Replacing AUX port in Centre Console

FreelanderKate said:

I was just wondering if anyone had any experience in doing this or can confirm if this is a lengthy job.

I use the AUX port to plug in my ipod and unfortunately the pin on the cable broke off in the AUX connector. Subsequently I have tried using a new cable and by doing so have possibly distorted the connector.

My dealership said they have rectified the problem (charging me for it) but haven't as the connection is poor and doesn't come out of all speakers (think they just removed the broken fragment).

They now say it is an extensive job to have another look at it and would charge 2 hours labour but can't sell the AUX port as a separate component.

I was wondering how easy it would be to remove it and look at it myself?

Does this require removing the entire centre console and if so is this easy or can the AUX port be easily extracted.

I am sure if I can get it out it will just be a case of nipping the connector closed with a pair of pliers to make the connection better once replaced?

Any help appreciated.

Its on a Freelander 2 - HSE TD4 on 07 plate.

AUX connector is at the end of the console behind the cigarette lighter terminal.

Either I fix this or spend £350 on an kit that works off the steering wheel!

Pictures for reference attached

Any help appreciated

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cox325 said:

have you seen the date this started fellas??

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Huggyblair said:

Fairly simple to replace. Need part LR003821, described as headphone volume control assembly. Relatively cheap £5 It comes in two parts but will be assembled as one. Remove the cubby hole and cover at back of central console. Use a small screwdriver or blunt knife to prise out bottom cubby hole part first then pull out upper cover. Push clip to remove cable from part pull lower section of part from below to separate, remove upper part from above. To replace. Carefully separate part into two. Squeeze black pins on side of upper part and insert into space from above but don't push down into hole just yet. From below insert lower part from below in to hole. Push upper part down to lock two parts together. Attach audio cable. Replace cover and then cubby hole parts. 10 minute job.

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Dave Whitlock said:

Ello Chaps,

I came across this forum whilst searching for a tutorial on how to replace the aux port, part LR003821, on my 2008 Land Rover LR2 HSE. I realize that this is a nearly 6 year-old thread and that it primarily applies to UK-based owners, but I still want to make my quick contribution in hopes that it'll help someone in my position later on.

If you just want the quick and dirty, skip to the end of this post with the comprehensive step-by-step. The content in between is just the story of how I came to my findings.

Firstly, thank you, @Huggyblair, for pointing out the part required and the access point in the console; definitely accurate and very helpful. However, you severely understated the difficulty in removing the existing aux port, and separating the new part into two pieces. It sounds easy enough, unfortunately that's not at all the case. Assuming the UK part is the exact same OEM part that I received in the US, engineered by Ford, it's a very tricky little piece of equipment. It's a classic case of overengineering; the part doesn't simply pull apart, in fact, it doesn't even forcefully pull apart either. To begin with, the cavity of the vehicle in which you gain access to the part is extremely tight and difficult to work within, and impossible to see what you're working with. By examining the new, uninstalled part, I was able to see how to separate the unit into two parts, and thus remove the existing, defective, part from my vehicle. The part has two small holes on opposite sides of the interior of the female port where you plug in the wires from the head unit. You need to find - or make - two small rods that you can insert inside these holes in order to dislodge the top piece from the bottom piece of part LR003821. I used two wood kitchen matches, whittled them each down a little, then slid them both into their slots at the sides of the female port. This allowed me to pry the pieces of the part apart and complete the installation pretty quickly from there.

Step-by-step for replacing the aux port at the rear of the center console on a 2008 LR2 HSE:
1. At the back of the center console, pry off the bottom piece of the cubby hole with a flat head screw driver.
2. With your hand, remove the upper part of the cubby at the back of the center console.
3. Remove the wire that is attached to the aux port by depressing the catch that is aimed toward the front of the vehicle and pulling downward.
4. Get your replacement LR003821 part and find two small objects to push into the holes at the opposite sides of the interior of the female port.
5. With something in each of the holes, you should be able to pry the part into two pieces.
6. Use this same technique to remove your existing aux port; put the objects in, then pull from the female port.
7. You'll need to squeeze the two sides of the top piece of the existing part to remove it from your console.
8. With the old port removed you can begin installing the replacement. Squeeze the top piece of the part at either side and insert it from above the console.
9. Then put the bottom piece of the part in from the underside of the console and reattach it to the top piece of the part. Press the pieces together firmly to securely attach them.
10. Reattach the wires from the head unit.
11. Close up the console.

Fin.

More like a 15 to 20 minute jobber.

Sorry for the long read. Hope it helps someone.

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Jamie Hardy said:

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your post on this. I have the part and need to do the work to replace the old aux port for the new.

I wondered if you took any pics when you did it? I have the cubby part off the console and taken the wire part off the aux port. Now i am struggling with the next part. Everything seem so tight and hard to move.

Hoping you or someone else can help! Need my iPod in the car again!

Thanks in advance

Jamie

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