Instructions for Front Midrange / Tweeter Installation in BMW 3 Series/M3 (E36)

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Gerald Patrick
5 years ago
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1 Disclaimer: Bavarian Soundwerks highly recommends professional installation of the products we sell. We provide these installation instructions free of charge as a guide to assist those customers who choose to perform the installation themselves. Additionally, they may serve as a guide to assist a professional installer in order to expedite the installation of the customer s new products. However, Bavarian Soundwerks makes no guarantee, implied or expressed, as to the accuracy or safety of these instructions. Use of these instructions constitutes a waiver of all liability including, but not limited to, damage that may occur to the reader s, user s, or customer s vehicle, its components, and/or the reader, customer, or installer. Instructions for Front Midrange / Tweeter Installation in BMW 3 Series/M3 (E36) Tools Required: (All the below are readily available at your local auto parts store) Panel Removal Tool Torx T20 screwdriver 8mm socket wrench Small, Straight Pick Tool Hot Glue Gun w/glue Sticks We ve broken down our instructions into each task so that you can take the process one step at a time and keep the project manageable! Some important notes for you to keep in mind: If you have any questions about the procedures outlined below, please stop what you re doing and give us a call. If we re not available, and you re not sure if what you re doing is correct, put the car back together and hold off on the installation until we get everything clarified for you. Believe us, it s worth it. Variations do occur from car to car and year to year, but they aren t going to drastically affect any of the below instructions. When removing parts from your vehicle, to make reinstallation easier and simpler, we highly recommend the use of zip-lock bags with labels to organize the smaller the parts you re removing. **IMPORTANT: Before you make any connections, we recommend disconnecting the negative battery terminal from the battery. This will eliminate any chance electrical damage to the vehicle. Please note, however, that if you have your original BMW head unit and your vehicle was made in 2000 or earlier, you may need to have your radio code handy, typically found on a small card with your owner s manual. If you don t have this code, you can get it by calling your BMW dealership and providing your vehicle s VIN. Vehicles newer than 2000 do not need this code. We ve Made It Easy Congratulations on the purchase of your new speakers! We know you will enjoy years of performance and use from your new speakers, and look forward to assisting you with all of your future audio needs. Below 1 of 7

you will find a comprehensive installation guide to help you install your new speakers as quickly as possible.

step-by-step. 1) Door Panel Removal 1. Orient yourself with the door panel before beginning the installation process. 2.

panel. If so, begin here. If not, skip to step 4. (Figure 1) 3. Pop the airbag plug out using your panel tool.

Now, look behind the door grip-handle and you will see two plastic inserts. Remove these using your panel removal tool.

2 you will find a comprehensive installation guide to help you install your new speakers as quickly as possible. If any questions do arise during the installation, please call us and we will be more than happy to help guide you through the process step-by-step. 1) Door Panel Removal 1. Orient yourself with the door panel before beginning the installation process. 2. Determine whether or not your door is equipped with airbags by looking for a small plastic insert labeled airbag near the rear of the door panel. If so, begin here. If not, skip to step 4. (Figure 1) 3. Pop the airbag plug out using your panel tool. This will reveal a Torx T20 bolt. Remove this. (Figure 1) Figure 1 4. Now, look behind the door grip-handle and you will see two plastic inserts. Remove these using your panel removal tool. This will reveal two Torx T20 bolts. Remove these as well. (See Figure 1) Figure 1 5. Locate the black or chrome door handle and notice the plastic shroud surrounding it. Remove this by sliding the piece forward towards the front of the vehicle to release, and then pull it away from the door panel. (Figure 2) 2 of 7

Figure 2 6. At this point, all screws attaching the door panel to the door frame vehicle have been removed. Pry outward the bottom rearward corner of the door panel using your door panel removal tool.

Do so by continuing around the perimeter of the panel using your hands and pulling the door panel towards you. 8.

3 Figure 2 6. At this point, all screws attaching the door panel to the door frame vehicle have been removed. Pry outward the bottom rearward corner of the door panel using your door panel removal tool. Use firm, steady pressure and the corner will release. 7. Once the corner is released, release the rest of the clips attaching the door panel. Do so by continuing around the perimeter of the panel using your hands and pulling the door panel towards you. 8. Once the panel has been fully released from its clips, slip the panel over the lock at the top of the panel. 9. Now unplug the connectors for both speakers, and place the door panel aside, being careful not to scratch or drop it. 2) Midrange Removal/Replacement 1. Here s what you should see once your door panel is removed. The smaller speaker is the tweeter, and the larger speaker is the midrange. (Figure 3) Figure 3 2. Unscrew the back ring from the midrange housing (counter clockwise). Push the assembly forwards through the door panel, being careful not to damage the thin plastic ring around the outer perimeter. NOTE: The plastic surrounding the outer edge mentioned above is notoriously brittle. Try your best 3 of 7

not to handle the speaker assembly by this outer edge. Now may also be the time to repair the ring(s) if any cracking has previously occurred. 3.

