divil

I'm replacing my original Blaupunkt stereo with a new unit. But there's a connection on the back of the old one that I don't understand - it's a circular 7 pin connection (with an 8th pin in the center). The sticker on the back of the stereo identifies it as a 'preamp output' - can anyone explain that in more detail? I know there is an antenna preamp, but I was under the impression that's the wire that's bundled with the antenna wire. There is nothing remotely like this 7/8 pin connection on my new stereo.

tman

Its a preamp or "low level" output to an amplifier, most current headunits have RCA type connections for this instead of the DIN plug like on your Blaupunkt.

divil

ok, now I'm even more confused - I thought those RCA connections on my new head unit were for the speaker connections. There is nowhere else I can connect the speakers to

Hollywood D

The RCAs go to the amp. Then you hook up speaker wire from the amp to the sub, or from the amp to the individual speakers depending on what setup you're doing. Or if you're not using an amp you just hook the old speaker wires up to the new ones on your new head unit. The PO of my car put a sony head unit it and I had to pull it out one day to get back there for something. What a nightmare of wires, looked like a royal PITA.

divil

I don't even know where this amp is. Anyone know? The speakers were connected directly to the original head unit. I thought I could just do the same with the new one?

tman

You don't need an amp, just hook speaker wires to new radio. They give you the RCA outputs in case you want to add an amp for more power.

speedfreek155

First was the "DIN" plug used in the original installation ? If not ignore it as stated in earlier posts . It is only a proprietary connection for Blaupunkts own products , Alpine , Kenwood , Pioneer etc. did the same thing earlier in the 12v aftermarket days . Nothing to be concerned with . There is a recent post with the wiring breakdown to the radio , it should help .

divil

Yes the DIN plug was connected to the back of the old stereo.

There is an equalizer on this car too, would it be anything to do with that?

I just connected up my new stereo and it didn't work. I powers on but I get no sound from the speakers. I'm using the Crutchfield wiring harness but I found that I had to connect another wire from the car's harness to the power to get the equalizer to power on. When I do that I get some static noise but still no sound from the stereo.

Also, for some reason there are only 2 speaker connectors in the car - but the car has front and rear speakers, so shouldn't there be 4?

speedfreek155

First the best move is remove the EQ it does not play well with other gear . Two pair of wires are common due to the fader in the console , you can access all four at the fader if you want , but if its just a head unit use the 2 pair and fader much easier , if your car has a second wire attached to your antenna lead it needs 12v as the antenna is powered . Good luck .

divil

thanks...I have now made some progress. I removed the eq and connected my new unit up to the speakers...now I get sound but it's very very weak and quite distorted. I have to turn the volume all the way up on the head unit to hear it properly without the engine running! It sounds very crackly if you follow me. Any ideas?

SteveIX51

Is the weak, distorted sound from the radio (i.e., received over-the-air)? If so, did you remember to connect the antenna amplifier power wire?

divil

Nope it's from the CD player.

divil

OK I just connected the original stereo directly to the speakers, and there is plenty of volume from that - but still the same crackly distortion, mostly from the little speakers at the extreme front.

EDIT: just noticed from the instructions that I'm supposed to connect the ground wire to the car's chassis somewhere. I have just connected it to the ground in the power connector. I don't see anywhere I could easily connect it to the car's chassis. Could that cause the problem, bearing in mind I am not using the radio? I would have thought the ground in the power connector would be properly grounded already?

divil

Sorted! My fault, I was connecting the RCA outputs to the speakers. I didn't realize there are separate speaker wires in the harness with more powerful output. Once I connected those up, it all works perfectly.

Anyone know where I can get a blank console cover for the gaping hole where my eq unit used to be?

tomv944

get the little plastic bin that snaps in. There should be plenty of them laying around unused