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3 minute read
Radio Wiring and Amp Bypass
Compliments of StereoInstaller1 @ r3vlimited.com
12-8-2010
First, let me say this is NOT applicable to all E30s. Generally, Late Model (88+) will have this wiring on premium sound cars. IF you have a fader in the dash, this MAY work: you need to unwrap about 8" of fader harness to see if you have 4 pairs of speaker wires, as some cars have only 6 wires, not 4 pairs (8 total) so if this chart does not apply PERFECTLY to your car, don't use it.
Quick disclaimer: this is not idiot proof. You mess it up, don't whine at me, I do not care.
If this saves you countless hours of hassle or you are just feeling generous, feel free to paypal me a tip. Add "@gmail.com" to Stereoinstaller1 and I promise to only use the money for projects on my car.
OK, here is the info.
Obviously, what you do here is simple: connect the "deck" wire to the "dash" wire, then back at the trunk, connect that "dash" wire to the "speaker" wire.
This is not rocket surgery, boys. Get it done.
Aftermarket-----------Dash Wires-----------Speaker Wires
RF+ Grey--------------Blue/Red-------------Grey/White
RF- Grey/Black--------Brown/Orange--------Grey/Brown
LF+ White------------Yellow/Red------------Grey/Red
LF- White/Black-------Brown/Orange--------Grey/Violet
RR+ Violet------------Blue/Black------------Black/White
RR- Violet/Black-------Brown/Orange--------Black/Brown
LR+ Green------------Yellow/Black----------Black/Red
LR- Green/Black-------Brown/Orange--------Black/Violet
(+12V Unswitched) Yellow----Red/Green (Changes to Yellow at C302)
(+12V ACC) Red-------------Violet/White (Changes to Voilet/Grey at C302)
(Ground) Black---------------Brown (may also be Brown/Black)
(ILL) Orange-----------------Grey/Red (Changes to White at C302)
(P ANT) Blue-----------------White (this is one of 2 white wires)
(AMP REM) Blue/White--------White (this is the one in the same harness as the speakers)
My reasoning is simple: no one who uses a diagram like this even knows who Bruce Brisson or Noel Lee are, much less Ray Kimber (who sells wire that ISN'T snake oil) so the quality of the wire you are gonna get at Monoprice or Home Depot (or get 1000X screwed on at your local car stereo whore shop) is WAY worse than what is already in your car: twisted pair, high copper content, generally excellent condition, neatly ran, no noise, etc...the stock BMW wires kick that shit out of 99.999% of the professionals out there, much less the neophyte installer.
Another advantage is that should you decide to add am amplifier to your system, you can simply connect in the trunk. Run your RCAs and all else is done!
Guys, again: please use the stock wire wherever possible.