You ll need to pry them inward and upward to free up the plate and subsequently the speaker housed inside of the assembly. (Figure 4) Figure 4 4.

Now, cut the red and black wires from the OEM speaker directly at the speaker terminals. We will be reusing the factory plug when reinstalling the new midrange. 6.

4 not to handle the speaker assembly by this outer edge. Now may also be the time to repair the ring(s) if any cracking has previously occurred. 3. Notice the two pairs of tabs attached to the plastic plate with the speaker plug attached to it toward the rear of the assembly. You ll need to pry them inward and upward to free up the plate and subsequently the speaker housed inside of the assembly. (Figure 4) Figure 4 4. There are two more opposing tabs located closer to the front of the assembly. Pry these tabs outward, and the speaker will be free at this point. (Figure 5) Figure 5 5. Now, cut the red and black wires from the OEM speaker directly at the speaker terminals. We will be reusing the factory plug when reinstalling the new midrange. 6. Push the two tabs closest to the front of the assembly back into place, and drop the new midrange directly into the assembly with the speaker facing outward. 7. Place a bead of hot glue around the speaker where it comes into contact with the assembly, making sure not to get any glue on the speaker itself. Don t worry about the plastic plate that you removed. We won t be reusing it anymore. (Figure 6) 4 of 7

5 (Figure 6) 8. Plug the included wires onto the new midrange speaker terminals, using the following guide: The red wire is Positive (+) The black wire is Negative (-) 9. Create connections between original wiring and new midrange wiring according to the chart below (for the specific process, see steps 9a-9e. Connection Wire Color at Mid Wire Color on Vehicle Driver Midrange + Red Red Driver Midrange - Black Connects to: Black Passenger Midrange + Red Red Passenger Midrange - Black Black a. Strip back approximately ¼ of the insulation from the end of the vehicle wire, exposing the copper wiring. b. Insert the vehicle wire into one side of the appropriate butt connector on midrange leads and crimp. c. Gently tug at each side of the connection to insure it is secure and permanent. d. Wrap with electrical tape. e. Repeat until for second connection. 10. Place the front portion the assembly back through the door panel, and screw the ring back into place, securing the assembly. Make sure to line up the HK logo if your car is so equipped. 11. Reconnect the plug for the midrange. 5 of 7

2) Front Tweeter Removal/Replacement (Optional if you did not purchase tweeters, skip this section). 1. Here s what you should see once your door panel is removed.

6 2) Front Tweeter Removal/Replacement (Optional if you did not purchase tweeters, skip this section). 1. Here s what you should see once your door panel is removed. The smaller speaker is the tweeter, and the larger speaker is the midrange. (Figure 3) Figure 3 2. Unscrew the back ring from the tweeter housing (counter clockwise). Push the assembly forwards through the door panel, being careful not to damage the thin plastic ring around the outer perimeter. NOTE: The plastic surrounding the outer edge mentioned above is notoriously brittle. Try your best not to handle the speaker assembly by this outer edge. Now may also be the time to repair the ring(s) if any cracking has previously occurred. 3. Pry the tweeters away from the front housing out using a pick or small, flat head screwdriver of some sort. (Figure 4) Figure 4 4. Attach your new tweeters to the the housing using hot glue, which you can acquire at your local hardware store. Allow the hot glue to set up for minutes. 5. Reinstall tweeter housing in door panel. Reinstallation is reverse of removal. 6 of 7

7 6. Create connections between original wiring and new tweeter according to the chart below (for the specific process, see steps 6a-6f. Connection Wire Color at Tweeter Wire Color on Vehicle Driver Tweeter + Silver w/ White Stripe Green w/ Black Stripe Driver Tweeter - Silver Connects to: Green Passenger Tweeter + Silver w/ White Stripe Green w/ Black Stripe Passenger Tweeter - Silver Green a. Cut the appropriate vehicle wire from the chart above in half, being sure to leave at least 5 of length attached to the original connectors on the original tweeters (to allow for reversal to stock if needed). b. Strip back approximately ¼ of the insulation from the end of the vehicle wire, exposing the copper wiring. c. Insert the vehicle wire into one side of the appropriate butt connector on tweeter lead and crimp. d. Gently tug at each side of the connection to insure it is secure and permanent. e. Wrap with electrical tape. f. Repeat until for second connection. Reinstall your door panel. Reinstallation is the reverse of removal. Repeat for the second door, and you re done! 7 of 7

Instructions for Front Midrange Installation in BMW 3 Series/M3 Coupe, Cabrio without Harman Kardon Audio System (E46)

Instructions for Front Midrange Installation in BMW 3 Series/M3 Coupe, Cabrio without Harman Kardon Audio System (E46) Disclaimer: Bavarian Soundwerks highly recommends professional installation of the products we sell. We provide these installation instructions free of charge as a guide to assist those customers who choose