Car stereo wiring

[jussi]

Just picked up a used Alpine iDa-X305 receiver through CL. It came with the box, wiring harness, ipod cable and a small amp. The guy used it on his Dodge truck and comes with the wiring harness for a Dodge. Can I use the same one or will I have to buy a new one? I've never installed a stereo before so I see no reason why I can't. Any tips?

[Pappy]

The harness connection/adaptor kits are vehicle brand specific to allow you to plug an aftermarket stereo ito your factory wiring without cutting the vehicle's wires. You still have to match and splice the wires from your stereo to the wires on the adaptor. c
Can b a pain but not that difficult. There isn't a standard color code but each wire should be marked with its function.

[os1kne]

I've installed a bunch of car audio equipment - but it's probably been about 10 years since I've done one, so take this with a grain of salt. It is very likely that you can make the Dodge wiring harness work in your (assuming non-Dodge) vehicle, but I probably wouldn't use it if I didn't have to. You will be better off to find/get a wiring harness that matches your vehicle. I've seen some at Walmart, but Crutchfield (online) is probably your best bet for the widest selection of vehicles (my experience with them was always top notch, don't be afraid to speak to one of their people and ask questions about the best way to proceed). While your talking to the fine folks at Crutchfield, ask about mounting brackets, etc. that may be needed or recommended for your vehicle/receiver combination. The harness, etc. won't be free - but it will help you to do a nice, clean install.

A harness that matches your vehicle will give you the option of quickly and easily reinstalling your old reciever (if you sell, etc.), and it makes features like the display dimming with other dashboard lights, etc. more likely to work properly. It keeps you from needing to cut factory wiring, if the vehicle is under warranty, cutting factory wiring likely voids the warranty. It makes the job much easier by allowing you to make your wiring connections on a workbench outside the vehicle (without needing to get 2 hands and tools, etc. through the dash opening).

Being as long as it's been since I've done an install, it very well may be that all wiring harnesses have become standardized, but I'd bet they're more complicated than ever.

Good luck!

[crybdr]

You're venturing into territory I navigated personally 10 years ago when I upgraded the sound system in my 2001 Honda Cr-V. Like you, I purchased many of my components online and had never installed a new car stereo before.

I would suggest heading to Crutchfield's (crutchfield.com) website and looking up your vehicle as a starter. They have (if it still exists) a large and detailed database of disassembly, install, and reassembly instructions for many vehicles. You may be able to determine whether the specific connector you have (they can change depending upon model year) will work with your vehicle. Additionally, check the web to see if there is a 'forum' for you vehicle. These sites have lots of searchable information regarding the installation information you are seeking.

I would suggest doing as much up front research regarding the install from reputable websites as you can before you tear into your dash. I avoided frustration by planning - and my install of a new head unit, door speakers and newly located tweeters went without a hitch - removing all of the original Honda equipment and poking a few new holes. It took about 6 hours - but was a bomb-proof installation. Today, I'd probably hire the job out to a reputable installer (probably not Best Buy, or any other big chain, but a local small business that specializes in installation), but I was young and adventurous back then.....

I could imagine an entirely different scenario for my past install. Here's how it could have gone.... tearing apart the dash, getting the radio out, only to discover that my connectors didn't fit - ARRRGH! Putting it back together again hastily, knowing I would be tearing it apart again. Ugh. Headache. And, likely scratched or damaged components that weren't really intended to be disassembled in the first place. You really only want to dive into this one time.

It takes some time to carefully remove a radio without scratching/destorying the surrounding elements. Do as much planning and research as you can ahead of time - and have everything you need to complete the job once, and you'll be happy.

It'll definately sound A LOT better in the end. Also, if you plan to add anything (amps, new inputs, etc.) in the future, make those connections and run the wires while you have the dash apart. Diving back into a previous install plainly sucks.

Good luck,

crybdr

[jussi]

Thanks for the advice guys. I forgot to mention I have a Ford Mustang. I'll take a look at Crutchfield and get the appropriate wiring harness. I've gotten some stuff from them before (non-car related). So the wiring harness is completely dependent on the car and not the receiver?

[Pappy]

So the wiring harness is completely dependent on the car and not the receiver?

yes. The plug will have loose wires marked for each function. (+ and - for each speaker, power, clock, ...) Keeps you from have to get a schematic for the car. If the wires coming out of the Alpine aren't marked you should be able to go to their website and get the information.

[JimD]

I believe the wiring is unique to both the receiver and the vehicle. You get a cable that has a plug for the receiver on one end and a plug for the car on the other. It could be that all alpine equipment has the same receiver end plug, however. Perhaps that's what Pappy meant.

I've done this the other way but if you don't have the wiring diagram, you have to figure out which wire does what. You can use a battery to bump the wires and find which are speakers (you get a thump from the speaker when you connect the battery (1.5V)). Power is bigger and usually red and black like you'd think but there is no guarantee. I always solder connections rather than use crimp connectors - I think it is less likely to come apart later. But if you hack into the wiring to connect this way and want to go back, it is possible, I leave the connector and just strip a short length of the wire to connect, but you leave a mess. Not visible unless they take the radio out but still.... By far easiest is just to get the connecting cable and some instructions from Crutchfields.

Jim

[JSUPreston]

I've done several stereo swaps over the years. You'll be much happier in the long run getting the wiring harness adapter. A local store may have it so that you can get it quicker. installdr.com may have the dash instructions for your specific car.

Please get the adapter. I bought a truck years ago that the original wiring harness had been hacked on. Took quite a bit of work to get it back right, and they did the strip and tap method. If they had actually cut off the original connector, I would have gone to the salvage yard to get one.