Aftermarket CD install question - BMW Forum

jhawth1 · 04-28-2007, 04:37 AM

I have a 1995 318IS and decided to replace the stereo in it. I have put aftermarket speakers in and re wired them. I purchased the antena adaptor but now have no radio? the Stock antenna has 2 wires going to the factory deck and the adaptor I purchased only has one leaving the 2nd small wire hanging. Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks in advance

da_bull · 04-28-2007, 07:43 AM

there are actually 2 antennas in your car. while you travel down the road, the factory radio would choose which antenna is stronger and use it. It samples like 10 times per second or something like that. you dont need the second antenna lead, just tape it off so it doesnt touch anything.

if you still have your factory radio, plug it back in with only the larger of the two antennas and see if it works. tune it to a local AM station. the only reason I say AM is you can pick up some FM stations without an antenna, but you HAVE to have a working antenna to pick up AM.

see what happens there and lemme know...

jhawth1 · 04-28-2007, 07:53 AM

I taped off the smaller of the two and still nothing? Maybe the adapter I bought is defective. Thanks for the quick response. I will see if a new adapter fixes the issue. I just read on the net that the car may have a factory antenna booster that i need to feed power to. Does anyone know which wire that might be?

Thanks again

jhawth1 · 04-28-2007, 08:57 AM

OK so as soon as I hooked up the power to the antenna booster it all worked perfect DOH! Thanks again for the earlier advice :-)

da_bull · 04-28-2007, 09:55 PM

no prob, enjoy your tunes...