How to install an aftermarket head unit, amp and sub into a BMW e46 with Harmon Kardon

[@ItsJoshN]

Some things for those watching. The headunit will have RCA line level outputs, so you will not need a line output converter, you will just run RCAs from the back of the headunit to the sub amp in the trunk. Also, most aftermarket head unit wiring harnesses come with their own remote wire. You can connect them together and run them to the rear with your RCAs. No need to splice into the factory harness or use an LOC. BUT if you are doing sub+amp and keeping the stock headunit, THEN you WILL need an LOC and to use the stock amps remote signal.

[@kenjones2461]

So I can connect the blue white the blue and the remote wire ?

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

Correct

[@jeeb3545]

Thank you!

[@poolplaster559]

I was wondering if all that was necessary. Lol

[@RBEmerson]

Whoa! Something easy on a BMW? Just can't be! Seriously, thanks for walking me through replacing the head. I'm going to jump right on it. As soon as the dealer finishes messing with stuff outside of my skill set. Grrr... Kinda brave to do the job with the car powered up, though. ADDED: Got the car back - dear punted on a couple things including one of the pin holders for the above-radio trim. GGRRR... When splicind the radio harness to the adapter, use the installation manual for color code and function, and the cheat sheet on the adapter's bag. RTFM!!! Everything worked as shown here. Two tips - when removing the screws, notice the pin above each screw. When putting in the new fascia piece, make sure the pins come through the holes above the screw holes. When stuffing the OEM connecter into the dash, there's some free space and to the left toward the steering wheel. Otherwise, this job really is easy-peasy.

[@StonyShooto]

there's something wrong in this video where does he tap into the ibus connector? the music wont sound good because it needs to be converted into a different signal

[@arrogantambassadorproducti4670]

Simple, straightforward and informative. Thanks for the video.

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

Thanks man I really appreciate the feedback

[@azelaz5053]

How did you make the wiring look like this? The kit needs to be put together but you don't explain it

[@Geoduck.]

Very well done detailed but directly to the point. Impressive real time swap / install for that head unit.

[@axellgonzalez8211]

i dont even have a beamer but i watched the whole vid good job my guy

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

Thank you for the support

[@reubthedude4538]

7:52 surely someone has made a bypass converter so u can put all the wiring into a modem amplifier

[@forgiven_lightofficial3732]

Orange usually for illumination when u turn on headlights

[@brianbien94]

I figured it out, you just hook up the remote wiring harness from stereo deck to the new wiring harness to power antenna wire and it will work

[@teeceehonda]

If you have time do a video on how to replace the factory hk amp with and aftermarket one..i wanna replace my hk amp with a rf prime 4 channel amp

[@jaydsounds1721]

my wire harness has no room to fit and i don’t know what to do, i cannot fit the wire harness back there AND have the hu in at the same time , there is no room

[@DIYTee]

Correct me if I'm wrong but if you have harmon kardon the harmon kardon leads come with RCA'S that plug into the back of the head unit

[@scottsomkhit544]

Mine didn’t come with the other wire that connect the radio! Do I need that?

[@devinfabian7905]

were you able to use the steering wheel controls too?

[@c_henny1481]

Devin Fabian I think so I will let you know by Friday because I am switching out my radio also

[@c_henny1481]

Devin Fabian I was not able to keep my steering wheel controls but everything else is great I highly recommend this

[@c_henny1481]

Gustavo Estrada yes everything sounds great

[@tweedjohnny8740]

Excellent video !

[@tyler5087]

great video! you really go in depth this should have more views.

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

Thanks man, positive feedback is always great

[@jorgepizarro3327]

Yep.. and less thumbs-down. I've installed custom audio/visual equipment since 1994 and this video was excellent. Keep up the great work 💪🏾

[@onlycryptofans]

@@bloodsweatbeers770 you left your ignition on the whole time bro?

[@seanbeattie812]

Can you put a link or the description of what type of antenna adapter you used?

