BMW 3 Series E46 Subwoofer Module Retrofit Guide

This article show a guide on how to retrofit subwoofer module for BMW 3 series E46.The installation time is approx 1,5 – 2,5 hours, but this may vary depending on the condition of the car and the equipment in it.

 

Note:Try this guide at your own risk.And more case check this tag:BMW Retrofit

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Part List E46/2/4

A Power supply cable

B Speaker cable

C Power cable with fuse and blade terminal

D Subwoofer

E Insulation-piercing connection (5x)

F Cable tie (15x)

G Nut M8 (self-locking)

H Nut M8

I Washer 8.4 mm (2x)

J Foam tube

K Customer information

 

Part list E46/3

A Power supply cable

B Speaker cable

C Power cable with fuse and blade terminal

D Subwoofer

E Insulation-piercing connection (5x)

F Cable tie (15x)

G Subwoofer holder

H Wing nut M8

I Washer 8.4 mm in diameter

J Foam tube

K Customer information

 

Preparations:

 

Connection Diagram:

 

Installation and cabling diagram for cars with a battery in the engine compartment

A Power supply cable

A1 In spare wheel trough

A2 To battery installation site

A3 To earth post X13016 in the boot on the left

A4 To audio wiring harness on the C pillar

B Speaker cable

B1 In spare wheel trough

B2 To audio wiring harness on the C pillar

B3 To audio wiring harness on the C pillar

B4 To audio wiring harness on the C pillar

B5 To audio wiring harness on the C pillar

 

Note:

Tie back any excess lengths on branch A3.

Excess lengths on branches A2, A4 and B2 – B5 must be cut at the connection site.

 

Installation and cabling diagram for cars with a battery in the boot

A Power supply cable

A1 In spare wheel trough

A2 To battery installation site

A3 To earth post X13016 in the boot on the left

A4 To audio wiring harness on the C pillar

B Speaker cable

B1 In spare wheel trough

B2 To audio wiring harness on the C pillar

B3 To audio wiring harness on the C pillar

B4 To audio wiring harness on the C pillar

B5 To audio wiring harness on the C pillar

 

Note:

Tie back any excess lengths on branch A3.

Excess lengths on branches A2, A4 and B2 – B5 must be cut at the connection site.

 

To install wiring harness in cars with a battery in the engine compartment

Install the power supply cable A and speaker cable B as follows:

– Branch A1 to the spare wheel trough

– Branch A2 to the installation site of the battery (1)

– Branch A3 to the boot on the left

– Branch A4 to the left C pillar.

– Branch B1 to the spare wheel trough

– Branches B2 – B5 to the left C pillar

 

The figure shows the footwell on the driver’s side.

Lay branch A2, RT cable, through the opening (1) into the control module box on the left of the engine compartment.

Note:Seal the rubber grommet (1) at the engine side with sealing compound.

 

Then push branch A2, RT cable, through the rubber grommet (1) and then through the rubber grommet (2).

Lay branch A2, RT cable, under the cable guide (1) and secure it with cable ties F.

Remove the protective plug (2) from the plastic expanding rivet (3) and insert branch A2, RT cable.

To install wiring harness in cars with a battery in the engine compartment

Crimp a blade terminal contact (1) on to branch A2 and connect it to fuse holder C1.

Connect branch C2 to the battery positive pole.

Secure the fuse holder C1 to the standard wiring harness with cable ties F.

E46/2/4 only

Screw branch A3, BR cable, to the earth post X13016 on the left-hand side of the boot.

Lay branch A4, WS cable, to the audio wiring harness (1) on the wheel arch at the rear left.

Connect branch A4 to the WS power supply cable (2), 0.5 mm² in diameter on the aerial splitter using an insulation-piercing connector E.

E46/3 only

Screw branch A3, BR cable, to the earth post X13016 on the left-hand side of the boot.

 

To install wiring harness in cars with a battery in the engine compartment

Lay branch A4, WS cable, to the main wiring harness (1) on the right.

