Stereo Wiring Harness for Z3

[this.Rupe]

Hello,

My Z3 is equipped with the factory stereo system including the subwoofer in the center console.
In the future I would like to upgrade the entire sound system but for now I only want to install a new head unit so I can play music from my phone.

I have purchased a Kenwood KDCV-X304 Head Unit

KDC-X304 | eXcelon | Car Entertainment | KENWOOD USA

Welcome to KENWOOD USA Site. In pursuit of further value creation by integrality our three core business segments and establish [ mobile & home multimedia system ] business

www.kenwood.com

The car audio store recommended I use the PAC BHA8591 wiring harness

1992-2002 BMW - PAC

OEM Amplifier Integration Harness

catalog.pac-audio.com

And antenna adapter BAA7

1984-2016 VW & SELECT IMPORT/DOMESTIC - PAC

Aftermarket radio to OEM antenna

catalog.pac-audio.com

This harness has four RCA male connectors which the installer said was for connecting to the factory amplifier.

When removing the factory head unit, I don't see where the RCA connectors would connect to the factory system.
After reviewing several car radio installation instructions for Z3 cars I haven't seen this connector used before.

Has anyone used this type of connector?
Have I been given the incorrect connector?

Should I be using this other connector?

1984-2002 BMW - PAC

Plugs into Factory Harness

catalog.pac-audio.com

 

[this.Rupe]

An update to this post. I found the stock amplifier in the trunk and it doesn't have any RCA connections so I'm going to pick up the other wiring harness tomorrow.

 

[cpallenjr]

Don't do it!

I think you are misinterpreting the connections. Some of the wires in the oem connector carry low level (~2V) preamp out connections EVEN THOUGH THEY DON'T USE RCA PLUGS in the head unit. If you wire the high level outputs of your new head unit into the low level inputs of the OEM amp I'm not sure what will happen. There is the distinct possibility that you might over drive the amp inputs and damage the unit.

The adapter with the four rca jacks simply connect the low level pre amp outputs of your new head unit to the low level preamp inputs of the amp via the factory wring harness.

 

[this.Rupe]

When I went to exchange the harness they explained how I misunderstood the instructions so I will still use this harness.

Thank you for replying quickly. If they would have sent me home with the other harness you would have caught me in time before installing it.

Will report back once I get it all installed correctly.

 

[this.Rupe]

Installed and working as expected.
Great day for a drive too.

 

[137699]

Fitting an aftermarket headunit will likely result in lower quality audio as it won't connect up the sub/amp etc.
The better option is to do as I did - add a Bluetooth module to the original BMW radio - then you have streaming / handsfree plus original radio (which doesn't look out of place in the dash or get nicked) and better audio quality.

 

[this.Rupe]

I was impressed how cleanly the new radio fit into the dash. I haven't done anything that can't be easily reversed by putting back the stock equipment.
The speakers including the sub seem to all work with my install, however I will likely upgrade the stock speakers and amplify them, so the new radio is just the first step in that process.

 

[cpallenjr]

Fitting an aftermarket headunit will likely result in lower quality audio as it won't connect up the sub/amp etc.
The better option is to do as I did - add a Bluetooth module to the original BMW radio - then you have streaming / handsfree plus original radio (which doesn't look out of place in the dash or get nicked) and better audio quality.

I think you are incorrect in your statement about lower quality audio. If you use the correct harness (as did Mr Rupe) it works with the amp and speakers just fine. The Bluetooth module to which you are referring doesn't work with the cassette deck, only the Business CD And it's appearance is a form over function value proposition. I bought a $30 Blaupunct and a $16 adapter cable off Amazon and I have Bluetooth Music, Hands free phone, USB MP3 source and phone charging and other than wiring the adapter to the head unit interface it is plug and play.

 

[JaceC88]

When I went to exchange the harness they explained how I misunderstood the instructions so I will still use this harness.

Thank you for replying quickly. If they would have sent me home with the other harness you would have caught me in time before installing it.

Will report back once I get it all installed correctly.