[@sharpz44]

Decent vid,about to do the same but without the LOC, using speaker wire to RCA to an Alpine SWE 815 sub-amp, doing it with out the LOC will give better quality... apparently

[@JustineIzaaks-lh6pv]

Do you have to buy the adapter seperate to the radio or does it come with it?

[@beamerboyproductions2789]

+ you dont need a concerter just run rca's from your head unit to the trunk

[@artyom-does-something]

Nice lanyard. Just got my '02 330i from a scrap yard that fixed it but it's got a handful of problems still unfortunately

[@ettoreltf]

Hi, Did you keep the steering wheel functions? I have a 2001 320ci without the HK sound system. Would it work for me? I don't need an android radio. Thank you.

[@jacobtrusley9059]

So if you don’t want to put a sub in will it not work just replacing the head unit

[@wefkisaleh8002]

The hardest part is the wiring of the harness !

[@raymondramosiii6422]

I have a 99 E39 without the DSP would it still be the same colored wires as yours to hook up

[@philipgrobler7253]

If you are not careful in pulling off the trim, you will find that later when reinstalling the trim, it does does not sit firmly anymore because you have broken the clips, the one next to the radio is the easiest to break if you pull the trim off at an angle like you did ...

[@justinzepplin344]

Dude you just saved me so much time

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

No problem just here to help, and feel free to check out some of my other videos

[@amadoukone3234]

Hey quick questions, so the adapter you used for the stereo, did u have to splice the wires or did it just plug straight into the new stereo?

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

You need to splice the aftermarket stereo harness and the adapter harness together then plug into factory

[@e36fanatics]

so the actual head unit doesnt bolt on to anything it just sits there and moves freely? is there no better solution than this?

[@phillipneblich474]

Where did you get your head unit from and was it Bluetooth?

[@tonybelmonte1724]

Where do you get the adapter

[@carlosbelasco183]

I did the same thing but my amp is not turn on what could I have done wrong?

[@scottsomkhit544]

I can’t get my stereo to work! Is there another wire you put in?

[@iovannymillan8466]

Love that lanyard

[@danielsmith8860]

Will this work with an 06 M3 convertible with the Harmon Kardon system? Or do I have to do any other steps? Can you recommend any units that will work best?

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

I’m sure it would work the exact same and any head unit would work but I would recommend a single din radio because there’s limited storage in those interior

[@TangoCharlieAlpha]

Very detailed! Thank you.

[@kimatlekleven3189]

Hi, can you tell me what purpos all the wiers you used on the amp was fore? Like the brun and yellow was fore remote and sow on?

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

The four wires on the the factory amp that I tapped into were for the line output converter. So I could get a signal for my rca and remote to go into the aftermarket amp

[@nass9991]

Hi I just bought a e46 with harman kardon and was wondering if I installed an aftermarket alpine head unit, would the stock HK amp and trunk subs still work ?

[@drago7410]

same

[@nass9991]

@@drago7410 so I installed the alpine headunit and subwoofer with subwoofer amplifier , everything still works like a charm, but I just passed the cables of the alpine sub amp all the way to the alpine head unit

[@AlexBogdanVolken]

awesome, suport _+++ big up, i got 98 bmw e46, do i have amp as well? stock?

[@that682kid.C]

why didn't you run your rca from head deck to anp

[@jgazda9742]

does this work the same for pre 2002? mine is a 2001

[@toddstanfield572]

So to install an aftermarket head unit and nothing else do you need to use a line output converter? Doesnt look like you did installing the head unit

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

No need for the converter but will still need the adapter for the head unit

[@anilshewraj8663]

Where did you get everything for the dash kit install. Can I please get a link ?

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

I believe this was the product I used in the video and I’m sure it’s sold on amazon.com as well. www.amazon.ca/BMW-Faceplate-Complete-Aftermarket-Installation/dp/B003U8LNJ6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1532880123&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=bmw+dash+install+kit&psc=1

[@user-mf6nx9re7u]

where did you get head unit wiring adapter ?

