Radio Wiring

[Disca]

So over the weekend I (by which I mean my friend) changed the headunit over to a new Sony one. All is working nicely and my speakers have magically come back to life in a way I have never heard before. It appears the old Kenwood one was royally fooked.

While doing the wiring we noticed this white connector (pic borrowed from https://zroadster.org/articles/bmw-z3-radio-head-unit-removal-and-replacement.70/)

Does anyone know what it is? We guessed it is for the amp and the pre-outs should wire into it? Currently the radio is running off it's amp until we figure out how to correctly wire in the pre-outs so just seeing if anyone else can shed some light on how they have done it etc.

 

[Antm72]

Does your car have an H.K System ? i think the spare connector is the multi changer.
There is a different lead that connects to the bmw wiring if you want low level outs.

 

[Disca]

Nope standard 6 speaker system, without a changer.
We did also wonder if that was what it was.
Hmm any clues what this lead is then? I know the head unit has 3 pre-outs to wire up to.

 

[Antm72]

Its the same conversion lead you have but its wired with rca connections not speaker cables.
If you only have a standard system you have it wired correctly.
The passenger speaker has a small amp fitted underneath it but if theres a problem you loose sound and most rerun the cables to the speakers in this case.
I think as you say you just had a poor headunit and its now as it should be .

 

[Disca]

Not entirely sure on the presence and state of the amp yet, would like to go aftermarket at some point.
Just remember reading somewhere that it didn't make sense to run the headunit off it's own amps and then through the BMW amp hence trying to work out the wiring to use the headunit pre-outs and see what happens.

So I guess it is worth confirming the presence and functionality of the amp before re-thinking the wiring.

 

[NZ00Z3]

Your car is pre-wired for a CD changer. This means that you could add a CD changer but you would need a BMW head unit. Do a de-code on your VIN number and it should be listed.

The white 10 pin connector is the lead that goes to your boot for a 6 CD changer. You'll know if you have a CD changer as they take up lots of room in the boot.

To see if you have a BMW amp installed, look in the boot, right hand side, there will be a large square shape in the boot lining by the right hand wheel arch.

 

[oldcarman]

Your car is pre-wired for a CD changer. This means that you could add a CD changer but you would need a BMW head unit. Do a de-code on your VIN number and it should be listed.

The white 10 pin connector is the lead that goes to your boot for a 6 CD changer. You'll know if you have a CD changer as they take up lots of room in the boot.

To see if you have a BMW amp installed, look in the boot, right hand side, there will be a large square shape in the boot lining by the right hand wheel arch.

Were all cars prewired for the changer? I have a Sony player head unit but it doesn't work on radio so I'' putting either a cassette or CD BMW unit in. I'' not a purist just want more CD space!! JIM

 

[NZ00Z3]

No, not all Z3's were wired for CD changers. Do a VIN number de-code. You will be looking for code "694 Preparation for CD Changer".

If you are going to be fitting a BMW head unit. Go for the CD43. It will give you up to 7 CD'd capacity with a 6 CD changer in the boot, plus the CD43 is recongized as being one of the better sounding units.

 

[oldcarman]

Thanks @Murray Wall i'll check and see what models I have in head units as I've bought a few. Don't recall seeing the prep kit on my list of options so I guess I need to source a wire loom for that now!

 

[Disca]

Mine is indeed specced for CD changer prep, so that answers one bit of my query

 

[Disca]

To see if you have a BMW amp installed, look in the boot, right hand side, there will be a large square shape in the boot lining by the right hand wheel arch.

Just to double check, I thought the amp for the factory 6 speaker setup was attached to the speaker in the passenger side door?
Before I go searching in the boot...

 

[GazHyde]

Check the passenger foot well speaker first, easy to remove the panel to access it.

 

[NZ00Z3]

The HK amp is in the boot as described. The unit attached to the left hand side foot well speaker is the crossover for the door tweeters. I had to replace the main power relay on this unit and traced out all the wires to see what it did.

 

[Disca]

Ah okay, I don't have the HK system so I believe mine is on the foot well speaker.