help me install alpine in BMW

[lotas]

this kid has a 1985 BMW 325E. He wanted me to install his new alpine deck in it, of course I said well I will look at it, he took it as yes, come meet my parents, and come install it. Well someone cut the harness behind, so every wire has to be ran by me.

The battery is in the trunk, Im just going to run a power wire straight to the alpine, i think the kid bought a bunch of 8ga for the power wire (i dont know why, im just giving you the info) Ill figure out where to ground it.

What I need help with is the +12v Iggnition Switch wire and a few more. Where in the heck does that come from? Am I going to be able to run this wire or is this way out of my league?

Then I need help with the illumination switch, where does this wire run from and how do I run that?

So lovingly, not only is this a BMW which is not exactly my Japanese Honda Snap-off quality, I have to run all this new wire, and this kid told his parents im doing it, so can anyone help me with these wires? Thanks.

[Dragon_fire]

If you dont feel comfortable tell him no. Unless he gives you cash, then have him sign a waiver, slap the HU in there with some ducktape and wave goodbye. Also, dont return phone calls and try not to run into him agian.


Seriously, if you arent comfortable dont do it. Get a hanes manual, it has all the info you need to know about how to take apart the car. failing that look up the color code for the car and then match the wires correctly ( between the HU and the car). The wires on HUs are usually labeled on the unit itself or the wire, if not they can usually be found easily enough on the internet.

[William from NOLA]

If you can get the ignition wire that existing in the dash already, extend that wire. If you can't reach it or it is too short to fool with, I believe the ignition wire goes through the fuse box if I'm not mistaken (someone please verify). So if you go to the fusebox, just hide the wire. Shouldn't be much more than that.

Same with the power wire if you can. So you don't have to spend too much of your time running the wire to the rear.

You don't really need the illumination wire. I hooked my own up, and guess what, it doesn't even function with the radio lol. Yea, my van sucks.

[William from NOLA]

Originally Posted by Dragon_fire

If you dont feel comfortable tell him no. Unless he gives you cash, then have him sign a waiver, slap the HU in there with some ducktape and wave goodbye. Also, dont return phone calls and try not to run into him agian.


Seriously, if you arent comfortable dont do it. Get a hanes manual, it has all the info you need to know about how to take apart the car. failing that look up the color code for the car and then match the wires correctly ( between the HU and the car). The wires on HUs are usually labeled on the unit itself or the wire, if not they can usually be found easily enough on the internet.

I agree 110%

[GlassWolf]

1985 BMW 325 Stereo Information

Constant 12V+ Red/White
Switched 12V+ Purple/White
Ground Brown
Illumination n/a
Dimmer n/a
Antenna Trigger White
Antenna Left Rear
Front Speakers 5 1/4" Kick Panels
Left Front (+) White
Left Front (-) Black
Right Front (+) White
Right Front (-) Black
Rear Speakers 5 1/4" Side Panels
Left Rear (+) White
Left Rear (-) Black
Right Rear (+) White
Right Rear (-) Black

[lotas]

thanks guys...He has a harness for his car, only there is no harness. There are not even wires behind his HU, they had some guy take out his old kenwood cd player and he told me the guy cut the wires and his dad took them out or something. Anyways I figured he just cut in front of the old kenwood harness, and the wires were just stashed back there, but there is nothing.

I guess best buy was charging $300 to do the install, but I might just tell him I dont feel comfortable, but I feel obliged to do it, as I dont want them to a.) have to give best buy their business and b.) have to pay $300.

I know the kid, he's sort of a friend, its not just some random person.

anyways I will look at his fuse box.

[lotas]

well I finished the install. All went well, it all works and works fine. I had to use a multimeter to get into some ign wires to test for 12v jump and such, found one and it worked out.

anyways they only paid me $40 for 8hours of my time, I even got up at 9in the morning to install it for them cause they had to be able to drive the car that night, I had to goto best buy a couple times to get some fuses and such. Let alone installing on a BMW and running all new wires.

Oh well, good experience, I know how now. And im thankful I got paid.

Thanks guys

[MrSo0h0o]

lol thats 5 bucks an hour!!

i suppose its ok cuz it is a friend and it helps with experience. yea, those trips to the stores to pick up fuses and such are pain in the asses. there was no radio shack nearby?

[lotas]

Originally Posted by MrSo0h0o

lol thats 5 bucks an hour!!

i suppose its ok cuz it is a friend and it helps with experience. yea, those trips to the stores to pick up fuses and such are pain in the asses. there was no radio shack nearby?

well I had to get the fuse holder thats already on wire, and best buy was actually closer than RS

[CaptainPioneer]

damn KIKI u jsut full of info ! lol wish i knew u when i was doin the wiring for my VW and my Dodge lol