How to removecd changer data cable?

[Dlan]

I have a '98 540i. The cd changer mechecnism is jammed so I've tried to remove it. The only thing left holding it in is the data cable. I can't for the life of me figure out how to unplug it without ripping it to pieces. No site seems to mention this one little trick or is this cable hardwired to changer?

[da_bull]

I think that year has a plug but it doesnt go directly into the changer, I believe it is about a foot or two down the line towards the headunit. I'd follow it forward for a bit, I dont remember them having a changer wired into the headunit only. Thats why they say "prewired for cd changer" on the trunk arm on ones that dont have the changer.

[Dlan]

Thanks for the reply. My car is currently in the shop getting drivers's side door replaced. Should get it back Tuesday, then I will try your suggestion.

It did look like it was plugged in, but I could find no way to remove this plugged in cable

[Dlan]

Well, I got my car back and was able to remove the big bundled cable, but in doing so I kocked off the connector with the 3 small wires running to it.

The holes are marked 1,2,& 3.
The wires are colored white , brown, & red. Can you tell me which goes where?

[da_bull]

I am not 100% sure but typically

brown is ground,
white is a remote turn on (like for power antenna, amp, etc)
which would leave red as a hot all the time (to retain cd track info and where you turned it off the last time you listened to it)

This is just an educated guess though. I dont have my changer anymore, and I am pretty sure I have the older changer cord than what you have.

[Dlan]

So would you put the order as :
1=red
2=white
3=brown

[da_bull]

I'm not sure of the order they go back in the plug though.