Author Topic: Few general questions (Read 8955 times)

magnum2066 · « **on:** January 09, 2007, 07:50:59 PM »

So I thought I would replace the factory radio with something a tad more modern. (Click Me) But I wound up finding out that I would need to lay down another $115 for labor and speaker wire because my 318is (91') was grounded differently. The only thing to the audio so far was replace all the 5 1/4 speakers with some Alpines. My question here is does it sound right that I would need to rewire the car first before I can install the new deck?

Secondly, my SRS light has always blinked. But it just stayed on the entire day, is there something wrong?

Third, I need to replace all my brake pads. The "Brake Lining" light is on and I read somewhere that when replacing the pads I also need to replace the sensor. Am I able to just use a service reset tool instead?

There are a bunch more but I can't remember them off the top of my head. Thanks in advance!

scottiesharpe · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2007, 08:18:00 PM »

Quote from: magnum2066;17247

So I thought I would replace the factory radio with something a tad more modern. (Click Me) But I wound up finding out that I would need to lay down another $115 for labor and speaker wire because my 318is (91') was grounded differently.

No this doesn't sound right. Your BMW is a 12v Negative ground like every other car on the road today.

shutter · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2007, 08:51:35 PM »

There are two brake pad sensors; one in the left front and one in the right rear. They are super easy to install and fairly inexpensive. You will definitely need to replace those if you want the light to turn off.

The SRS light sounds like a good reason to get an mtech steering wheel and ditch the air bag =]

Wise Old Dog · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2007, 09:53:17 PM »

If your car has the premium sound package, yes you will have to run new wires. In this system, the head unit has a separate amp in the trunk. The wires that exit the head unit run to the amp, not the speakers. I just went through this myself. If you have the standard sound package, this is not required, as the wires run directly to the speakers.

jpod999 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 09, 2007, 10:36:38 PM »

That headunit is the same thing as mine I think. Mine came with a remote control, does that one too?

RED IS 91 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 10, 2007, 06:16:20 AM »

Quote from: magnum2066;17247

So I thought I would replace the factory radio with something a tad more modern. (Click Me) But I wound up finding out that I would need to lay down another $115 for labor and speaker wire because my 318is (91') was grounded differently. The only thing to the audio so far was replace all the 5 1/4 speakers with some Alpines. My question here is does it sound right that I would need to rewire the car first before I can install the new deck?

Secondly, my SRS light has always blinked. But it just stayed on the entire day, is there something wrong?

Third, I need to replace all my brake pads. The "Brake Lining" light is on and I read somewhere that when replacing the pads I also need to replace the sensor. Am I able to just use a service reset tool instead?

There are a bunch more but I can't remember them off the top of my head. Thanks in advance!

easy search ........speaker wiring

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1719

As far as "brake warning light" I just disconnected the bulb from behind the cluster so as to save a few bucks .You have to replace the sensors every time you change pads .

No knowledge of the SRS light .That sony is a good head unit , do the lights change colors to match ?
good luck

jpod999 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 10, 2007, 09:43:44 AM »

Quote from: RED IS 91;17298

That sony is a good head unit , do the lights change colors to match ?
good luck

On mine they do. They have red and green backlights, I am on red as to match the rest of the car.

Alpine003 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 10, 2007, 11:01:54 AM »

You don't need to rewire the entire car to run aftermarket radio.

If all your sensors and airbag is working right, you might just have to clear the SRS code from the ABS computer.

You can reuse brake sensors if they are not broken or you can just short out the two wires and not have any brake sensor light issues. Just check your brake pads periodically, which I'm sure most of us enthusiasts do anyways.

kowalski · « **Reply #8 on:** January 10, 2007, 11:57:50 AM »

Quote from: Alpine003;17312

You don't need to rewire the entire car to run aftermarket radio.

If all your sensors and airbag is working right, you might just have to clear the SRS code from the ABS computer.

You can reuse brake sensors if they are not broken or you can just short out the two wires and not have any brake sensor light issues. Just check your brake pads periodically, which I'm sure most of us enthusiasts do anyways.

you do if it has the factor amp like someone previously said. if it doesn't then your ok.

D. Clay · « **Reply #9 on:** January 10, 2007, 01:16:33 PM »

I went to Circuit City and the guy there was familiar with the E30 premium type sound system. He cut the wires in the trunk and soldered them together bypassing the amp. No need to run new wires all over the place.

DZick · « **Reply #10 on:** January 10, 2007, 05:58:21 PM »

I had a problem with my constant 12 volt they had to install one in my car when i got the new headunit(s) other wise id lose all the presets and the memory.

Not sure if that is wout your talking about but that is what happened to me.

kowalski · « **Reply #11 on:** January 11, 2007, 01:15:18 AM »

Quote from: D. Clay;17336

I went to Circuit City and the guy there was familiar with the E30 premium type sound system. He cut the wires in the trunk and soldered them together bypassing the amp. No need to run new wires all over the place.

if you want decent sound quality you would run new wires, unless the only advantage you bought a deck for was a cd player...

magnum2066 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 11, 2007, 08:08:32 AM »

Wow I missed a ton of replies...

When the guys at Best Buy did a "speaker pop" test, the speakers didn't make the popping sound it was supposed to... Which tells me the one I have has a premium sound system. Since I'm quite unfamiliar with BMWs in general I'm assuming the amp is just forward of the battery in the trunk? As far as I know the red light around the knob matches the red backlight (duh) of my gauges.

I suppose I will replace the sensors when I get out of my financial hurtbag I am in this month, I was just curious if I was able to just reset the sensor instead of a replacement.

As for the SRS light it started blinking again so I'll pass it off as a stupid issue. (The airbag better not blow up in my face like that damn Cadillac, its a world of pain in a bag.)

Thanks for the replies so far! It has been a ton of help to me!

FL318is · « **Reply #13 on:** January 11, 2007, 09:06:24 AM »

Glad to see this thread.
1) Is there an existing OEM later model headunit w/ CD player that is a direct fit into the E30? My current headunit is a cassette player with the "touch" slider. I would rather have an OEM headunit.

2) Additionally, I installed the door frame tweeters and connected the wires that were already there but no sound. Any thoughts?

I also installed the premium rear (single tweeter type) in the rear parcel shelf. Those work. I will post some pics of the rear parcel install.

Alpine003 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 11, 2007, 09:40:07 AM »

Quote from: kowalski;17396

if you want decent sound quality you would run new wires, unless the only advantage you bought a deck for was a cd player...

I disagree with this as new wires are only really needed if the current one's are corroded or if you'll be running a high powered system. That is my $.02. I don't want to open a can of worms as discussed many times on the debate in the past on whether one can notice a sound difference from $5 rca cables vs. $200 rca cables.

As for FL318is,
1. You can use the later E36 decks with a little bit of modding. If you want an OEM look, a good alternative is the older Clarion decks. If you're a hardcore audiophile then I recommend the older Nakamichi decks as the newer one's have had some issues so far.

2. The door frame tweeter wires exists but might not be connected in the door itself. Take off the door panel to check. You can also check the kickpanel behind the speaker as well. Some po's tend to hack up the whole harness so you might have a broken connection in either places.