Replace stock amplifier only ?

[BMWDriver]

Hi.
Just got my first BMW, 1992 525i, and I've been dreaming about owning a BMW since forever. So I'm happy as a clam ! :)

I've searched the forum, and there's a lot of talk for a complete sound system overhaul, which I don't want to do ($$).

My rear right speaker turns on and off with a cackle after 30 minutes of driving - after not having played at full volume. It does emit sound, but faintly outside of when it kicks in. At first it cackles only for a bit, then the speaker stays on a few moments, and then makes clicks again.

I strongly suspect something's wrong with the amp. I've only just seen the pictures here of where to find this amp, so I'll look at it. I'm certain it's not the wiring or a faulty connection, because it would not happen only after 30 minutes, but as soon as I turn on the system. Bumps on the road have no effect on the problem either.

I'm satisfied with my sound system (stock head unit with CD changer), so my only consideration so far is to change the amp, but not necessarily getting a used amp. The speakers are in pristine condition, and I like how they sound otherwise. Any recommendations ? Any particular kind of aftermarket amp that might work as an equivalent ?

I'm in Canada if that helps.

Thanks.

[McWatters]

I also want to know more about the e34 system. I just bought 2 12" Infinity Subwooffs (baswerx box if u care) ,planning on gettiin a RF amp. will i have to do any modifications to the stock set up.

Also I have a Sony xplod deck(**** **** **** pure **** i know) but when i fade all the sound the the rear speakers,,,, they dont work, they only work when its in the middle. wtf is up with that bad wiring job???

Cheers

J.McWatters

[Javier]

"Babaria C Professional RDS" the stock amp is quite more than the amp. It also holds the tuner system and crossovers for the different speakers (ten in total). In my case, to change amp also means to change head unit and probably modify the speaker system.

I got once the issue you described, but with the front left twitter (the one installed in the door). It ended being the connection between the AMP mother board and one auxiliary board (They are at 90 degrees and connectors are metal spring wires going into holes at connecting board, I found it as I opened the amplifier wile operating the radio, shaking the boards reproduced the issue, further analysis show the connector points very weak, so I decided to put some solder in there (know now it is not detachable, but have worked fine ever since).

Javier

[grave77]

it is for sure ... totaly wrong wireing ... click here (http://http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/upgrade/Stereo_wiring.htm)and review the wires to the rear amplifire so you would know what to do. IF you sony deack have 8 wires for speakers then you connect every 2 commons to getther via a 4.7Ohms resistor and connect it to the common input of the Left or Rght depending on the inputs ur using.

if u had any problems then email me ... as I have fixed my damaged amp last week and I know all its connections now.

[grave77]

I think that no all amps have the antenna amplifier there ... mine had nothing but i think it feeds the power to the antenna amplifire. still not sure. but since I fixed my burnt IC last week and I wanted to test the amp before mounting it back I havn't seen anything related to the antenna at all. do u know different versions of the rear amp?

[Javier]

a white wire coming from the head unit, and also going to the Amp. Think I've seen some posts about this white wire.

e-mailed you some drawings.

Javier

[Exact-Oh]

Hi.
Just got my first BMW, 1992 525i, and I've been dreaming about owning a BMW since forever. So I'm happy as a clam ! :)

I've searched the forum, and there's a lot of talk for a complete sound system overhaul, which I don't want to do ($$).

My rear right speaker turns on and off with a cackle after 30 minutes of driving - after not having played at full volume. It does emit sound, but faintly outside of when it kicks in. At first it cackles only for a bit, then the speaker stays on a few moments, and then makes clicks again.

I strongly suspect something's wrong with the amp. I've only just seen the pictures here of where to find this amp, so I'll look at it. I'm certain it's not the wiring or a faulty connection, because it would not happen only after 30 minutes, but as soon as I turn on the system. Bumps on the road have no effect on the problem either.

I'm satisfied with my sound system (stock head unit with CD changer), so my only consideration so far is to change the amp, but not necessarily getting a used amp. The speakers are in pristine condition, and I like how they sound otherwise. Any recommendations ? Any particular kind of aftermarket amp that might work as an equivalent ?

I'm in Canada if that helps.

Thanks.

