Factory Radio
 

Ok, I'm 14 (15 in April) and I"m gonna start driving soon.
My dad owns a BMW shop and he decided to buy me a car on certain terms.
he bought me a 318ti its a 96 and its red.
I love it
the conditions were that I diagnose anything that breaks, and buy the parts, and replace them.
since I've been around my dads shop for about 10 years and I fix them regularly, I agreed.
I've had no problems so far.
except for the radio.
they had installed an after market radio but left the wiring harness intact.
when we bought the car they removed the radio so I got a factory radio out of a parts car and hooked it up (except for the wire on the back post of the radio because i can not locate it.)
when the key is off the anti-theft light lights up but when you turn the key it turns off and the radio does not work.
I tried running a ground wire from a ground point to the back of the radio but it did not work.
any ideas?

what do you mean it does not work? Nothing comes on the display when you push the power buttons? Or you can't select stations? Doesn't play cassettes? Or does it say "CODE" when turned on?

The radios themselves have an anti-theft feature. When disconnected from battery power (which you did when removing it from a car), the radio is locked and will not operate until you enter in it's code. To get the code, take the radio to a dealership (you may want to drive up in the ti just so they know for sure it's not stolen). They should lookup the code for free based on the serial number on the back.

i called the dealership and asked them for the code during a parts order, and i have it.
but when you turn the key on in any position, the anti-theft light turns off and nothing turns on even after you press the power button

have you checked the fuse on the radio itself?

There is a fuse on the back of the radio. It may allow power to the anti-theft even if it's blown, but not enough to power the unit.

Run a voltmeter across or straight up replace it.

yes, i checked the fuse in the back of the radio, i checked the fuses under the hood, and ive also checked relays.
im starting to think it might be a problem with the radio but it worked in our parts car

hmm, you may want to check the harness. Specifically, verify that the radio is getting the switched 12V from the battery when key is turned in ignition.

ok, i didn't think about that
because i figured it got the power for anti-theft
but i looked at an ETM for it and i realized it has a "hot at all times" and a "hot when key is turned"
so i will definitely try that

ok, i checked it and it does not get voltage, so ill have to trace down wires and see if they split into it anywhere or if it got cut somehow
and im hoping i don't have to remove the dashboard
i did an e38 740il dashboard
it isn't something I'd do again unless i was getting paid
haha

I know what you mean. I had to dismantle one in a 89' 325is. . . not the most fun task in the world.