Need clarification of installing aftermarket radio [Archive]

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PsiFry

05-02-2008, 12:15 PM

I've read thru the threads regarding installing aftermarket radios and getting confused by the different messages/answers.

My car: '95 525i

Problem I have:

No sound from stereo

What I did:

1. Took out factory radio (I think Alpine)
2. Purchased JVC KD-NX5000 stereo /w navigation
3. Purchased Metra wiring harness
4. Soldered connections together (blue to blue, brown to brown, etc)

Some threads say to connect all the negatives together, but it looks like for older models w/wo harnesses.

Do I need to bypass/replace the amp? I assume there is an amp somewhere in the car, though I cannot find any mention in the Bentley manual. Is it under the backseat?

I've tried the different settings on the radio to turn on and off the built-in amp but no luck (cranked volume all the way up).

Anyone know what the other connector is right below the main connector? It is a little, white rectangular one and was plugged into the back of the factory radio. I assume it is the CD Changer.

Also, in addition, it looks like there are two antenna connections on the factory radio - one that uses the big connector and another with a small one. What is the small one used for on the factory radio? The connector says "AMP" but I am not sure if that is the brand or the function. Is that for the telephone?

I called JVC, but they were of no help. "They don't have any information on the cars they install into. Take it to a JVC dealer install shop."

thanks for your time.

attack eagle

05-02-2008, 12:32 PM

did you connnect the remote wire (aka system trigger, aka amp turn on lead, etc etc either blue or bluen white... but NOT the POWER ANTENNA WIRE) to turn the factory amp on?

PsiFry

05-02-2008, 01:34 PM

525i winter driver

05-02-2008, 02:57 PM

did you connnect the remote wire (aka system trigger, aka amp turn on lead, etc etc either blue or bluen white... but NOT the POWER ANTENNA WIRE) to turn the factory amp on?
+1
if you don't hear a soft thud from the speakers when you turn the head on, then the wire AE mentioned is probably not connected... extremely likely this is your problem...

PsiFry

05-02-2008, 04:35 PM

appreciate the quick replies. Will have to tear it all when I get home.

Now I have to worry about the noises the car makes now that I can hear everything since I don't have a working radio. ;) "is that whirring sound normal or is something wrong" :)

bubba966

05-02-2008, 07:55 PM

The amp should be in the trunk on the left side behind the carpet on the left side of the trunk. It's that piece you have to take off to get the tail light bulbs out.

attack eagle

05-03-2008, 01:01 AM

Thanks Eagle for the quick reply.

Power antenna wire is not connected. It's labeled pretty clearly and I took my time checking and double-checking the connections, but I'll check it against the schematics in the manual later.

This the connector I used:

www.mobilevideoauthority.com/catalog/item/4719972/4766700.htm

now the wire you use on the CONNECTOR is possibly( AND PROBABLY) LABELED power antenna... it will be the only blue or blue white wire on the connector.
http://www.mobilevideoauthority.com/i/Metra/70-8590.jpg

the one on the HEAD UNIT that connects to that should be REMOTE, not power antenna (if your head has both).

http://www.ultimateaccessoryconnection.com/images/////blackalpine.jpg
for the antenna, you use a euro to standard (sometimes labeled VW antenna to standard) adapter

will look like the upper one in the below picture
http://www.tss-radio.com/volkswagenaudi-antenna-adapter-p-4086.html

PsiFry

05-05-2008, 09:36 PM

now the wire you use on the CONNECTOR is possibly( AND PROBABLY) LABELED power antenna... it will be the only blue or blue white wire on the connector.

the one on the HEAD UNIT that connects to that should be REMOTE, not power antenna (if your head has both).

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! That got it working.