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    Help installing aftermarket headunit...

    Hey all, heh, I had this darn thing typed up, but when I went to copy it before I sent it, to have it incase it did not send, the whole thing was erased, so here it is again...

    I've done my share of installs on lots of GM, couple Chrysler, my Isuzu and some various imports, but nothing I've delt with so far is as much of a factory mess as this German stuff. Sorry if any of this is repeat questions, I've been searching for the last couple days on all the sound system stuff and haven't been able to find the answers, so here it is.

    I'm not sure if the car has premium audio or not, there is no external fader, but I do have the door mounted pod tweeters. I read that there should be an amp in the trunk, behind the mat, infront of the power antenna... is this the same on convertibles? I pulled back the mat a little (quite tight though) and can see the power antenna, but there didn't appear to be anything infront of it.

    Everything I've been reading is basically "re-wire" which I may end up doing, but still some questions. When I pulled out the radio, there is a [factory] mess of wires.... and only 1 set has a plug that can be disconnected, 8 wires, which I've determined to be the speaker wires. Would I be able to splice into these and hook them up to the speaker output of the new headunit? or do they run thru the factory amp? If the speakers did need to be rewired, what is the best way to wire up the front speakers since they have the seperate tweeters? If I could get away with the factory speaker wiring for now, I would be happy. Someday when I get new speakers and a 4ch amp all the speakers will get rewired. All the other wires are hardwired from the harness to the radio. I hate the idea of cutting wires because it's just something I am picky about, but also if the car was to be returned to stock in the future. Even then if they need to be cut, then they will, but how could I make sure none of the cut wires will still be getting power by anything?

    Also, the power antenna wire, does anyone know which one it is? I'd hate to have to run a whole new wire from it if there is one already there. constant 12v and ground are easy enough. I read that some wire in the acc. wire to the power window lockout switch, so that sounds good.

    I think that is most of what I typed before... Thanks in advance for the help! :)
    ~Rick | 1990 325iC ~Noelle - Her build/cleanup thread http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=179507

    #2
    i can't help with all of your questions. but... i just put a system in my car this past weekend. i found the power antenna wire to be a "dirty" white wire. almost a very light tan. after i saw the mess of wires behind my dash, i immediately ordered up a cheap 4 channel amp and just rewired everything. it probably saved me some headache in the end. check the DIY section over at m42club. there is a post on wiring up a new stereo and i found it to be a big help.

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      #3
      Your factory amp IS in the trunk, but I believe it is mounted under the rear deck.

      Look for a black box with 80 kajillion wires that says "Blaupunkt"

      Closing SOON!
      "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

      Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

      Thanks for 10 years of fun!

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by cmflossin View Post
        i can't help with all of your questions. but... i just put a system in my car this past weekend. i found the power antenna wire to be a "dirty" white wire. almost a very light tan. after i saw the mess of wires behind my dash, i immediately ordered up a cheap 4 channel amp and just rewired everything. it probably saved me some headache in the end. check the DIY section over at m42club. there is a post on wiring up a new stereo and i found it to be a big help.
        Yeah, I hear you on the 4ch amp, that was my thoughts at first too, but I am trying to save some money right now, if I was going to do it I'd want to get quality components.

        I think I know of the dirty white wire you speak of, did it sorta connect to a plastic clip connector (that dosen't seem to want to become unconnected?)

        Thanks for the heads up on the DIY write up, I'll check that out.

        Your factory amp IS in the trunk, but I believe it is mounted under the rear deck.

        Look for a black box with 80 kajillion wires that says "Blaupunkt"
        Alright, so the car does in fact have premium audio then. When you say monted under the rear deck.... you mean under the area that the top folds into?
        ~Rick | 1990 325iC ~Noelle - Her build/cleanup thread http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=179507

        Comment


          #5
          Yup.

          Closing SOON!
          "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

          Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

          Thanks for 10 years of fun!

          Comment

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