I'm installing a new stereo on my 10 year old BMW. The one that I'm replacing is also not from BMW, but not the same brand as this new one. So I need to redo the wiring to the ISO connection lead.
Everything is fine, just connecting same colors together. But there's an Orange wire on the connector labeled "illumination". There was an orange wire on the old stereo, but there's no orange wire on this new system. There's no "illumination" on the manual either.
What is the orange wire for? Is it OK to ignore it?
2007-06-17 08:08:19 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Audio
An illumination wire simply lets the head unit detect when your headlights are on. When voltage is detected on the wire, the unit will dim the display so that it doesn't hurt your night vision. It is NOT for turning on the radio display lights, and it does NOT allow you to adjust the head unit display using the vehicle dimmer switch. It just dims the display when your lights turn on.
The factory radio harness usually contains one or more illumination wires. You can test for it using a multimeter. A true illumination wire will show 12 volts with the parking lights on, and 0 volts with the lights off; it won't vary with the dimmer switch. You may find a "dimmer" wire, which will show voltage with the parking lights on, but the voltage will vary as you adjust the switch. You can connect the new radio's illumination wire to either one and it will work, but using the true illumination wire is better.
2007-06-17 10:49:41 · answer #1 · answered by KaeZoo 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Many stereo installation centers have patch kits for just such instances where the previous stereo was stolen and the harness is damaged. See if you can find one of those first. Or try a wrecking yard for a factory hookup. If you cannot find one, then just wire it straight to the harness. Remember, even if you replace the factory wiring, you will still have to get the adapter to hook the new stereo into the factory harness. If you are not worried about removing the stereo later when you plan to upgrade or sell the car, just wire it to the harness and don't worry about the factory connectors. Just make sure you wire it correctly.
2016-03-19 03:44:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
illumination wire is the wire that goes to dash lights. It enables you turn the brightness up and down by your dash light switch. If you don`t use no big deal they are set on bright by default
2007-06-17 08:15:29 · answer #3 · answered by miiiikeee 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋
To light up the radio at night. Connect it to your dash panel light fuse so the radio lights when the headlights are tuirned on.
2007-06-17 08:14:21 · answer #4 · answered by K R 4 · 2⤊ 5⤋