Bloody head unit.

[Ollie_bwoii]

Well it has its faults put it that way.

It is wired and earthed up correctly, got a good fuse etc...

However when you turn it on and the aerial goes up it makes a fusing sound (its supressed as well) then when you have a tape in (ipod tape thing) There is a fusing sound, through all the speakers, plus the display dims/brightens to the music, this doesn't happen when its on a radio station.

Is it just a knackered head unit? Any other thoughts?

TIA.

[Ollie_bwoii]

I'm thinking I may replace with something like this?

[mrLEE30]

my intial thoughts are the wiring.

if the display dims with the music whislt on tape then this makes me thing you have wired the two power leads to the same source, so when the radio is on only the internal amp is running and not drawing too much power, but with a tape in the motor must turn which draws more power and not enough to run the amp and lights, thus they dim with the music as power is required from the amp. this is why head units have two power supplies, one to the ignition which runs things like the lights and memory, and the toher connected ditrect to the battery which runs the bigger power consumers such as the tape motor.

the fusing noise (which i assume you mean hissing??) could also be related to the same issue, are you sure you have wired the electric arial feed to the correct place and it is not touching earth anywhere?

[Ace 325i]

I'm thinking I may replace with something like this?

Thats not a bad head unit, for the money.. I ran my Ipod touch off it for 6 months no problem!

Thought bout putting it in the E30 - but have my eyes set on a becker

[Ollie_bwoii]

The two power leads are wired to the same source, the positive terminal of the battery.

My car hasn't got an original stereo loom, as it never had one from new. Where would you advice to wire up the power leads?

[toby]

You could buy a E30 ISO wiring loom,
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Autoleads-ISO-Car ... 3359f3aeff

and a new stereo - it would all be relatively plug and play (and better sound from your iPod)

[Ollie_bwoii]

What does that do Toby? What does it fit too?

[toby]

One end plugs into the accessory socket behind the glovebox (like the original loom would have done - with the same style pins etc)
The other end connects to the modern ISO standardised plug on new headunits.

It should be plug and play but sometimes the odd wire needs swapping.

Your local decent stereo shop should be able to source the loom and fit for a small fee.
Pretty easy to do yourself though.