Running p38 sub and amp on aftermarket head unit

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P38 guy

Member
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59
Location
Amman, Jordan
Hi I got a high line hk system with door amps on my p38 and I installed an aftermarket headunit this weekend and I’m trying to figure out how to run the original sub and amp on the new headunit and looking for what are these orange/white, black/white and red/white wires. Does anyone knows how to get the original sub working ? I got the exact same sub as this same code same everything.
99 p38 autobiography
 

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Assuming you have factory wiring, it's not so straight forward. Most aftermarket head units will not just plug in to the car and work. It's mostly down to the original system using balanced audio outputs from the head unit to send signal to the door amps, where it is unbalanced, amplified, and then sent to the speakers.

@Clarky130 did it with some simple (attenuator) electronics. I'm doing it with some different but still simple (balancing transformers) electronics.

If its just the sub you're worried about then I assume you've got the rest working. You can read Clarky130's write up of how he did it here...


Hopefully that'll help you. The wiring colours are also in RAVE.
 
I also used balancing transformers. IMHO this is the best method, because you avoid any hum & buzz issues. There's a thread on here somewhere about it !! . . . . . .search box is above.
 
I went through this and bought the balance unit to go with a Kenwood head unit... Then after fitting a jvc unit it worked without the balance unit anyway🤷
My son fitted a fancy Bluetooth head unit once again without the balance unit....
The subwoofer plug had the yellow?? Plug removed and the two orange wires connected to the new head units. Sorted👍
 
Assuming you have factory wiring, it's not so straight forward. Most aftermarket head units will not just plug in to the car and work. It's mostly down to the original system using balanced audio outputs from the head unit to send signal to the door amps, where it is unbalanced, amplified, and then sent to the speakers.

@Clarky130 did it with some simple (attenuator) electronics. I'm doing it with some different but still simple (balancing transformers) electronics.

If its just the sub you're worried about then I assume you've got the rest working. You can read Clarky130's write up of how he did it here...


Hopefully that'll help you. The wiring colours are also in RAVE.
I know all that, deleted door amps and in the near future I’m putting an amp for the speakers and a vibe sub in the Back.
 
Just wire the speakers direct to the after market head unit so much simpler
I wired mine myself no help, easy and no buzzing now. But it had an aftermarket one before and when i hit bumps the buzzing starts but after I rewired the same head unit the buzzing is gone then I deleted the door amps later cause why not
 
Assuming you have factory wiring, it's not so straight forward. Most aftermarket head units will not just plug in to the car and work. It's mostly down to the original system using balanced audio outputs from the head unit to send signal to the door amps, where it is unbalanced, amplified, and then sent to the speakers.

@Clarky130 did it with some simple (attenuator) electronics. I'm doing it with some different but still simple (balancing transformers) electronics.

If its just the sub you're worried about then I assume you've got the rest working. You can read Clarky130's write up of how he did it here...


Hopefully that'll help you. The wiring colours are also in RAVE.
Does the p38 original amp have bass ? Bass I can feel ? If not could I fit another 16 cm subs and connect them to the original amp ?
 
Assuming you have factory wiring, it's not so straight forward. Most aftermarket head units will not just plug in to the car and work. It's mostly down to the original system using balanced audio outputs from the head unit to send signal to the door amps, where it is unbalanced, amplified, and then sent to the speakers.

@Clarky130 did it with some simple (attenuator) electronics. I'm doing it with some different but still simple (balancing transformers) electronics.

If its just the sub you're worried about then I assume you've got the rest working. You can read Clarky130's write up of how he did it here...


Hopefully that'll help you. The wiring colours are also in RAVE.
You still got the file ?
 
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