Modifications to car wiring if I install Android head unit?

JingChai · 05-04-2019, 08:44 PM

I'm thinking of getting an Android head unit for a non-iDrive 2011 E90. I wanted to know if there's anything that needs to be done to the wiring of the car before I install the aftermarket unit? Since the new part isn't an OEM, I want to make sure that I don't end up frying a wire or having any issues with the electronics after I install it.

ctuna · 05-04-2019, 10:22 PM

JingChai · 05-04-2019, 11:13 PM

Thanks, I don't have parking distance control or Logic 7. What is this harness that you suggest?

ctuna · 05-05-2019, 12:21 AM

I haven't done this myself so try reading some of the Links.
Connects 2 comes to mind.
There is some Metra stuff in there some people have gotten
mixed results on the steering wheel controls.

Stubbie Blue · 05-05-2019, 07:08 AM

If you're getting a universal single or double DIN Android headunit, you'll probably need a smart harness like the the PAC RadioPro RP4.2-BM21 for chimes, steering wheel controls, PDC, no SOS error:
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-qDNASx...Interface.html

Video of a professional shop:

I used the PAC RadioPro to put an 8" single DIN Android headunit into my 2012 135i no iDrive:
https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1510420

But if you're getting a headunit that is specific for BMWs and has a CAN bus interface, then it should be plug and play with no harness required. Look for the large square 'quadlock Fakra' connector on the back of the unit.

JingChai · 05-05-2019, 12:25 PM

This is the unit that I'm looking at:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-BMW-3-S...F/283227080559

From the looks of it, I don't need the PAC smart harness correct?

Stubbie Blue · 05-05-2019, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JingChai

This is the unit that I'm looking at:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-BMW-3-S...F/283227080559

From the looks of it, I don't need the PAC smart harness correct?

Correct. That unit connects directly to the BMW wiring so you don't need a PAC RadioPro harness.

JingChai · 05-05-2019, 04:09 PM

Great, thanks for clarifying!

Rube · 05-05-2019, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JingChai

Great, thanks for clarifying!

Can you post your install and impressions ?
Thanks!

JingChai · 05-21-2019, 06:18 PM

So I tried to install the new unit yesterday and it won't turn on. I thought maybe something was wrong with the unit so I plugged my old radio back into the radio harness and now my old radio doesn't work either....

Can the radio harness get damaged by pulling on it real hard? The adapter that came with the new unit was very difficult to pull out of the radio harness.

05-04-2019, 08:44 PM	#1
JingChai Lieutenant 153 Rep 424 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Modifications to car wiring if I install Android head unit? I'm thinking of getting an Android head unit for a non-iDrive 2011 E90. I wanted to know if there's anything that needs to be done to the wiring of the car before I install the aftermarket unit? Since the new part isn't an OEM, I want to make sure that I don't end up frying a wire or having any issues with the electronics after I install it.
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05-04-2019, 10:22 PM	#2
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,100 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	Buy a harness . If you have PDC it will cease to work with most head units. You may get SOS errors if you have that feature they can be programmed out. BMW may refuse to repair or update the software with aftermarket stuff . There diagnostic and programming software won't work unless it see's the original configuration. If you have Logic 7 you will need and fiberoptic translation adapter to still be able to run the Logic 7 amp. head unit http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=head+unit http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1457320 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1036190 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=dynavin http://www.janus-design.net/english/ http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355089 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=head+unit http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=dynavin http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=dynavin http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...light=retrofit http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=993447 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1016187 https://www.bmwgm5.com/Logic7_E90_91_92_93.htm http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=dynavin
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05-04-2019, 11:13 PM	#3
JingChai Lieutenant 153 Rep 424 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Thanks, I don't have parking distance control or Logic 7. What is this harness that you suggest?
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05-05-2019, 12:21 AM	#4
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,100 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	I haven't done this myself so try reading some of the Links. Connects 2 comes to mind. There is some Metra stuff in there some people have gotten mixed results on the steering wheel controls.
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05-05-2019, 07:08 AM	#5
Stubbie Blue Private First Class 145 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 2012 135i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	If you're getting a universal single or double DIN Android headunit, you'll probably need a smart harness like the the PAC RadioPro RP4.2-BM21 for chimes, steering wheel controls, PDC, no SOS error: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-qDNASx...Interface.html Video of a professional shop: I used the PAC RadioPro to put an 8" single DIN Android headunit into my 2012 135i no iDrive: https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1510420 But if you're getting a headunit that is specific for BMWs and has a CAN bus interface, then it should be plug and play with no harness required. Look for the large square 'quadlock Fakra' connector on the back of the unit.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-05-2019, 12:25 PM	#6
JingChai Lieutenant 153 Rep 424 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	This is the unit that I'm looking at: https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-BMW-3-S...F/283227080559 From the looks of it, I don't need the PAC smart harness correct?
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05-05-2019, 04:09 PM	#8
JingChai Lieutenant 153 Rep 424 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Great, thanks for clarifying!
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05-21-2019, 06:18 PM	#10
JingChai Lieutenant 153 Rep 424 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	So I tried to install the new unit yesterday and it won't turn on. I thought maybe something was wrong with the unit so I plugged my old radio back into the radio harness and now my old radio doesn't work either.... Can the radio harness get damaged by pulling on it real hard? The adapter that came with the new unit was very difficult to pull out of the radio harness.
	Appreciate 0 Quote