So glad I found this.

Is this adaptor the same as the one you used successfully? Cables are different colour, does that matter?

ATD ARC-20263 Amplfier Amp Retention Cable For BMW 17 Pin Round Connector Harmon Kardon

Here at Audio Tech Direct, we can offer a range of accessories and in car entertainment products. If you cannot find something, contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

audiotechdirect.com

I can't find a link to buy the cable you got!

Also, there are the spare cables from my new head unit:

Do I just plug the adaptor RCA connections into these from the new unit to get the amp and sub working? If so, which 4?!

Any help most appreciated!

 

[Davros]

hello from La Belle Fr.

I propose to upgrade the stereo system in my 2000 Z3. The 6 cd changer is Kaputt and the original Harmon Kardon in dash player was replaced by a Sony unit (also Kaputt)
Earlier threads prompted me to search for a Kenwood unit (a favourite make of mine) and the model I have in mind is the KDC-BT560DABCD, available on Amazon UK. I checked with the UK supplier who confirmed that I would need a ISO compatible harness but when I suggested the PAC aftermarket ISO harness (PAC BHA8591 wiring harness) suggested by this.Rupe the Kenwood supplier advised " To my knowledge, vehicles that have Harman Kardon used a different set of vehicle wiring of which the aftermarket ISO harness is not compatible to work as a plug and play replacement".
So, given that the new set-up for this.Rupe seemed to fire on all cylinders I'm wondering if the suggested Harmon Kardon issue is a red herring. Any thoughts would be welcome and much appreciated.

PS Only had the Z3 for a month - aren't they bloody lovely! Reminds me of the fun I had back in the day with my Triumph Stag.

 

[Rudyrov]

In my 98 2.8 with HK stereo with sub-woofer I used a standard harness adapter available here in the USA from various suppliers, I used a Metra unit, and everything works if used correctly it's almost plug and play, the only exception is that a trunk-mounted CD changer will not interface. https://www.crutchfield.com/S-m72r3...gIiU4SKOVa-g5uXKS9ybTS6H7OAIeawQaAr-gEALw_wcB

 

[Davros]

Thanks Rudyrov; and the harness link gives me a visual - that could be the answer. I'm not bothered about losing the CD stacker but I do want the flexibility of the Kenwood unit and its removeable control panel facia. I've nowt else planned for tomorrow so I'll take out the existing Sony to have a look-see at the connections and maybe take some pic's of what's what. This may seem a dumb q. but can I simply disconnect the CD Stacker cable link to the rear of the stereo unit, and leave the redundant changer system dormant?

There will be a workaround and it may be easier to find once I've got a feel of what the previous owner did' Thanks again, Each.

 

[Rudyrov]

Glad to help out Davros, I just disconnected the changer as you suggested, and eventually I removed it completely from the trunk (or boot?). Don't forget to use the antenna wire from the radio to trigger the HK amp to come on, there should be a lead in the harness adapter to do that.

 

[Davros]

Thanks again Rudyrov. I know from the VIN history check that initially the car was fitted with the HK system, and assumed that the amp was integral to the centre console player, which has long since gone. Aside from the speakers I'm not sure what else remains of that set-up; was there a separate amp for the speakers? Without the original HK manual it's tricky to determine what does what with a dedicated system. But, for clarity, all I want to achieve is a simple set-up with the new player powering existing speakers. And, oh yes, us old school Blighty folk have boots, bonnets and mudguards.

 

[TriumphZ3]

Some interesting points raised here; I bought my 1998 1.9 with an aftermarket head unit fitted and the wiring was terrible, connector to connector to connector nearly two feet long. I removed it all and found that my unit's loom was a straight fit to the two connectors - no idea what the PO was playing at with all the additional wiring. However the points about reduced audio quality are interesting; it's not as good as I would like especially at lower volume and I assumed it was down to the small speakers. I don't think I have any kind of sub-woofer?
I'm also wondering about the tweeters in the door; why are there two apertures but the larger 45mm one is never used? Any ideas on speaker upgrades?

