Help! A Tough One For You Bmw Audio Guru's

[dropped82]

I have a 1997 318ti, 1.9L M44, 5 speed w/ 10 speaker (non HK) stereo. I just recently installed a new Kenwood head unit. Due to limited parts available i did not use an adaptor harness I just cut and spliced. Anyways, everything works fine except when the car starts moving. When im stopped the radio plays. When i go the radio shuts off. Im stumped. Any help is greatly appreciated. It doesnt matter whether or not the car is in gear.

[jeremer]

Originally posted by dropped82@Jan 26 2005, 09:19 AM
I have a 1997 318ti, 1.9L M44, 5 speed w/ 10 speaker (non HK) stereo. I just recently installed a new Kenwood head unit. Due to limited parts available i did not use an adaptor harness I just cut and spliced. Anyways, everything works fine except when the car starts moving. When im stopped the radio plays. When i go the radio shuts off. Im stumped. Any help is greatly appreciated. It doesnt matter whether or not the car is in gear.

[snapback]279539[/snapback]

The folks at BMW are very thoughtful. They know the great sound from your new HU will distract you from driving and will only let you listen when stopped
Your first mistake is hot wire your car. I did hot wire to others but not on a BMW. I think you disconnect all cables except for speakers and check on the 3 main power cables: red, yellow, and black for constant power, power from ignition, and ground. Hope this help.

[dropped82]

im gonna try...the wiring was extremely simple. I have never heard of this.

[Kissner]

My advice-go buy a 20 dollar adapter and then u don't have to hot wire it and everything will be fixed

[da_bull]

If you have a voltmeter (not a test light), have a buddy run it while you are driving, see if the voltage on the red wire is going above 16 volts or drops below 9 volts. I am assuming it is keeping the clock, presets, and bass/treble settings. If not, check the yellow wire for the same thing. Post the outcome here. I am curious...

You can pick up a cheap meter at a Radio Shack, walmart or whatever you have around you for 15- 20 bucks. If you are going to do car audio much its a nice tool to have.

[Rooz]

You must have some wires not connected all the way. I had a similar problem, my left front speakers kept on going mute on me, the problem was that the wire from the speakers, and the wire from the harness adaptater were just not made for each other, so I weled an extra piece of a diff. wire between them and it workes great...!

[lulul]

Hey man...
Check out this link.

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http://home.att.net/~ebaines/e36_leads.htm