C33 AUX input and Installation Megathread

[Todd Black 88]

After researching more, it sounds like the C33 will output directly to the amp. It was suggested to run the channels to RCAs and use a body ground.

Output voltage is ~9v. This makes sense as the c33 (and most other oem head units) are designed to feed a oem amp.

Not sure it this is helpful, but perhaps a signal converter (such as this one) could help.

i bought that exact one at walmart. says its capable of converting to a common ground system like ours. I hope to install this weekend.

[Todd Black 88]

I tried it, and got no sound. I called the tech support and they were no help, and said it was not tested on bmw's system so it probably won't work.

[kronus]

I had the system wired up and amping properly outside the car, C33 tied to 4-channel amp directly, with no signal converter. Is one needed for direct amp output?

I'm just confused as to whether you can fork RCA cables.

[Todd Black 88]

No you don't need it, but it is recommended to convert to rca's due to noise interference on speaker wires.

[digital_cowboy]

I had the system wired up and amping properly outside the car, C33 tied to 4-channel amp directly, with no signal converter. Is one needed for direct amp output?

I'm just confused as to whether you can fork RCA cables.

What does "fork" mean?

What ground did you use in the RCAs? I am going to use a chassis ground upon Luke's advice.

[StereoInstaller1]

Do NOT use the pile of shit scosche line output converter. The damn deck is already a low level deck!

The C33/CD33/CD43 decks are NOT speaker level (unless out of an E36 318) but will run speakers in a pinch.

[digital_cowboy]

Here is my plan for c33 to 4 channel amp setup. Does it look correct?

[kronus]

I'm not sure about leaving the signal grounds on the C33 connector unattached. However, I'm also not sure about grounding them to chassis.

Otherwise, looks like what I'm doing. Does your 4-channel amp have a passthrough for another amp?

[digital_cowboy]

Does your 4-channel amp have a passthrough for another amp?

yes, but the second amp and sub will be a later project. Also, as my car is wired for premium, I *think* I can use the stock wiring from the HU to the AMP and from the AMP to the speakers.

[StereoInstaller1]

I'm not sure about leaving the signal grounds on the C33 connector unattached. However, I'm also not sure about grounding them to chassis.

Otherwise, looks like what I'm doing. Does your 4-channel amp have a passthrough for another amp?

I have done about 30 cars like that, using several different combinations of amps. Have yet to have an issue.

Except for the goddamn E36 4 banger cars...no factory amp!

yes, but the second amp and sub will be a later project. Also, as my car is wired for premium, I *think* I can use the stock wiring from the HU to the AMP and from the AMP to the speakers.

Yes you can, but you may want to use the yellow/black, yellow/red, blue/black, blue/red as signal positives if your car has a fader.

[Todd Black 88]

Is there any way to use the stock premium system, amp etc with a c33 or other factory e36 deck? If so, how do you wire it into the e30 properly?

[StereoInstaller1]

Yeah, easy stuff.

Yellow and blue with red and black stripes are the positives, then chassis ground the brown/orange wires and do NOT use the spaker negatives off the deck.

Sounding familiar yet?

[Todd Black 88]

No,.................. i'm dumb though.

[Todd Black 88]

The diagrams i have show the brn/org wires off the e36 deck are the speaker negatives though. So I just ground those wires to the car chassis and hook up the positives to the e30 positives?

Sorry for the thread jack.

[StereoInstaller1]

The diagrams i have show the brn/org wires off the e36 deck are the speaker negatives though. So I just ground those wires to the car chassis and hook up the positives to the e30 positives?

That is precisely it...but make damn sure to hook BOTH E30 white wires (antenna and amp remote) to the white wire on the CD43