Routing wires through the forward bulkhead

[khnitz]

I'm helping out a friend and need to pass a couple of wires between the forward bulkhead/firewall of his 2008 C4S cabrio. Basically, I need to pass those wires from the center console area through to the front trunk.

I've searched around here a bit, but haven't found a clear explanation or best practice recommendation.

Your suggestions/links are appreciated!

[AP 997S]

I'm told there is a grommet for a wire harness that passes thru the bulkhead to the cabin behind the dash. I believe it was some where behind the glove box but I don't recall.

You might want to do a search, either in this forum or the others (ie. 6speed, RennTeam, etc) under 'IPOD' or 'Dension' since those are the devices that require that sort of wiring addition.

Happy Searching!

[leneuromancer]

facing the car, trunk open, behind the battery and to the right (drivers side) is a grommet, probably just under 2" in diameter (IIRC), cut a tiny slit in here to pass the wire through

[khnitz]

facing the car, trunk open, behind the battery and to the right (drivers side) is a grommet, probably just under 2" in diameter (IIRC), cut a tiny slit in here to pass the wire through

Great, thanks! Would the battery have to be removed to gain access? I hope not (as I know disconnecting the battery causes a whole bunch of trouble codes to be set in various ECUs... :o

[leneuromancer]

Great, thanks! Would the battery have to be removed to gain access? I hope not (as I know disconnecting the battery causes a whole bunch of trouble codes to be set in various ECUs... :o

cant remember if the battery *must* be removed but I wouldn't fear any issue from disconnecting it (assuming you do it right) - the PASM Failure message will come up when you reconnect and start but it will reset and be fine within minutes of driving

also, while not knowing what is going on, if your running wires, one may assume your doing something electrical and perhaps that disconnecting the battery is a good idea anyway

good luck

[khnitz]

cant remember if the battery *must* be removed but I wouldn't fear any issue from disconnecting it (assuming you do it right) - the PASM Failure message will come up when you reconnect and start but it will reset and be fine within minutes of driving

also, while not knowing what is going on, if your running wires, one may assume your doing something electrical and perhaps that disconnecting the battery is a good idea anyway

good luck

I certainly don't disconnect an ECUs anymore if the ignition is in the On position - too many Airbag DTCs are set that way - particularly on the newer Volvos (what the heck does an HVAC control panel have to do with the airbag, anyway? :P ).

I'm routing the fiber optic lines from a Dension GW500 out to the CD changer in the front trunk for CD changer retention.

Thanks, again!

[AP 997S]

Most Dension installs (mine included) are mounted in the enclosed area (where the NAV (C2 configuration) & other electronic boxes are) trunk area. A few folks have mounted the Dension behind the glove box but they are few and far between. In my case I 'Velcro'd' the actual IPOD right next to it. Being in the 'trunk' area it's always connected and charged and out of sight. Plenty of space in there plus it's easier to tap into the MOST cable and pick up the +/- 12v from the CD changer harness. I figured I had complete control of the IPOD from the PCM so why stick it in the cabin and go through the task of running a harness to it.

It'll be 2 years (in May) since I installed it there and it loves it there. No problems what so ever.

You might want to do a search on this forum and others (ie. 6speed, RennTeam, etc) for further info regarding the trunk and cabin Dension installs.

I know you're dealing w/ a C4S so the NAV & Changer are in the open trunk area as opposed to being hidden behind the plastic trim. There most be plenty of Dension/C4 installs. Save yourself a lot of time and trouble and do the search and/or query on all the boards.

ps. I would suspect that the shorter the fiber optic cables are, the less problematic, so avoiding longer cables should be paramount.

[khnitz]

ps. I would suspect that the shorter the fiber optic cables are, the less problematic, so avoiding longer cables should be paramount. [/b]

Actually, that's why I prefer to mount them in the cabin. I can connect right behind the radio. I just don't see many people who want to hang onto a CD changer once they have an iPod/MP3 player in the car :huh:

Also, I've found that locating the GW500 in the cabin allows easy access to the iPod, USB stick input and L/R aux input (I put all that in the glovebox). If you're going to be switching between the GW500 and CD changer, you need to have the service mode switch handy.

Thanks for the help offered up here!

Edited February 6, 2009 by khnitz

[AP 997S]

Here's a link to a behind the glove box install . . . http://www.flickr.com/photos/33889996@N00/...57600783213574/

[khnitz]

Yup, very familiar with that. I typically leave the GW500 unit behind the radio in the Carrera/Boxster/Caymans. This one doesn't seem to feature CD changer retention, however (only 1 set of MOST lines shown) - so it probably didn't have to pass through to the front trunk.

[AP 997S]

Another photo link of GT3 install that might give you ideas if you don't want the Dension inside the cabin.

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/gt3-gt2...-installed.html