Connect branch A4 to the VI/WS cable (2),0.35 mm² in diameter, using an insulationpiercing connector E.

All cars

Lay branches B2 – B5 to the audio wiring harness (1) on the C pillar and connect them as follows using two insulation-piercing connectors E:

– B2 to the BR cable (twisted with GE)

– B3 to the GE cable (twisted with BR)

– B4 to the BR cable (twisted with BL)

– B5 to the BL cable (twisted with BR)

Lay branch B1 to the spare wheel trough.

 

To install wiring harness in cars with a battery in the boot

Install the power supply cable A and speaker cable B as follows:

– Branch A1 to the spare wheel trough

– Branch A2 to the installation site of the battery (1)

– Branch A3 to the boot on the left

– Branch A4 to the left C pillar.

– Branch B1 to the spare wheel trough

– Branches B2 – B5 to the left C pillar

Crimp a blade terminal contact (1) on to branch

A2 and connect it to fuse holder C1.

Connect branch C2 to the battery positive pole.

Secure the fuse holder C1 to the positive cable (2)with cable ties F.

 

E46/2/4 only

Screw branch A3, BR cable, to the earth post X13016 on the left-hand side of the boot.

Lay branch A4, WS cable, to the audio wiring harness (1) on the wheel arch at the rear left.

Connect branch A4 to the WS power supply cable (2), 0.5 mm² in diameter on the aerial splitter using an insulation-piercing connector E.

To install wiring harness in cars with a battery in the boot

E46/3 only

Screw branch A3, BR cable, to the earth post X13016 on the left-hand side of the boot.

Lay branch A4, WS cable, to the audio wiring harness (1) on the wheel arch at the rear left.

Connect branch A4 to the WS power supply cable (2), 0.5 mm² in diameter on the aerial splitter using an insulation-piercing connector E.

 

All cars

Lay branches B2 – B5 to the audio wiring harness (1) on the C pillar and connect them as follows using two insulation-piercing connectors E:

– B2 to the BR cable (twisted with GE)

– B3 to the GE cable (twisted with BR)

– B4 to the BR cable (twisted with BL)

– B5 to the BL cable (twisted with BR)

Lay branch B1 to the spare wheel trough.

To install the subwoofer module E46/2/4

Screw the nut G on to the stud bolt (1) at a distance of 10 mm from the wing nut (2). Install the washer I.

Note:The subwoofer D must not be able to move on the cover (1).

 

Place the subwoofer D on the cover (1).

Screw the nut G loosely against the subwoofer holder.

 

Install the washer I and secure the subwoofer D with the nut H.

Push the foam tube J over the subwoofer connection plug.

Connect the 3-pin WS plug casing (1) to branch A1 .

Connect the 4-pin WS plug casing (2) to branch B1 .

Push the foam tube J over the plug connection (rattle guard).

Install the power supply cable A and speaker cable B and secure them with textile adhesive tape (1).

 

To install the subwoofer module E46/3

Place the subwoofer D on the boot floor trim (1), mark the dimensions on the floor cover (2) and cut it out.

Cut the passage hole (1), 28 mm in diameter, out of the boot floor trim.

Thread the power supply cable A and speaker cable B through the passage hole in the boot floor trim.

Secure the fastening plate (1) and subwoofer holder G with the wing nut (2).

Push the foam tube J over the subwoofer connection plug D.

Thread branches A1 and B1 through the opening (3) in the floor cover (4).

Connect the 3-pin WS plug casing (1) to branch A1 .

Connect the 4-pin WS plug casing (2) to branch B1 .

To install the subwoofer module E46/3

Push the foam tube J over the plug connection (rattle guard).

Thread the connections through the cut-out opening (1) and place them under the floor cover (2) as shown.

Align the subwoofer D on the floor cover (1) and secure it with the washer I and wing nut H.

Concluding work and coding

This retrofit system does not require coding.

– Connect the battery

– Conduct a brief test

– Conduct a function test

– Re-assemble the car.