Kenwood HU only make sound in radio mode? (E39 stock amp)

[jinroh]

It is a 2000 528i Touring with non-DSP 10 spk sound system with stock amp, cassette, no nav, no cd, no cd changer. I took out the cassette and mid, putted a kenwood excelon KDC-X592 head unit.

The problem is: the HU only plays radio. when I switch to CD or USB mode, the faceplate shows the HU is playing the cd/mp3 correctly, but I can't hear anything. Switch back to radio, the sound is loud and clear again.

My first thought is the HU is a bad one. Since I have the same HU (well, not exactly same, older model, but pretty much same including wiring socket) on my Mazda Miata. I swap the HUs to test it. The new HU plays everything perfectly on Miata, and the old unit still can't make any sound when playing cd/mp3.

I am stuck. What could be wrong? wiring problem? How can the stock amp tell the difference of signal from radio or cd/mp3, then decide to only play radio signal?

[da_bull]

Ahhhh, Kenwood and Sony. They've always done this. They have two remote turn on leads. One is blue, and one is blue with a white stripe. The blue one is a remote "antenna" lead and the blu/wht is a remote "amp" lead. The "ant" lead actually shuts off when you go to CD/USB because it knows during those sources, your power "antenna" on the outside of your car doesnt need to be up, so it lowers it back into the fender. The remote "amp" lead stays on during whatever source you are listening to because it knows you need a remote for your "amp" all the time.

In short, swap the two blue wires.

Now you can take this info and make money off your friends if they have the same problem and they have either a Sony or Kenwood. I only require 20% of the money you will make off betting your friends. I will send you my paypal information. These two companies have done this since the late 70's.

to werkz BTW...

Bill

[jinroh]

I figured it out.

There is a mistake in my wiring.
I should wire HU's Power Const to Amp's Remote On (white). Instead I wired HU's Power Anten. to Amp's Remote On. So the stock amp got triggered only in radio mode.

[jinroh]

Originally Posted by da_bull

Ahhhh, Kenwood and Sony. They've always done this. They have two remote turn on leads. One is blue, and one is blue with a white stripe. The blue one is a remote "antenna" lead and the blu/wht is a remote "amp" lead.

Hi Bull. I just saw your post after I got upstairs and posted my finding. That's exactly my problem. Thank You

Originally Posted by da_bull

Now you can take this info and make money off your friends if they have the same problem and they have either a Sony or Kenwood. I only require 20% of the money you will make off betting your friends. I will send you my paypal information.

See sir. You are entitled of my 20% profit. If any of them give me dozen of beers, I will mail you two or three.

[witeshark]

That antenna retract is a great idea. I always wanted my E30 to do that.

[da_bull]

Unless you have a Kenwood/Sony, the only way I could think of doing it, is put a switch inline on the remote lead, to where it would shut the antenna lead off. Not quite as cool as it doing it automatically, but it would work.

[bhyphy]

does dis also works for a alpine head unit n for a 2001 325i? because i got da same problem

[da_bull]

Yeah, I forgot some Alpines do that too.

to werkz BTW...

[denyo77]

I'm too cool for ya guys... my antenna is one of those short ones on the roof and it doesn't need to be lowered

[da_bull]

you dang 10-window guys anyways...

[denyo77]

thanks, bull, just noticed I got 10 windows...
I could put my car on top of a parking garage and claim I live in a penthouse

[da_bull]

do it...pix or ban...