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

Just bought it off amazon came with the adapter and dash install kit

[@justinzepplin344]

I got mine off eBay came with everything

[@uhohstinky5905]

did putting an aftermarket head unit take away your steering wheel volume control or no?

[@cdhidalgo2009]

Yes it does, just get a axxess aswc-1 module to get steering wheel controls back

[@noorrao3029]

What head unit did u use?

[@AntonioGarcia-xk6jd]

Thanks for the video....

[@Trizzie]

Thank you for the information!

[@jgazda9742]

why didn’t you ground it to the battery?

[@tanujjassi5339]

I installed sony mex- 5200bt in my e46 with steering control harness.front trim didnt settle properly. Its bit lifted bcz of facia dash kit being underneath it. Do u reckon its bcz of kit or shit load of wires I put behind stereo.? There were so many wires after SWC harness but stereo got stuck in properly. Should I change dash kit?

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

Might be the kit but usually they fit alright, I guess it’s the wires behind because I remember having a ton of issues with tucking them back there

[@tanujjassi5339]

Jank Gang yeah, just checked the fasia kit my is super slim whiles urs is bit wider from bottom, just noticed now. Can u tell me model num of trim. I have same head unit nd there are couple of trims out there.

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

I believe I put the kit I used in the description if your curious

[@zackrabold8660]

Can I do this exact same thing if I don’t have Harmon kardon system?

[@cripknuckles9112]

Yes but with way less steps. Basically just the first part.

[@firestud1238]

if i have rca jacks in the back of my headunit will i need the line output converter?

[@ethanstyles8730]

If you have rca cables in your head unit you should not need the lone output cable

[@theicelandicyungsnow8470]

My battery is in the front and I don't know why, I'm installing a sub in my car and I can't find a video of a e46 316i that has the battery in the front of the car, anyone that can help me?

[@straightpipeboys5530]

Are all the converters gonna have those color wires?

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

Typically they are all pretty standard colors

[@tenspeed7711]

How come you didnt run the RCA's to the rear of the deck to the amp? I know that way works also just always ran it to the deck of the car? Let me know thank you for the info great video man 🤙

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

I believe I just did it that way for ease of wiring so I wasn’t pulling up the entire interior. Also I wanted to run a line output converter anyways but I’m sure you could just splice into the one behind the stereo and run it back with the rca’s

[@tenspeed7711]

@@bloodsweatbeers770 awesome thanks for getting back to me so fast doing mine today actually haha thanks for the info man 🤙😎

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

Good luck! It’s not overly difficult but it’s always nice to see how someone else did it first

[@thejianina1]

Front speakers are not hooked up to the amp right?

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

Correct, the after market amp it connected only to the sub directly and connected to the rear L/R speakers through the out put converter box

[@KiaaComm]

Why you didn’t run RCAs and remote wire from your after market if you already changed it out 🤔

[@Kieren.5]

That's what I'm thinking

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

I just found this way to be the easiest way while still retaining and Harmon kardon audio but I’m sure there would be a way to skip the step of using the line output converter but this way is also nice because you don’t have to pull apart your interior

[@KiaaComm]

@jank Gang your losing watts going to that line in converter

[@leeghany5163]

@@bloodsweatbeers770 please tell me. I don't want to have another sub or amp Need the space as it's a converable 325ci

[@andremorency5927]

Can you tell me if your car got a hifi amp and how many wires in the harness?

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

I’m not really sure what a hifi amp is but I could count the wires on it if you wanted me to

[@andremorency5927]

It is like a factory amp. Yes count the wires for me?

[@c_henny1481]

What brand is the head unit

[@skriptzz2988]

Sony

[@AntonioGarcia-xk6jd]

How the hell did you the upper ac vent out, i been trying to push the radio in and i can't get the radio harness pushed into the inner left pocket.... i am stuck🥵😡

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

I don’t believe I pulled it out at all but it definitely was quite the trick getting all the wires packed

[@AntonioGarcia-xk6jd]

@@bloodsweatbeers770 omg... i broke it...the upper ac vent.... gonna order used one on Ebay, i am lucky st least i found one to buy....