 

[Rudyrov]

Thanks again Rudyrov. I know from the VIN history check that initially the car was fitted with the HK system, and assumed that the amp was integral to the centre console player, which has long since gone. Aside from the speakers I'm not sure what else remains of that set-up; was there a separate amp for the speakers? Without the original HK manual it's tricky to determine what does what with a dedicated system. But, for clarity, all I want to achieve is a simple set-up with the new player powering existing speakers. And, oh yes, us old school Blighty folk have boots, bonnets and mudguards.

The amplifier for the system would be in the trunk of the vehicle. It is normally located on the right rear tire fender wall under the carpet. There is plenty of reference material available on the internet including how-to videos and system drawings that you can use to identify the components and functions. Google the phraze "bmw z3 HK amplifier location and I believe you will find a plethora of information and pictures. Glad you guys have mudflaps!

 

[Rudyrov]

Some interesting points raised here; I bought my 1998 1.9 with an aftermarket head unit fitted and the wiring was terrible, connector to connector to connector nearly two feet long. I removed it all and found that my unit's loom was a straight fit to the two connectors - no idea what the PO was playing at with all the additional wiring. However the points about reduced audio quality are interesting; it's not as good as I would like especially at lower volume and I assumed it was down to the small speakers. I don't think I have any kind of sub-woofer?
I'm also wondering about the tweeters in the door; why are there two apertures but the larger 45mm one is never used? Any ideas on speaker upgrades?

View attachment 287399

I am not positively sure but I believe there were different levels of audio system available for the Z3 much like today's newer vehicles, my car came with the full system and the door had a tweeter and a midrange speaker, a large 6.5-inch speaker in the kick panels and 4.5-inch units behind the seats, also a subwoofer of sorts between the rollover hoops.
Glad you got rid of the spaghetti in your dash, no telling why PO's do what they do.

 

[TriumphZ3]

I am not positively sure but I believe there were different levels of audio system available for the Z3 much like today's newer vehicles, my car came with the full system and the door had a tweeter and a midrange speaker, a large 6.5-inch speaker in the kick panels and 4.5-inch units behind the seats, also a subwoofer of sorts between the rollover hoops.

That I'll have to research!! Still very new to Z3s, but love good audio in cars - not massive speakers, amps or the like but just good clear sound. I like to hear it without the entire street hearing it too. Best auudio I ever heard was a Volvo S40 with the Bang and Olufson system, absolutely superb. Always open to ideas about basic improvements if anyone has any.

 

[Davros]

TriumphZ3 - now there's a concept car ! I had a couple of Stags back in the day; beautiful cars and a dream drive 2.8 litre, auto. That buzz has been rekindled by the Z3 roadster. Anyroad; this is an audio update.
Once the P.O's Sony headset was removed it revealed a similar spaghetti combo of wiring and adapters connected to the Harman Kardon harness. This is the adapter connected to the HK OEM feed - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172457630402 which is compatible with the ISO adapter cable supplied with the Kenwood https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B8DPKGTD?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details - So, as it turned out, a straight forward plug and play connection. And all 7 speakers function, (door tweeters, footwell and rear including the centre sub woofer). And the Kenwood's EQ audio settings allow you to adjust the Sub Woofer, Bass, Mid and Treble levels to suit, with additional tweaks to enhance the output (loudness et.al). So good enough overall sound quality, with the flexibility of modern audio sources. So unless you're a car audiophile, this set up fits the bill.

 

[TriumphZ3]

Great reply; many thanks. Mine is basic as basic can be, not a high-spec car bar the ashtray(!) but I fear the sound system is also basic - no centre sub woofer, unless I just can't find it, I don't think the speakers are the best they can be either (was there a choice of a HK setup or a more basic system?) and the door tweeters have one small tweeter then a vacant hole alongside under the trim cover. My head unit is a tried and tested Pioneer model that has been in many cars with me, so I suspect the layout of the fitted speakers doesn't provide the best sound. I'll strip them out shortly when fixing the seats and see what can be improved.