Radio Harness Removal - HEEEELP!!

supertack · supertack's Garage

Folks,

I'm about to blow my frickin' brains out. How do you get the wiring harness off the C33 factory head unit?

I see there is a black plastic latch with a diagram etched into it, showing how it slides upward on a track. I am able to slide that latch up about half way, but it won't come off, or release the harness.

I know tons of you guys have replaced your head unit, so someone has gotta be able to give me some insight. Please, I can't figure this frickin' thing out!!

blkongry · 09-29-2005, 06:49 AM

I had exactly the same b!tch of a time with mine... ended up breaking it. Apparently, from the design, you flip that retainer all the way over from the locked position, then work the clip off. Mine wouldn't go, and I pryed on it, then lost my patience and ripped the ***** out of the thing and got it off. I tore off half of the locking mechanism, but the plug was okay. Once I finally got it off, what was left of the latch worked just fine. I think it's because that latch has this grooved 'slide' keyway in it, and as it slides it's supposed to kick the harness off, but mine didn't... it stuck, and wouldn't go. I probably should have pryed the latch furter into the 'release' direction and that would have let it go, but instead I tore it off... that definitely let it go. What a total PITA... I feel your frustration, man!

supertack · supertack's Garage

So all your suppose to do is pull up on the retaining latch (part with image etched into it) while pulling the harness off the back?

What I don't understand is there is (4) plastic nubs that slide in the tracks of the retaining latch. Those nubs are part of the base of the unit, so they don't come off with the harness/latch. I can't seem to get the latch tracks over the nubs to release the harness. Any ideas?

Whose the frickin' moron that came up with this idiotic design?

parolof · parolof's Garage

"Whose the frickin' moron that came up with this idiotic design" it's supposed to be childproof;-)

blkongry · 09-29-2005, 12:13 PM

LOL... you're pretty funny over there Parolof!! Yes, many-a-children are constantly removing my stereo and unplugging my head unit... the little Barstards!! ;-p~ So glad they childproofed it!

blkongry · 09-29-2005, 12:24 PM

Hey Supe, try this... http://www.carstereohelp.com/stereoremovalBmwConnecetorR.htm
...I'm guessing the guy is talking about prying on the slider piece in question.

supertack · supertack's Garage

Yah, I got it already BLK. Thanks for the link though, that woulda been helpful last night before I kicked the dog.

Apparently you pry up & pull off at the same time. The latch that you pry up ejects the harness off the back of the unit.

Now for the good stuff. I replaced the crappy C33 with no frickin' display with a C34. Not only is the display nice & bright, but it has RDS & PTY. The RDS gives animated wording across the screen with the stations id & info. The PTY shows station genre & depending on the station, what song is currently playing. The C34 also has no high end limit, which means it makes much better use of the factory amp. I can't believe how much better it sounds to the C33, like the difference between shooting a bullet & throwing it. Best part was, it's completely compatible. Factory CD changer & everything worked like a charm.

If anyone is interested in dropping their old C33's like a bad habit, but likes the stock look, this is the way to go. I got mine used off eBay for $175. Considering a used C33 with a bright display will still cost ya $75-$100 used, it's not a bad option.

blkongry · 09-30-2005, 10:38 AM

Wow, didn't know there was such a difference between the factory head units... great info for anyone looking to upgrade.

Sorry the info didn't make it in time to save the dog's hide, but at least you got it off, changed, and back together... now you can go have a beer and crank up the tunes (but not while behind the wheel of course ;-)

supertack · supertack's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by blkongry
Sorry the info didn't make it in time to save the dog's hide

Ahh, she's a frickin' pain in the azz anyway. I was completely annoyed that I couldn't figure out how to get that stupid harness off, so I went inside to get away from it for a while, & found a huge piss spot on the family room carpet. She paid dearly for that one.

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Pry and pull, here's a shot:

coolbear1 · 10-06-2005, 09:41 PM

Those nubs look like part of the base but they actually are part of that stupid plug from hell. that Plug is huge. And its in so good you could bungee jump from it.
I just replaced my wifes factory Alpine in her 325 with a Blaupunkt. I bought the adapter harness for 6 bucks. I also put a Nakamichi in my daughters Z3. I like the Nakamichi better but I don't think I spelled it right.

You have to pull sideways on the ***** lock and up on ***** plug the same amount at the same time while you have your hands buried in the dash and the stick stuck comfortably up your armpit.

I'd like to know what relative of Hitlers designed that gauntlet. And how about that radio antenna plug? I would Have given them 10 bucks extra for enough wire to get it out the dash.

Don't get me wrong I love my BMW's, but they do some things so perfect, and then make others out of Popsicle sticks and barbed wire.

The cars will go a half million miles and you still don't have to add oil between oil changes, but the windows won't roll up and the speakers fall inside the doors before 100k miles.

Go figure.

blkongry · 01:50 PM

LOL... how true. Is there such a thing as a perfectly designed vehicle (I don't know, but read somewhere that the Lexus RX330 is).

Oh, and if your windows won't roll up, I just did a post here on a regulator/motor rebuild I recently completed.... that part must have been designed by Hitler's other sadistic cousin!

parolof · parolof's Garage

nah, never, not the Lexus;-)