Help Please

[primo123]

Hello, I am having some trouble with my new stereo/head unit i am installing. Ive got power to it, speakers are wired up. The problem is is that i get sound from the tuner but NOT from a cd. My brother said it might have something to do with the inboard amp. Does my car have a factory amp (1987 325i)? If so, where is it located? We thinks this will be solved if we just direct wire the speakers. My head has an amp in it. Help, suggestions, knowledge appreciated.

-Travis

[Garageaholic]

so you have an aftermarket unit, do you have aftermarket speakers? if so, just wire the speakers up directly, dont use the bmw old speaker wires

[Van Westervelt]

If you also have the fader switch above the radio, i have heard you will definately have to rewire directly to the speakers.

[highqman]

Sounds like you used the power antenna wire as the amp turn on wire. You switch to cd and the wire powers down so the antenna system will power down. Try changing it. Matt

[primo123]

Man thanks for the replies. To clear some things up, i have stock speakers for now. We also didnt wire the fader switch because we have one in the unit itself. I think direct wiring is our best bet and will solve my issues. Maybe ill try switching the wires like one of you suggested. Thanks for the speedy replies.

P.S. Does my car have a factory amp. If so, where is it located?

Thanks,
Travis

[DrMcDave]

groupie did u copy my sig or are we just on the same page

[StereoInstaller1]

Travis, what happened here is just what highqman said. You used the power antenna wire for your power antenna...which is what also turns your factory amp on. Swap the cars white wire to the blue/white (not solid blue) and your issue is fixed.

If you want to make your car sound better, bypass that factory amp.

The easy way is to run 4 pair of speaker wires to the trunk. You will likely find your amp hiding under the rear deck, on the left side of the car. You may also find it hiding under the left fender trim, right by the antenna. You should be able to figure out what wires run to the speakers pretty easy, but if you can't, post here.

GL!
Luke

[primo123]

Aw cool man, thanks for help, but my issue was resolved. What my brother and i did was locate the factory amp and unplugged the plug (lol) that contained all the speaker wires. We simply disconnected that, cut them, spliced them and ran new wires back to the head. Works like a charm.

Anyways, you are right about bypassing the factory amp. At first, we had it hooked up to the factory amp and my head was getting so hot. (My bro said it had something to do with - and + and not cycling)?? I dont know, i think we was right. So we just rewired that bitch. Anyways fellas thanks for the help.

-Travis

Edit: I just realized your saying the same thing i am trying to say about running new wires to the amp (not using it) but splicing the wires, and then connecting them... Der