Wiring in tweeters when not previously equipped

[erik the red]

Did a search and couldn't find an answer, so here goes.

91 318is with the original factory radio and four standard speakers--two front, two package shelf.

Recently acquired a package shelf with premium speakers (midrange & tweeters) and a couple of OEM door-mounted tweeters. I found the tweeter wires behind the original blanking panels, but when I connected the wires to the tweeters, no sound.

Is there another place that these tweeters (front and rear) must be connected so they'll work?

Still learning my way around mods on later model E30s--never felt much need to do upgrading on my eta car...

TIA

[bernzpeed]

yes your front speakers should b wired correctly for premium speakers. the power for your tweeter should be spliced into the power of your premium speakers.

[StereoInstaller1]

You neede some kind of crossover to run the stock tweeters. The front "premium sound" has a crossover physically attached to the speaker. You can use that or use aftermarket crossovers, whichever is easier.

[Threehz]

I am interested in this too as my 91 318is has no tweeters in the stock locations, just flat panels, however there are wires behind the panels.

I understand the use of crossovers but wouldn't the tweeters still work without a crossover?

[bernzpeed]

where are you plugging the tweeters then?

[StereoInstaller1]

I am interested in this too as my 91 318is has no tweeters in the stock locations, just flat panels, however there are wires behind the panels.

I understand the use of crossovers but wouldn't the tweeters still work without a crossover?

A tweeter cannot deal with any kid of bass at all, just the highest frequencies...so no, you cannot.

Unless you want to smoke them almost immediately and have them sound like complete ass until they blow.

[Threehz]

I never knew that, guess it makes sense since I've never seen a tweeter not connected to a crossover heh! How does that work? I mean obviously there would be no point to trying to play low frequencies through a tweeter and have a crossover frees up the tweeter from worthless work but wouldn't they just play the bass very softly?

[AE86]

You neede some kind of crossover to run the stock tweeters. The front "premium sound" has a crossover physically attached to the speaker. You can use that or use aftermarket crossovers, whichever is easier.

How do you splice or connect tweeters to "premium speakers" ? I only see three connections on the "premium speakers". Also where did the second wire (positive wire I believe) off the tweeter go?

3 connections looks like 2 positives (+) and one negative (-)


2 wires pos+ and neg-

[StereoInstaller1]

To explain the 3 wire thing, 2 of them are speaker inputs from the amp and the 3rd one is the tweeter positive output. The tweeter negative wire is hidden, but if you look further down the harness (just under the carpet) you will see where it connects.

If you look in the speaker opening (on the car) you can follow the wires through the harness and clip off the plug that connects the tweeter ground wire to the speaker wire. Connect that to your crossover.

Tweeter wires are grey/yellow and grey/green, BTW.

[bernzpeed]

luke, this sounds familiar. we should just have a sticky for this. lol.

[AE86]

Tired splicing my tweeters, and nothing worked, finally ran wires directly to tweeters and nothing... I think I got some dead tweeters. I'll fiddle around with them later. Good luck Erik.

[StereoInstaller1]

luke, this sounds familiar. we should just have a sticky for this. lol.

Agreed. Get on it. You have the pics and can easily write a tutorial.