It is not a simple thing to just replace the amp, or the receiver for that matter. It could be a connection issue, as discussed earlier... but try and expose the amp in the trunk, and see if it still happens, it might be a temperature issue. Exposing the amp would keep it cooler, and may help determine the problem.

[grave77]

yeh that wire is the one activates the amplifire on ACC also it the power to the RF amplifire ... I replied to u in the email ... I think that the RF amp is located somewhere else I still dont know where

[BMWDriver]

I'm definitely going to take out the amp and have a look inside it's entrails. We'll see from there. I'll be glad if indeed it's just a matter of soldering. Thanks for the tips Javier.

I'm still curious to find out if I can just replace the amp with an aftermarket one.

[BMWDriver]

It is not a simple thing to just replace the amp, or the receiver for that matter. It could be a connection issue, as discussed earlier... but try and expose the amp in the trunk, and see if it still happens, it might be a temperature issue. Exposing the amp would keep it cooler, and may help determine the problem.

The weather is cold out here. So I thought perhaps heat made it better. I touched it this afternoon as I located it, and there is thick grease or vaseline type gel on it. It's a bit suspicious. I'll also try tapping on it as the system is on to see if that does anything.

[Torque]

If you need an amp, I got 2 for sale. One out of a '89 without the Equalizer module, and the other out of a 91 with the equalizer module made by Blaupunkt. Both are used, but worked well a week ago when I took them out.

[grave77]

well ... something many guys in here didnt notice, is that the OEM amp is delivering the maximum power could be delivered by a normal 12V amplifier, also you will not find any amplifire with the OEM output crossover network. therefore I would advice you to enhance the bass system in ur car by adding one subwoofer in the middle of the back seat, check at Brunos website (http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/upgrade/stereo_subwoofer.htm) subwoofer install from the OEM amp lines. this would help you for sure. if your looking for a total change then you need a custom made system from A-z. still I made hell of a change in my system but I still use the OEM Amp.since you wont get a better sound on the front unless u want to change the doors interior to handle a big speaker. check this website (http://www.e34.de/frames.php)for some ideas if you like to impliment some.

[Exact-Oh]

I agree on the front speaker issue. I went with component speakers up front, with tweeters that fit in the factory spots in the doors, and mid-range in the kick panels, with the cross-overs behind them. I layed aftermarket sound-deadening material behind the speakers in the kick panels, 'cause due to size constraints, I had to remove the factory sound deadener back there.

[grave77]

must have been a tough job mate. I'm thinking of adding a little enhancement in the front speakers ( kick zone ) maybe a fiber glass box with small bass reflex ... still scratching it on paper ...

[BMWDriver]

Well, I took it out, took it apart to see its innards, and put it back together and in the car. Cleaned up the grease on it, and it stopped making clicks when the right rear speaker kicks in. But, however, it still plays intermittently. So problem not solved, except for Torque here who has the best solution for me right now.

Since I'm not equipped to investigate the amp board, I'll change the amp. Thanks for all of your replies. I duly note what you mention here, since I might be interested in changing the head unit to add mp3 playability to my 525. But that's for later. I'll have to check compatibility issues with the BMW CD changer.

I'll see about a whoofer, but I think get enough base with the speakers I have now. We'll see.

[Torque]

You got mail.

[Craig in Davis]

including tax and environmental fees. It works great and was certainly a cheap fix.


Craig

[BMWDriver]

Turns out it's the head unit. The right rear output is unstable coming from the head unit.

Right now I'm thinking Nakamichi. I'm a bit tired of the CD changer in the trunk, so a nice MP3 capable player'd be nice. Plus I'm not interested in cutting up the armrest to fit in the CD changer.

But damn these Nakamichis are hard to find up here in Canada. Nothing comes up on web searches except for ebay, and that's from overseas sellers ! I don't like the idea very much.

[Elekta]

Send off the headunit to get rebuilt before you do anything major. It will cost you $100 including shipping and will solve 90% of your problems. That's what I have done. I subsequently added a new amp, eq and speakers, but still use and love the original look of oem.

The ad is in the back of any Roundel. If you search my stereo threads, I think I have the link. If I find it I will edit and put it in here.

here it is.

www.soundrepair.com You will get baggy full of your old capacitors/transistors...

great deal