Car Stereos: sony xplode radio to a 1997 z3, bmw z3 1997, sony xplode

Question
i install my xplode radio to my BMW z3 1997 the radio works but the usb and cd player don't work in the radio and i took it to best buy and they test the radio and everything work in the radio what can the problem be, please help me.

Answer
Hi Oscar,

Your Z3 includes a factory amplifier, which needs to be activated.  This is done by connecting a wire in the radio harness.  Right now, it sounds like the amplifier's activation wire is connected to the Sony deck's power antenna output.  This is a blue wire in the Sony harness, and it's only activated when you select "Tuner" as a source.

To fix the problem, disconnect whatever you have attached to the blue wire in the Sony harness, then connect it to the blue/white wire instead.  The blue/white wire is meant to be used for activating an amplifier, and it will keep the sound working regardless of which audio source is selected.

Hope this helps!

Brian