Do I need to Modify Wires to Install Aftermarket BMW DVD Navigation?

Nov. 7, 2012 - PRLog -- If you are going to install a aftermarket bmw dvd navigation system, and don't know if you need to cut wires for installation, here is some advices. You can check your car information as following.

For BMW 3 series, BMW 5 series, they are either installed with factory DVD navigation system or with only CD player/Radio. If you purchase a after market DVD nav unit (cars-electronics.com/Cheap-bmw-dvd-navigation_c913)to replace the factory headunit, they are different, here are some things you should know about installation.

1. BMW 3 series/BMW 5 series without factory nav system, just the CD player(or tape) and radio, installation for a bmw e46 dvd navigation is very easy, just plug and play, don't need to modify any wires, you just need to pull the original headunit out and then connect the new DVD nav unit with power cables in the dash, then push it in, that's all. There are both 17pins and 40pins power cables included.

2. BMW 5 series/BMW 3 series with factory navi system, usually there's a large screen in the dashboard, the installation is a little complicated, you need to find out the speaker connectors under the trunk, because the plug in the dash which is connected with the original nav system is no longer to use, see picture as below, if your power connectors are like this, you should find a plug which is connected to your amplifier in the trunk, and then  runs a 6m long power cable from the rear of the new DVD nav unit to this plug under the trunk. The amplifier is under the spare tyre for BMW E53 X5, for the other models bmw x5 navigation it's near the rear left tyre where the radio tuner is.

If your x5 has factory nav, you need to run the 6m long harness to the back, then you can connect directly to existing speakers and by-pass the existing amplifier. In order to find the power connectors to see if it's 17pins or 40pins, you just need to find the radio tuner in the trunk, and the Radio tuner is located under the left tire next to the battery. Enclosed with some pictures for your reference to find it out.

While if your BMW E39 or X5 E53 has DSP, things are more complicated, for 5 Series, X5, 7 Series - Vehicles without navigation will have a button clearly marked "DSP". If your car has navigation, there will be a "DSP" function in the main menu settings. cars-electronics can provide DSP cable included in the power cable for BMW E39, BMW X5 E53 which are with a large screen in the dashboard, usually it's navigation system in the dash and with 40pins power connectors, most BMW before year after 2002(including 2002 year) are with 40pins power connectors. Currently 17pins power connectors are not with DSP cable, so you need to cut wires to install BMW DVD Navigation, just modify speaker wires and connect speaker wires directly by-passing the existing amplifier.