I am about the install an Alpine 9835 headunit purchased from Cruthfield. I replaced the original BMW headunit back in '96 when I bought the car ('95 E36 M3 has the non-Harmon Kardon system). At the time, I cut the factory harness and spliced to make the connections. I will be doing the install again the same way. However, when purchasing from Crutchfield they suggested the purchase and install of a couple of things I am not sure are necessary.

1. An amplifier wiring kit that directly connects the head unit constant power to the battery. I'm not sure if this is necessary because I haven't had any problems in the past with making this connection with the factory wiring in the dash. Cost only $20 but I don't really want to run the wiring if it's not necessary. I noticed that others that have installed Alpine headunits have connected to the dash wiring without problems but the tech at Crutchfield highly suggested bringing it all the way back to the battery. From what I see, there's at least 2 fuses to protect the wiring if I connect to the dash. One is in the little gray box that Alpine provides with their wiring harness, the other is in the BMW fuse box. The Crutchfield tech makes it sound like the wire will burn up if I don't use the wiring they had me purchase from them.

2. Something called a PAC OEM-2 Universal Interface. This installs between the factory wiring and the Alpine headunit. Supposedly this delays the signal to the speakers when you turn the unit on so you don't get a spike and the resultant popping noise when you turn the unit on/off. I am currently getting that noise now. I was wondering if anyone else is getting it too. I guess I can try it both ways to see if it makes a difference. This device is also supposed to protect the factory amp by reducing the "strength" of the signal from the headunit to the amp. But, I currently have no problems with my system. In fact, I kind of like the little boost that I must be getting from the head unit. There looks to be an adjustable gain to control how much power goes from the headunit amp to the factory amp.

I have an older Alpine CD changer also that I am not sure how to connect. Do you have to order an adapter or something from Alpine?

Just go to Circuit City and get a harness for the alpine. I have zero problems with mine.

Unfortunately, the factory harness has already been cut off. Sirius, I'm taking it that you are not getting any popping noises and it wasn't necessary to directly connect the constant power to the battery. I'm 90% sure that I will be fine just connecting it like I have in the past but wanted to hear input from others.

You can wire the power to the HU from the factory harness.

I get zero poping noises.

Every once in awhile, the HU won't turn off if I am listening to the raido and I turn the car off, I blame feedback or something similar, and I havent' had time to debug that.

Thats the only problem I have.

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

this is the pin out guide, just match it up from what your alpine unit tells you, and it you can just directly hardwire it to you OBDII thing then to the alpine

hope this helps

Wow. Nice page. :thumbsup:

:takesbow: .....so hows it going me+mym3?>

:takesbow: .....so hows it going me+mym3?>

I will let you guys know... I won't be able to start this project until after this weekend. I plan on doing a few other things such as fix the gap near the dash vent and replace a possible bad bulb behind the odometer. I found out that my CD changer won't be compatible with my new head unit. Bummer, they don't have an adapter. Thanks 95blkbimm3r for the wiring diagram. I think it's the same one I have in my Bentley manual.

hello all,

tomorrow i want 2 actually install a amp and 10 inch sub on my 97 M3. if any of you have some tips, PLEASE help me out. lol. this is the first time i have worked on my M3. i hnoestly dont even kno how 2 take out the radio to install the remote amp on/off power cable or do i even have to do that. other than that. i think i can do the install. but please help and give as many tips as possible. thankx all

always remember to search past threads, there is lots of FAQ's you could probably find

Msj, if you need a pic of the wires.. let me know.. Ill get one tonight.

i IM'ed u on aim. my name on there is msj484. Please if we can talk there, that is fine. thankx.

Thats fine. I won't be home until around 7 my time though. So expect about a 6 hour delay :P

ok thankx. my only prob is that i need 2 kno how to hook up the rca inputs for the aftermarket amp. and i need to kno where the remote amp on/off cable goes. once again this is gettin hooked up to my oem radio. thankx all

make sure once you get all your wires hooked up that if you have an amp with adjustable settings, that you turn them all down low before you turn it on, or before you get too excited to hear it.... i wouldnt know or anything... but if you need advise on how to tune it, drop another message and i'll inform u on how i do it