HK amp wiring diagram
 

Looking for an amp wiring diagram for 04 MCS. Want to avoid running new speaker wires. Any help for 04 MCS with HK system?

This was a spreadsheet I used during an Mini H/K to E46 amp conversion. Use the P1 column and the Mini H/K column. I also have the mini schem's.

More schematics:

That's great, thanks. Still trying to decide if I tap in there or just route all new wiring. Will it be obvious when look at the connector which pins are which?

If I recall correctly they are numbered.

So very helpful
 

I just got my mini, a 2003 r53. I only had the left side of my cars speakers working, I didn't realize this during the test drive since it was very busy traffic and I just checked that the radio worked. I've been running diagnostics on the car for weeks, blown speakers, blown amp, cut speaker wires somewhere, I just couldn't figure it out!

Turns out the amp was replaced from the mini HK to a E46 HK and since they have the same plug whoever replaced it did not take the time to rearrange the pins!

I was worried I was going to have to shell out for a new sound system entirely!

Resurrection....
 

Hey Fellas,

Add me to the long list of those let down by the H/K amplifier.

I'm not an audiophile; just some dude who listens to the radio at a reasonable volume. So my goal is to get some basic tunes back with the minimum investment.

I'm looking at some options to graft in an aftermarket 4 channel, 2 ohm amplifier using as much of the stock harness as possible. I can easily find a used 4 channel amp from CL for $50. The initial thought was to just use the H/K head unit output channels at as high power inputs on the aftermarket amplifier. So I hunted around for a wiring diagram showing the various wires:

http://gbmini.net/downloads/PGEN/hk-plug-grey.htm
http://gbmini.net/downloads/PGEN/hk-plug-black.htm

What I find very odd/interesting is that there appear to be only two output channels from the H/K head unit to the H/K amplifier, and then strangely eight channels of output from the H/K amplifier to what I gather is only six speakers in the Mini Cooper.

So, the million dollar question is, is the amplifier actually only taking the signal from two channels of the head unit and then processing them into eight?

You are correct. You need to replace it all. Headunit and amp...most likely speakers too.

There is not actually an "H/K head unit". The HK system uses the same headunit as the base system, and the HK amp uses two speaker level outputs from the headunit. The amp splits the signal into separate outputs for each of the 8 speakers (woofers and tweeters separately), and also applies electronic crossover and equalization for each speaker (the HK speakers themselves have no filters or crossovers). The HK system isn't compatible with aftermarket components, and upgrading it is an all-or-nothing proposition.

Thanks for the note.

Supposing I decide to keep the factory head unit and change out everything downstream of it (amplifier etc), do I need to make any changes to the car's firmware to tell it the H/K amplifier is gone?

Some HK options through https://technicpnp.com/shop/, not sure if it can work with your gen but worth an email.

No coding necessary, assuming you have a 1st generation MINI (R53/R50/R52). If you replace the HK amp, you can reuse its wiring out to the speakers (also replace the speakers with aftermarket).

Very interesting. I think this would be the best match for a 1st generation HK, but you should check with the vendor: https://technicpnp.com/product/hifi-harness-2/

I woke up with a new plan. I'm saying screw it, and just buying another H/K amplifier. I just can't warm up to the idea of gutting my car so I can have tunes on my 15 minute commute.

Thanks for all the tips besides.

I think it is totally inexcusable that Harman Kardon has never provided any support for this problem.

If you are tech savvy, check these out:

https://gethypoxic.com/blogs/technic...man-kardon-amp
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...amp-works.html (HK amp from BMW E46 is available from eBay for as low as $45)

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4262783

Managed to get some passable tunes for the time being using the trick from this post. Took approx 15 mins to identify and then bundle up the various connections from the H/K amp plug to get my rear speakers working driven by the stock HU.

Another shift..... :)
 

So it took a ton of reading, but I think I have a solution that will cost the same amount as a replacement H/K Amplifier.

I've found the "Be All, End All" of old school amplifiers for sale on the local swap bulletin board.

Its a near mint condition A/D/S P850.2 8 Channel Amplifier from the late 1990's. Its designed to run 2 or 4 ohms in stereo, and has onboard High/Low Pass Filters with infinitely adjustable Crossovers. Also allows for both high power or RCA signal inputs from either 2 or 4 input channels.

In other words, I can retain the stock Head Unit, the H/K Speakers, and the factory wiring. I just need to graft in the amp where the H/K amp was. I'll post up the results of the install.

There's a similar replacement I've seen on here using a JL Audio (XD600/6?) 6 channel amp. It's also 2 ohm stable and supposed to be just slightly larger than the HK amp so it fits in the stock location with little or no modifications. I think the info is in the big HK amp problem thread.

As far as grafting it in, that's what the adapters in posts #11 and #13 are supposed to facilitate. It would be a tradeoff between spending the money or making the job easier.

The HK speakers may work well enough but they are relatively low quality, and the HK amp applies corrections to compensate for their response. In your new setup you'll be missing the processing applied by the HK amp. For a further upgrade, you can replace the speakers.

Would you be so kind as to send me those schematics??

hello im new at this . if anyone has a schematic or wiring color code for a harman/kardon amp . thanks

I doubt you're still looking, but what I did was look at the twisted wire pair for each speaker as they were being replaced, and then identified them by color code when I pulled the amp.