Stereo change

Andy Comerford

Andy Comerford

Dedicated Member
British Zeds
Joined
Oct 29, 2015
Points
29
Location
Birmingham
Model of Z
Z3
Hi guys,

So I'm straight off the bat in the forum and in with a query haha. I know most you vets on here will probably be rolling your eyes at 'not another stereo thread' for a z3 but I do really need some help!

Ok so my girl is a 1.9 1997 and came without a stereo. I purchased this one as its simple enough for what i need to play my ipod. (The specs are listed should you need to look at them for a reply)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131489183421?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Currently with the correct ISO harness and connector that came with the stereo, it doesn't want to turn on at all. I had an amp meter on the original connector on the loom and it doesnt seem to be making voltage, which leaves me with its something with the car and not the stereo. I checked the fuses and they all look ok and seem to be in the right places for the stereo.

Ive read as much as i can find on the internet about Z's and their stereos and seem to come across alot about one thing.... amps. Ive not had to deal with these on cars before so im abit of a novice with it (im a bit crap with electrics altogether to be honest!)

Ive not had the most in depth search as of yet but currently haven't found an amp in my Z. Do i need one to power this stereo? Do i need one at all?

Some help would be great!
 
Cue @zedonist our stereo expert who will likely be able to answer all your questions. And the only dumb questions are the ones that don't get asked, so welcome from Canada and ask away with any questions you may have! JIM
 
Sounds like you have the same problem I had, I needed a live feed to it. A lecky mate of mine sorted it.
 
If you don't have a speaker grille between the seats but a drop down draw, then you don't have the harmon kardon system and won't have an amp. On this basis as above you np need to locate a switcheable live and tap into this.
 
I think you might need a switchable live and a permanent live, depending on the type of head unit you want to fit.

Tony.
 
t-tony said:
I think you might need a switchable live and a permanent live, depending on the type of head unit you want to fit.
Click to expand...

Agreed the permanent live will be for keeping the memory going (for the radio stations/which track from the USB stick it's playing) and the switched live will be for powering on the head unit...
 
Ok great stuff so far guys thanks! I don't have speakers in between the seats I do indeed have the little storage compartment, so I'm guess from what you've said I don't have the amp powered system.

The head unit I purchased is the link above in my first post, can anyone tell me from looking at the specs of the stereo in the link what I'll need to use to power it and where I can find it! (Wire wise)

Thanks again!
 
Last edited:
I'll try to remember to look tonight Andy.

Tony.
 
BTW if the original BMW connector is still there you can buy an adapter to ISO from Halfords. Not expensive.

Tony.
 
Hi Andy, if it was me and I failed to find a suitable power source I would, put a wire from the cigarette lighter wire under the centre console (which I think is switched with the ignition) to the live of the stereo and incorporate a suitable fuse between (this should already be on your new stereo harness) and then find a suitable continuous live, this can be a wire direct to the battery (make sure it is suitably fused) but a continuous live should be easy to locate that runs to the ignition switch.

But this is me and I am not advocating that this is the correct way (but it would work).
 
Thanks Tony!! I already have the correct ISO connector plugged into the original stereo plug and then the one that comes with the new stereo plugged in to that. Ill get a picture this afternoon too it may be easier with something to look at.

Also thanks TaffZee! I see what Tony comes back with also but I may try that too!
 
Heres a quick snap of the whole thing so far just for something to look at. New ISO in to the original block and the stereo cable in to the ISO. Im not bothered about the aerial as i wont listen to the radio anyway purely for playing my ipod.

IMG_2817.webp
 
Can the coverter plug in to the car loom differently? It looks like all the wires in the car are to the right and your plugged into the left?
It may be the way it just looks but are you sure you have that plugged in right ?
 
TaffZee said:
...a wire from the cigarette lighter wire under the centre console (which I think is switched with the ignition)...
Click to expand...
mmmmm not on my Z3 Jim, the cigarette lighter socket is live all the time...
 
@Andy Comerford hi Andy, just looked at the wiring diagram for the Kenwood unit and it looks like the Red wire needs a switched live and the Yellow a permanent live. I can see from your photo you have connected red - red and yellow - yellow. It may be that it needs to be reversed.
It wouldn't hurt to try swapping them over ie red - yellow.
Capture 2.webp
 
Sorry late getting back to this thread , I had the same problem a few years ago. But if Andy had this with his it would still work but wouldn't store any radio pre-sets. I would disconnect right back to the original BMW connector and check all the terminals for a live source, switched and permanent live. If neither are present check back to fuses which feed these wires.

Tony.
 
Th
Mint said:
@Andy Comerford hi Andy, just looked at the wiring diagram for the Kenwood unit and it looks like the Red wire needs a switched live and the Yellow a permanent live. I can see from your photo you have connected red - red and yellow - yellow. It may be that it needs to be reversed.
It wouldn't hurt to try swapping them over ie red - yellow.View attachment 23217
Click to expand...
is worked for me
 
As @t-tony said the yellow and red are both lives one switched and one perminant if wrong at worse when ignition on it would work and store the presets to the radio but when turned off lose everything.
It would work both ways just not properly.
 
First thing I tried was swapping the red and yellow wires around and still nothing. So I think the only thing left to try is what most of you have said and try and patch in the perm and semi live wires for power?
 
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