Correct antenna adapter (aftermarket radio to stock antenna)

[spacecowboy]

Is the Metra 40-VW10 the right adapter? Is there another brand or type that is recommended?

[felonious monk]

Try METRA 40-VW53 or METRA 40-EU55. It's been a long time since I worked on my audio, and I think the former was used.

http://www.installer.com/search/sear...pter&B1=SEARCH

[spacecowboy]

Try METRA 40-VW53 or METRA 40-EU55. It's been a long time since I worked on my audio, and I think the former was used.

I picked up a 40-VW53 from Best Buy tonight. What a joke. They should change the name to "WTF Is Going On?" It's amazing they sell anything at all.

The adapter snaps in to place, which was a concern of mine, so it wont be working its way loose.

Now I've got a question about the leads & the turning on of the amplified antenna & the amp. I have a Metra adapter # 70-8591 plugged in to the factory harness. There is a blue wire coming out of the dash off the main adapter, a blue wire with a stripe coming off the radios harness, & another blue wire with a stripe coming off the antenna adapter. How do these hook up? Striped wire to striped wire? Then what to do with the blue wire?, or does that also get connected to the blue & striped wire coming off the radio?

[felonious monk]

I don't remember. Like I said, it's been a long time since I did my audio. All I remember is the adapter uses a powered lead (usually for power antennas, or the remote amp turn on wire–usually blue) to supply power to the antenna. Which ever you use, as long as it is powered will work. I'm guessing blue with white strip is switched power. Matching the wires should be fine. Test the wires.

You may want to post over in the audio section.

[spacecowboy]

I did some more research & will have to confirm it when I test the leads, but BMW's remote turn on wire is said to be white on the main harness.

The white wire being the turn on has been confirmed. I tested the leads, & got it all to work. The blue wire coming off the radio (remote turn on) attaches to the blue lead coming off the antenna adapter. It also attaches to the blue & striped lead coming off the Metra adapter that comes out of the dash & is attached to the BMW loom. I used a test light in the trunk to confirm power to the HK amp with & without the lead attached at the radio.

The next step is hooking up the new component speakers when they arrive.

[Kram71]

I know this is an old thread but I'm going to buy a 40-VW53 wiring adapter. On the old antenna I saw coaxiael a clip and a hot wire. On the adaptor I see a coaxial and a wire. Any advice? I will post a picture of the adapter.

[Kram71]

I should have taken a picture of what I was disconnecting before I disconnected it. I think I know where the black clip will go but where does that wire with the circular adapter go?

[deni2s]

I should have taken a picture of what I was disconnecting before I disconnected it. I think I know where the black clip will go but where does that wire with the circular adapter go?

Looks like ground wire. Attaches to body of the car, there should be some bolt for that around.

[Kram71]

Looks like ground wire. Attaches to body of the car, there should be some bolt for that around.

Thanks for your reply. That is what I suspect as well. I think it connects to the bolt that held the antenna base in place.

If I buy that coaxial adapter to use a aftermarket antenna, I may have to buy a female to female adapter as well.

My base broke so easily today. I suspect it was really brittle. The grommet was bad anyway.

[deni2s]

Thanks for your reply. That is what I suspect as well. I think it connects to the bolt that held the antenna base in place.

I think this is the ground point (with brown wire attached).

[Kram71]

That is it. Thanks for the pic. Do you have any antenna? I do not see one.

I think this is the ground point (with brown wire attached).

[deni2s]

That is it. Thanks for the pic. Do you have any antenna? I do not see one.

That car was missing antenna base when pic was taken.

[Kram71]

My OEM base broke a couple of months ago. I decided to go with a nice inexpensive over the counter new base/antenna.

Guys I spent at least an hour (probably more) searching through a bunch of different BMW antenna base to after market antenna adapters that would require zero rewiring from front or back. Crutchfield, Autozone, and other car places all gave a different answer that was wrong in my opinion. I think I finally found the perfect EURO to Motorola adaptor and it cost me less than $10. It fits like a glove and the sound is better than ever.
Metra 40-VW16 Aftermarket Antenna Cable for Volkswagen

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1