Connecting an amplifier to the speaker wires

[mas123]

I have a X5 2003 and it doesn't have an amplifier. I have connected a amplifier to the speaker wires and the amplifier works fine, but when I switch off the car and leave it for about 20 mins and switch the car on there is no sound from the radio until I unplug the speaker wires from the amplifier. Does anyone know what the problem might be?

[X5Sport]

Give us a clue.....

What version of the X5, when was it built (there's a month/ year plate at the back of the engine bay), what part of the world, what options are fitted - stick it all in the Newbies section so that those with some knowledge here stand a better chance of being able to answer your questions. There are so many possibilities that any info to help narrow things down will help.

Oh and let's see some piccies too.....

[Sanj]

This is a good place to start:

http://www.xoutpost.com/file-x5tips.htm

Take your pick...

[mas123]

Hi,

I will look up the details and put them on. The issue is that most of posts about connecting an amplifier assume the car already has an amplifier, but my car dosen't.

I am based in UK.

The guidance I used :

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/ ... all-2.html

[Turks]

[quote=""mas123""]I am based in UK.[/quote]

Well that narrows it down... I am also North of the Equator if that helps?

Where have you taken the electrical feed to the amp from? Please be more specific than "took it from my X5"


Turks.

[mas123]

Hi,

I have followed the instructions below which is from another post:


I have Fitted my Sub to a NON amp/DSP X5

To get a high level input you need to remove your B-Pillar
behind there at the bottem you will see all the wiring, you will see seperate wires wrapped in the black material.
remove a section of the black material from the smaller of the two bunches of wires and you should find 2 wires (in my case blue with violet strip and blue with grey strip, becasue i used the rear right speaker)

now you have you high level input for your amp, you need a remote on wire

Look in your boot/trunk and on the left where the amp is supposed to be you will see 3 connectors 1 will have a plug in in and the other 2 are left empty ( you may have more kit installed as factory option than me, but mine were empty)
the middle plug has a wire VIOLET with WHITE stripe -this is your remote on

the remote on wire only works on the ignition wire, and not when you just turn on the stereo when the igniton is off

[mas123]

I found out what the issue was. I have to connect a line output module to the speaker wires and the use RCAs to connect to the amp otherwise there radio sounds cuts out when I switch off the car.

[jaynana]

can you explain what you did - i have a rather strange problem that i'm trying to diagnose.

i have a 2004 x5 (i have nav+cd changer, no dsp), and i'm trying to install an amp (jbl). i have connected power and signal all ok. issue is when connecting the sound cable or RCAs.

the moment i connect the first RCA outer wire itself the radio knocks itself out. and i have to restart the radio to get any sound from it. amp works if i connect only the inner cable of the RCA but that's no good because then it gives out ambient noise i believe because then its not properly grounded?

[jaynana]

I just learnt how to do photos in this forum (thx Sanj ), so here's what i did:

my overall requirement:
1. I already had a JBL Sub+Amp, so i wasn't going to buy a new one, was gonna get this fixed into the X5.
2. Fixing my massive box consumed space, so I wanted it to be easily removable so that i could just pull it out when boot capacity was needed.

So i searched around and found a 60amp Vibe connector that allowed push in/pull out connect/disconnect of ground/+12v/signal; made 2 RCA connections for the sound. all this was fitted on the left hand panel, above the nav cd unit.

here are some photos for anybody interested:
1. connection port when the amp+sub are disconnected:


2. amp cables connected to the port:

(Vibe fuse unit is on velcro so easily removable. ground and +12v are 4mm cables, non-standard colours as i already had these from a cousin, they're used for communications eqpt racks and rated upto 90c temperature - much better than amp cables so i just used them although colours aren't right)

3. my x5 boot, when the side panel is closed :



if i need boot space, the whole unit comes off in a minute and goes into my house!

along the way i had major trouble getting noise cancelled, i've learnt a great deal about this subject, so any questions pls ask. happy to help.