Replacing HU Help

[del23]

Just purchased a 1998 323is with HK system. The HU only has the tape deck. I just want to play CD's. It looks as though the cd changer is cost prohibitive so I want to swap the HU for aftermarket. There is a big sticker on my window that warns me to be careful when installing aftermarket due to electrical concerns. Can I swap it out no problem? (i would not do it, probably install shop). Will it screw anything up? Will the high low button thing still work? Should i warn the installers of anything? Anyone have any aftermarket suggestion? thanks

[El Presidente]

You dont need to warn the installers of anything becuase you are going to install it yourself. It is easier than changing the oil. Going to a shop is huge waste of money. I emphasize HUGE waste. We're talking $50 minium parts+labor, when in reality it would cost you under 10.

All you have to do is unscrew two screws, unplug a harness, use butt connectors to connect the clearly labled wires on your new HUs harness to an adapter (available online or from most install shops), slide in a sleeve with a trim ring behind it, bend the tabs to secure the sleeve, plug in the new harness, slide in the HU, attach faceplate. If you buy a HU from crutchfield the trim ring and adapter are included free, as well as pictoral install instructions.

You will not screw anything up, i dont know what high/low button you speak of, but most likely yes it will.

Alpine, Pioneer, and Panasonic all make good HUs.

[spieluhr]

i second el presidente. Car Toys and other installers will bullshit you till they are blue in the face. Do the install yourself, you would probably have to try to screw up.

PS: GO ALPINE AND ECPLIPSE!

[iantosca]

The hi-lo knob he's speaking of turns the lights on the dashboard up or down. It is located underneath the headlight knob.

[El Presidente]

ahh, the dimmer. It will work depending on the HU you buy. Some HUs actually dim with the lights, whereas others only dim when the headlights are on and at a set level only.

[del23]

actually the high low is audio related and is a switch down by the stick next to the heated seat switches. I think its part of the premium stereo package...I am not sure if I am calling it by the correct name...just read the manual the other day but don't have it next to me...Anyway it says it is suppose to add space to the sound of the stereo. It seems like a glorified LOUD switch....I was just wondering if this would still interface...I assume it had its own wire on the harness somewhere, but the aftermarket HU wouldn't take it...

[El Presidente]

in that case, no, it wont work because thats a fature of the HU. However, many aftermarket HUs have similar features, so the only difference would be the what button is pressed to get the same result.