Running remote turn-on from HU to trunk

[m3f_98///M3]

Hey guys, forgive my ignorance, i just bought my 1998 ///M3/4 a few days ago and am currently in the process of installing some audio upgrades.



I have already installed the HU, Alpine CDE-102. It actually looks pretty OEMish.



At any rate, i have a sub box and an amp for the subs in the trunk, and just the remote turn-on and the RCAs to be run from the HU to the amp.



My question is to anyone that has done this-- How did you run these wires, and was it easy, or difficult? Also, did you break any of the trim while doing so? any tips or pointers would be much appreciated.



-Jeff

[m3f_Richardsperry]

I ran the RCA's and remote wire down behind the dash, under the carpet at the front of the tunnel, back and under the rear seat, and into the trunk. I used an old metal coat hanger as a fishing tape.



I removed both front seats, and it was pretty easy. If you remove the seats, cover the front mounting studs with an old mat or some carpet. Your knees with thank you.

[m3f_Dmharvey]

I think I ran mine under the dash, under the passenger side door molding (tucked it under, didn't have to remove it), under the rear side panel (didn't have to remove this either), tucked it along the seat and into the trunk. From start to finish I think it took 3.5 minutes and there's no sign of wires whatsoever. (-:

[m3f_98///M3]

Okay, I see what you mean. I'm having trouble getting the wires down around the glovebox. I guess I'll try using a coathanger, but I can't seem to find a way that isn't blocked by this dang foam!

[m3f_jeffm5150]

Okay, I see what you mean. I'm having trouble getting the wires down around the glovebox. I guess I'll try using a coathanger, but I can't seem to find a way that isn't blocked by this dang foam!

You might want to try some good old fashioned fish tape - used by electricians for pulling wires in walls for home electrical work. Fish tapes are nice and flat to slide between under the carpet and typically have a bent-hook head on the end for connecting wire or string.



Good luck,

Jeff

[m3f_omr4lae0op0ax]

Hi everybody,

Exceptionally good to meet u in this theme

My legitimate mention is Truong ^^



Sharing is appealing, right?

[m3f_hencini]

Hi everybody,

Exceptionally good to meet u in this theme

My legitimate mention is Truong ^^



Sharing is appealing, right?

[m3f_98///M3]

Hi everybody,

Exceptionally good to meet u in this theme

My legitimate mention is Truong ^^



Sharing is appealing, right?

LOLWUT?

[m3f_SlickmisterN]

Because I didn't change the head unit on my audio project I had to use what is known as "Line Out Converter" or LOC instead of running RCA's from a pre-amp to hook up my subwoofer amp. This device pulls signal from the rear Right and Left speakers and converts it to RCA style signal plugs, they are very easy to install but there is a bit of a tradeoff in sound quality... The remote turn on wire can be tapped at the factory amp loom to turn on with it. That is if you have a wiring diagram... I believe its the blue wire with a white stripe. 10 seconds McGruber!

[m3f_98///M3]

Because I didn't change the head unit on my audio project I had to use what is known as "Line Out Converter" or LOC instead of running RCA's from a pre-amp to hook up my subwoofer amp. This device pulls signal from the rear Right and Left speakers and converts it to RCA style signal plugs, they are very easy to install but there is a bit of a tradeoff in sound quality... The remote turn on wire can be tapped at the factory amp loom to turn on with it. That is if you have a wiring diagram... I believe its the blue wire with a white stripe. 10 seconds McGruber!

Yeah, my buddy has those line out converters in his e46 330Ci and theyre.. meh.

I'm a moderate audiophile so the RCAs are a must. i make my own w/ 10g speaker wire and they're incredible. Granted all types of things affect SQ more than the type of RCAs you run.



And as far as the ''Power Antenna'' wire goes, it's the blueish purple one [i'm blue-green colorblind, don't hold me to that]. The reason i say power antenna is because that's how it was labeled in my stock HU owners manual, but it's actually the remote turn on wire for the factory amp. Figured that out when i wired up my power antenna wire on the new HU to it, and i only got music in the radio setting. So, FYI, the 'power antenna' is mislabled. My 1998 M3 Sedan does not have power antenna, and i was confused by the fact that there was a wire for one.