods/Retrofits: PCV vortex 'filter'; bluetooth; inline thermostat; reversing sensors; plenum spyhole ; headlamp washers ; Diy mp3 player replacing CD multichanger; FBH with remote; Headlamp washers; black/chrome front grille, rear blind; Xenon projectors To do: puddle lights; 2 Din cd/nav to fit; boot release button

7th August 2017, 21:21	#2
Alex30013k Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon 2.0 CDTi Conn Se Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ashford Kent Posts: 1,560 Thanks: 17 Thanked 29 Times in 21 Posts	I removed the same thing from a 75 that I was getting bits from. not sure what it did.

8th August 2017, 13:22	#4
Arryhall Loves to post Rover 75 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Biddulph Posts: 486 Thanks: 101 Thanked 145 Times in 90 Posts	Well, I thought it may have been a bluetooth thing, but there was nowt coming up on me phone. Also, it's a Harmony unit, which, let's face it, is rubbish! There is a LAN line socket on the end of one of the leads, so I presume I could take my home phone with me! Not that it isn't now a retro-cool look to have a big rotary phone in your car, just impractical! I just didn't know it was there, what it is, what it does, or supposed to do and how it would work as the LAN socket was also tucked behind the console, so how could you actually plug your big old rotary land line phone in there? Gave me a chuckle anyway. It's strange, the things you find when you start poking around. Shame it wasn't a massive bag full of dubloons!

8th August 2017, 17:52	#6
steve-45 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon CDTi Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Belvedere Posts: 4,076 Thanks: 108 Thanked 1,089 Times in 774 Posts	My old 45 came with a NOKIA phone system installed - it too has a socket for a cabled handset - according to the manual for "private" use ..... Found a new old stock handset but could not find anywhere to actually mount it ....