E90 Head Unit Problens

gerbil_b · 05-13-2009, 04:59 AM

I have been looking for this problem on the forum but cant find it anywhere, i have bought an aftermarket headunit to start upgrading the sound system in my E90 318i. I have got the iso adaptor but for the life cant get either of my 2 pioneer headunits to work. My mates blaupunkt will work but does anyone no if there is a way to get my headunit to work or do only certain makes work for some reason?

Pioneer · 05-13-2009, 12:45 PM

You will need a permanent live to feed the head unit or it won't work.

Also you need a live that does not cut off after the car has been switched off, this is some sort of sleep mode that bmw's do to save battery life and other things.

Would advise you to take it to a professional, unless you are handy with the fancy electrics in your car. I have a fair idea about them but didn't take any chances.

gerbil_b · 05-13-2009, 01:08 PM

Is this simple as finding a permenent live somewhere on the car and take a feed from it to the live cable on the ISO connector? Can you give me an idea where i can get this live?

Pioneer · 05-13-2009, 01:36 PM

You will get a live from behind the glovebox. Not sure exactly where to tap in but can easily be found if you have a digital voltmeter. I think this was the only problem that occured when i fitted my pioneer head unit.

I take it the cable you have takes you from the can bus to iso. Only other things you will need is an adapter to give you use of the parking sensors if they are fitted to your car.

You will also lose steering wheel controls without another adapter. BMW and their complicated ways.

gerbil_b · 05-13-2009, 04:06 PM

Oh right, not worth it then, so is there any aftermarket head unit makes that will work without all these probelms like my mates blaupunkt?

Pioneer · 05-14-2009, 12:27 PM

I'm not sure, i wasn't even aware that blaupunkt head units worked without these problems.

Only reason i done the upgrade was that i had the head unit so didn't want it going to waste, was also a cheap way for me to connect up my ipod.

If i was doing it again i would find a car with the hardwired ipod adapter from factory then do the alpine upgrade to speakers.

But my head unit has been in the car 10 months now without any problem at all.

05-13-2009, 04:59 AM	#1
gerbil_b First Lieutenant 8 Rep 307 Posts Drives: Skoda Octavia DSG TDi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Tong, Isle Of Lewis iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 318i [0.00] 2006 Hyundai Coupe [0.00]	E90 Head Unit Problens I have been looking for this problem on the forum but cant find it anywhere, i have bought an aftermarket headunit to start upgrading the sound system in my E90 318i. I have got the iso adaptor but for the life cant get either of my 2 pioneer headunits to work. My mates blaupunkt will work but does anyone no if there is a way to get my headunit to work or do only certain makes work for some reason?
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05-13-2009, 12:45 PM	#2
Pioneer Private First Class 5 Rep 142 Posts Drives: e92 320d M sport Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (1)	You will need a permanent live to feed the head unit or it won't work. Also you need a live that does not cut off after the car has been switched off, this is some sort of sleep mode that bmw's do to save battery life and other things. Would advise you to take it to a professional, unless you are handy with the fancy electrics in your car. I have a fair idea about them but didn't take any chances.
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05-13-2009, 01:08 PM	#3
gerbil_b First Lieutenant 8 Rep 307 Posts Drives: Skoda Octavia DSG TDi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Tong, Isle Of Lewis iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 318i [0.00] 2006 Hyundai Coupe [0.00]	Is this simple as finding a permenent live somewhere on the car and take a feed from it to the live cable on the ISO connector? Can you give me an idea where i can get this live?
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05-13-2009, 01:36 PM	#4
Pioneer Private First Class 5 Rep 142 Posts Drives: e92 320d M sport Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (1)	You will get a live from behind the glovebox. Not sure exactly where to tap in but can easily be found if you have a digital voltmeter. I think this was the only problem that occured when i fitted my pioneer head unit. I take it the cable you have takes you from the can bus to iso. Only other things you will need is an adapter to give you use of the parking sensors if they are fitted to your car. You will also lose steering wheel controls without another adapter. BMW and their complicated ways.
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05-13-2009, 04:06 PM	#5
gerbil_b First Lieutenant 8 Rep 307 Posts Drives: Skoda Octavia DSG TDi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Tong, Isle Of Lewis iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 318i [0.00] 2006 Hyundai Coupe [0.00]	Oh right, not worth it then, so is there any aftermarket head unit makes that will work without all these probelms like my mates blaupunkt?
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05-14-2009, 12:27 PM	#6
Pioneer Private First Class 5 Rep 142 Posts Drives: e92 320d M sport Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (1)	I'm not sure, i wasn't even aware that blaupunkt head units worked without these problems. Only reason i done the upgrade was that i had the head unit so didn't want it going to waste, was also a cheap way for me to connect up my ipod. If i was doing it again i would find a car with the hardwired ipod adapter from factory then do the alpine upgrade to speakers. But my head unit has been in the car 10 months now without any problem at all.
	Appreciate 0 Quote