Hello!

Here we go with a first post.
I just recently purchased my first ever mini and i am in love! I am however having a issue. I changed out the old original head unit with a aftermarket one (kenwood.) After marking sure it was wired correctly multiple times i still could not get it to play audio through my speakers. Now that i have done research... i see that this is a common issue. Does anyone know a fix for this with out having to replace all of the speakers and the amp?

I have some more questions also but i will only do one at a time lol.

 

You have to replace EVERYTHING if you remove the stock head unit with HK.
The speakers are non standard...impedance, the crossovers are built into the amp, and the amp itself is non standard....
There have been adaptors to allow one to use any head with the amps,but they are $$ and fail...
For 99% of folks, just rip it out and start over, INCLUDING the speakers.sorry for the bad news.

 

If it was working before your project, simply reinstall the OE headunit and live with it.

 

A solution is to purchase the HK enabler from newMINIstuff here: http://newministuff.com/hk-enabler-465-p.asp

It's not exactly cheap and has to be shipped over the Atlantic, but will allow you to use your stock HK system with an aftermarket headunit. I have one, works just fine.

Or, as stated, rip it all out (I think you can still use the wires, even though they're built into the main harness) or just live with the stock headunit.

 

As often as the amps fail...and as $$ as they are to replace, and the fact the stock speakers are "and of life" IMO after so many years of heat, cold and moisture, I would suggest, rip it out, and start over....
Or live with the stock head unit...save up some $$, wait for the amp to fail...it WILL fail...then start over!!