quick radio installation question....

Sep 5, 2005 | 08:34 PM

d2Benz

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From: Bowie MD

2017 GLE350 4MATIC, 2009 ML350 4matic, 2005 4maticWAGON (sold), A Pre-facelift W210(sold)

quick radio installation question....

I'm replacing the becker radio with an aftermarket unit...
I have the "vw wiring harness" but there is another plug that came out of the factory radio with "amp" written on it...installed above the other harness.

Question: what do I do with with this plug??? Is that for the factory amp...

Mine is a '96 model...FYI

cheers!

Sep 6, 2005 | 10:50 AM

d2Benz

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Joined: Nov 2004

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From: Bowie MD

2017 GLE350 4MATIC, 2009 ML350 4matic, 2005 4maticWAGON (sold), A Pre-facelift W210(sold)

OR did I purchased the wrong wiring harness???

Please, someone respond, I've spent time searching the threads, and everybody pointed to "VW wiring harness".
Did I purchase the wrong harness?
all I want to know is what to do with the extra plug.

thanks!!!

Sep 6, 2005 | 11:18 AM

E-Klasse

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Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 1,537

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From: Arizona, USA

W205 C300

There is an AMP in the trunk on the drivers side. You may have to remove it to get an aftermarket system to work properly.

Go here for connector pin outs.

Pins 'A'
1 Speed dependent volume control
2 Not used
3 Phone mute (ground to activate)
4 Constant 12V
5 Ant trig (12V when radio on)
6 Illumination
7 Ignition
8 Ground

Pins 'B'
1 Right rear +
2 Right rear -
3 Right front +
4 Right front -
5 Left front +
6 Left front -
7 Left rear +
8 Left rear -

Pins 'C'
Connection for Becker CD changer

Sep 6, 2005 | 12:24 PM

45acp

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From: NY

BMW

what kind of HU are you installing? I just did an Alpine 9855 in my W210. I had used the VW harness, but the constant12v+, ground, and remote turn-on were all different than the harness as well as the ignition hot 12v+. all the speaker wires are correct tho.

Sep 6, 2005 | 01:32 PM

d2Benz

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Posts: 409

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From: Bowie MD

2017 GLE350 4MATIC, 2009 ML350 4matic, 2005 4maticWAGON (sold), A Pre-facelift W210(sold)

EKlass, thanks for the response and the diagram, that was very helpful.
I'll see what happen with direct install be4 bypassing the amp in the trunk.

45acp, I'm installing a Kenwood HU.
From reading thru the threads, I've discovered that WE have to switch the yellow and the red cables, which are memory and 12V power. So, you connect the yellow on the VW harness to the red on the HU, and the other yellow and red switch.

Sep 6, 2005 | 02:58 PM

45acp

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From: NY

BMW

yeah, i just did it the old fashioned way with a voltmeter. the remote wire for the oem amp (solid blue wire) i connected to the remote lead coming from the back of the 9855. then it was just too easy to throw in the two 12's and the amp i had lying around

Sep 7, 2005 | 05:23 PM

d2Benz

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From: Bowie MD

2017 GLE350 4MATIC, 2009 ML350 4matic, 2005 4maticWAGON (sold), A Pre-facelift W210(sold)

45,
After reading your post, I decided to spend more $ and picked up the CDA-9851.
Loving it, installation went fine...less than an hour.
But, my "AM" radio is very weak.....I'm a news addict....need my WTOP outta Wash DC.

I will be adding the IPod interface soon.

cheers,