Early model e30 head unit install - 85 325e

[Tyegagne]

Hi guys,

I've been lurking and wading through the archives of stereo install threads, and I'm still having trouble figuring out where I stand with my stereo.

It is a 1985 325e, with two knee bolster speakers, two rear deck, and no amp I can find anywhere.

I'm installing a new head unit, and trying to figure out where I stand with my wiring. Look below to see what I'm looking at...



What will match my standard aftermarket head unit wiring? Its an mid 2000s pioneer head unit with the standard plug.

[DesktopDave]

I wired a newer Blaupunkt into my '91 318i a while back. My wiring was a little different, but I didn't have a lot of trouble. I just wired it directly to the aftermarket pigtail with butt crimps, although it was a tight fit back into the dash.

The unit wouldn't power up until I wired the head unit 'memory' (battery power) from the hazard light switch. It apparently needs more power on that wire to function properly; newer head units run mainly on unswitched power instead of switched power like the OEM units.

I grabbed an '85 ETM from wedophones and attached the diagram for you.