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

Might be able to find one at a local wreckers as well, I found a lot of parts at those places

[@pimdonkers4375]

How secure is the headunit? Can it be push back?

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

No the adapter plate attaches to it and screws into the dash

[@kristiannelangeland1468]

Thanks:)

[@wait666bleed]

I'm jus surprised you did this with the car in the on position 😬

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

Always important to practice safety lol

[@OpTicxScope]

@@bloodsweatbeers770 that was not safe lol

[@BerserkNBA]

Clear video, thanks

[@TheRafelito19]

I rather run a composite cable from the after market stereo.

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

That is possible but probably not worth it as you will still need to use the remote wire to turn on the factory amp and then you would need to splice that wire up front and tare up all your interior to run the wire back. It just seemed like more work to me

[@GangShid]

Can you just swap the head unit

[@beamerboyproductions2789]

your suposed to slide the head unit throug the dash kit

[@jgazda9742]

are all replacement radios a standard size?

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

Almost all aftermarket radios have 2 standard sizes, single din and double din. To fit in this car you will need a single din that looks like the one in the video

[@jgazda9742]

Jank Gang thanks man!

[@TheRomanoLV]

Where can I find the stock amp? Mine isn't in the trunk

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

Probably find it in a junkyard

[@TheRomanoLV]

@@bloodsweatbeers770 Turns out only americam e46s come with this sound system, I would have to manually feed the wire from the radio

[@Kieren.5]

Can't u run sub straight from headunit

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

Well since the factory amp uses the remote cable out of aftermarket head unit I found it to just be easier to do it this way and I didn’t have to pull up my interior

[@orangecounty7144]

Aftermarket head unit, yes. Stock factory head unit, no. You can do it like in this video, regardless if it's the stock factory HU or an aftermarket HU...

[@productivememberofsociety7343]

Where did you get the headunit?

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

fished it outta the walmart dumpster but you can pick one up at any walmart (inside), Canadian tire, or audio store.

[@carlinautagavaia384]

The fact you did the head unit with the car turned on and the battery unconnected is beyond me…

[@schuylermeyers1680]

What is the model number on the head unit

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

Unfortunately I do not own this car anymore so I can’t recall the number but it shouldn’t be hard to find online

[@alternativegaming8816]

The little peice you put in next to factory amp that goes from there to a power... what's that called? Thanks

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

The little box I added is called a line out put converter and goes from there to the aftermarket amp as well as to a volume control knob

[@rishisharma8608]

@@bloodsweatbeers770 do you have a link for me for the line out converter?

[@thebrain6201]

You skipped the hardest part which was how to get the radio inside the dash its nearly impossible

[@that682kid.C]

I hooked up my head deck ran rca from headeck to amp it turns on but no sound.

[@e36fanatics]

you need to run new speaker wires... then it will work.

[@iblendz1766]

Who got the playlist tho? Lmao

[@TheLocalGent]

great video but i would turn the car off first SMH haha

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

Haha wouldn’t be a bad idea

[@wefkisaleh8002]

Dude you completely neglected to mention where you connected the remote to...

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

The remote from the head unit goes into the factory wiring and the remote from the line output converter goes to the amp

[@carlitot5388]

This bmw install looks more easier then my 04 xc90 Volvo 🤦‍♂️

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

Haha hopefully all goes well with the Volvo as they can be pretty tricky to work on

[@Dirtyzone1979]

👍🏽

[@donperignon7702]

My battery is at the front of the car 🤣

[@iblendz1766]

2020 anyone?

[@cripknuckles9112]

Yep

[@mra.a1742]

Aftermarket headunit in a BMW= never.

[@mattsommers4111]

YEET DAB NICE M3 BRO ILL BUY IT FOR 55K

[@orangecounty7144]

matthew sommers ..55K what? Mexican pesos.

[@dlocsgshit509]

How did you able to get the back seat down?

[@bloodsweatbeers770]

It was an option on some models for skis to pass through