My wife's 1994 325I has a dead CD changer - shows Disc Error message, won't eject magazine, no response at all. I've dismounted it, checked the purple fuse (good), tried connecting and disconnecting - no joy. she would just as soon have the CD unit in the dash anyway so she can reach it more easily. I'm thinking I'll remove head unit (the cassette door is missing anyway) and CD changer and just replace the head unit with one having CD capability.

I have a nice Alpine CDA-9807 head unit with CD sitting around looking for a home, and it looks like a reasonable fit. However, I've read in this forum that the factory setup has an outboard amp. Is there any problem with replacing the factory head unit with the Alpine and using the Alpine's front & rear line outputs to feed the factory amp?

And what else do I need to know about this project? I've done multiple searches and haven't found anything that addresses this.:confused

Thanks!

Bump

As long as the factory amp is functioning, it shouldn't be a problem to run the signal from the new HU. You could run the wiring to the speakers straight from the HU since it has a built in amp (I'm assuming), but you might as well just keep the wiring the way it is. Good luck.

Alpine HU's does have a internal amp.

Right, the replacement unit does have in internal amp. However, it also has line outs for all front and rear speakers. IF the BMW amp can use a line level signal, then I can connect the line outputs to the BMW factory amp and it should work.

I see that Crutchfield has an adaptor that seems designed for this purpose.

Anyone else familiar with the BMW amp setup and know whether a line level signal will feed it OK?

Had exactly the same problem with the cd changer on my e36.
Completely dead, magazine stuck inside etc etc.

Removed it, opened it, somehow managed to eject the magazine when I pressed a small leaver.

After that, the cd changer come back to life.

So, before you decide to change it with another one, open it and try to eject the magazine. It's not motor driven so its easier to release.

To the OP. I would recommend using the head unit that you currently have. As long as it is a single din unit you will be all set for fitment.

To correctly get it playing all you need is the proper wire harness adapter and antenna adapter. Then it is a 30 minute install :) This will keep everything functioning correctly. The amplifier takes signal straight from head unit. No need to use the Alpine's Pre-Outs.

The early e36 CD Changers are a known weakness. As soon as it is "fixed" it will jam/break again ;)

Let me know if you need ANY other help!

Wire Harness Adapter:
http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/product.php/II=350/_cid=302

Antenna Adapter:
http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/product.php/II=352/_cid=302

To the OP. I would recommend using the head unit that you currently have. As long as it is a single din unit you will be all set for fitment.

To correctly get it playing all you need is the proper wire harness adapter and antenna adapter. Then it is a 30 minute install :) This will keep everything functioning correctly. The amplifier takes signal straight from head unit. No need to use the Alpine's Pre-Outs.

The early e36 CD Changers are a known weakness. As soon as it is "fixed" it will jam/break again ;)

Let me know if you need ANY other help!

Wire Harness Adapter:
http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/product.php/II=350/_cid=302

Antenna Adapter:
http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/product.php/II=352/_cid=302



This might not fall under the right thread, but I hope you can help.

My Alpine CD changer stopped working suddently. It ejects the mag just fine, goes through all the motions of checking each disc (6 disc capacity). You can see it attempt to load. However, it's just not reading.

Could it be a bad laser? Needs cleaning? Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

It's installed in the 190E.

.

Could it be a bad laser? Needs cleaning? Any ideas?


Bad laser, laser is not infocus, has a build up of residue on the lens which the broom style sweepers can NOT clean, etc.

I'd start by cleaning the lense with a drop of alcohol, then with very soft tissue and then remove any residue with a wet piece of tissue.

It got my 6 year old PS2 working again. Anything else, take it to be serviced by a pro.

Thanks for the advice. The changer is old, so maybe a little cleaning will take care of the problem (hopefully)

Is there a special type of "laser cleaning alcohol?? :dunno

or do I just use regular rubbing alcohol?

I always just used rubbing alcohol, thus the need to clean the alcohol residue with water.