Stereo Wires
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,841
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From: Inver Grove Minnesota
Stereo Wires
What are the functions of the various colored wires in the taped up bundle ? I would assume there is a power antenna, and a ignition source. Just need some clarification of the uses before I hook up the new deck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
Without physically looking at unit, I would say generically, you have the power lead going to a switched source, a power lead for the memory circuit to a full time hot source, a lead for a power antenna for automatic up/down with the radio being turned on, a ground wire and leads for front and rear speaker pairs. A fusible link should also be installed in the power lead if there's not a fuse installed in the rear of the stereo as some makes do.
Doesn't the stereo have a installation and user's manual? If not, get on the manufacturer's web site and see if you can download a manual for that model.
Doesn't the stereo have a installation and user's manual? If not, get on the manufacturer's web site and see if you can download a manual for that model.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 0
From: Inver Grove Minnesota
I know what wires the stereo has do.. I was just wondering that the wires that are already in the car do. The colors obviously don't match up since it has a 30 year difference on the radio. 
Looking at it there are some wires taped up together and one that is spliced into the cigarette lighter wire.
Looking at it there are some wires taped up together and one that is spliced into the cigarette lighter wire.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 0
From: Inver Grove Minnesota
Alright I got it figured out, thanks. 
I used the yellow wire that runs back the rear of the console along side the orange wire for the power antenna. I ran a new switched ign from the fuse block and a new positive line from the battery. I tested it all before I finalized everything and it turns on and works the antenna comes up too. Now I just need to make new mounting plates for the rear speakers and this little big project will be complete.
I used the yellow wire that runs back the rear of the console along side the orange wire for the power antenna. I ran a new switched ign from the fuse block and a new positive line from the battery. I tested it all before I finalized everything and it turns on and works the antenna comes up too. Now I just need to make new mounting plates for the rear speakers and this little big project will be complete.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
That sounds like it would work, just be sure to fuse the wire from the batt. Watch your grounds, good solid and shinny! the yellow was use as the single power wire to the radio, this was before elec presets, obiously, so there was no need for constant power. the blk was the gnd and grey was the light. the blk makes a good gnd for a head unit.
Actually , on thinking about this i relize that if your upgrading to an after markrt unit, the BLUE wire is for a power antenna AND to controll an amp, if you have one. the Blue wire- from the new head unit- will hide your power antenna when you turn your stereo off, for car washes and such, you Tee it off to the antenna and to the control wire of a power amp/amps, so they turn off too, when the head unit is off.
Actually , on thinking about this i relize that if your upgrading to an after markrt unit, the BLUE wire is for a power antenna AND to controll an amp, if you have one. the Blue wire- from the new head unit- will hide your power antenna when you turn your stereo off, for car washes and such, you Tee it off to the antenna and to the control wire of a power amp/amps, so they turn off too, when the head unit is off.
Last edited by RunningMan373; May 15, 2008 at 05:46 AM.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 0
From: Inver Grove Minnesota