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Currently in the midst of installing new stereo/speakers in my C4. I took out the rear speakers/amps and ran into an issue. I can’t hook the new speakers to the factory wires without the amps!
(This harness used to attach to the amp)
I didn’t realize that by taking out the amps, I was taking out my connections to the speakers as well.
(Here’s the amp after it was removed. Showing the wires that connected it. It’s buried in the fuzz!)
So now I have the issue of how to connect the harness to new speakers... anyone able to recommend a website/product? Some kind of adapter? Or, if need be, how should I splice those wires to the new speakers? The speakers are 6.5” JBL GX628 so they’re pretty standard.
I’m going to assume the situation is the same up front. (Haven’t taken off door panels yet)
Thanks guys
Last edited by FAXITTOME; Mar 23, 2021 at 07:37 PM.
Currently in the midst of installing new stereo/speakers in my C4. I took out the rear speakers/amps and ran into an issue. I can’t hook the new speakers to the factory wires without the amps!
(This harness used to attach to the amp)
I didn’t realize that by taking out the amps, I was taking out my connections to the speakers as well.
(Here’s the amp after it was removed. Showing the wires that connected it. It’s buried in the fuzz!)
So now I have the issue of how to connect the harness to new speakers... anyone able to recommend a website/product? Some kind of adapter? Or, if need be, how should I splice those wires to the new speakers? The speakers are 6.5” JBL GX628 so they’re pretty standard.
I’m going to assume the situation is the same up front. (Haven’t taken off door panels yet)
Thanks guys
I decided to remove as much of the bose wiring as I could and run all new speaker wire. Most consider the bose speaker wiring to be subpar for a modern amplifed system. The C4 is pretty easy to run new wire in, even the doors are pretty easy to feed new wire through, you just use the old bose wiring to pull the new stuff through.
If you want to just stick with the factory wire then all you need to do is cut the connectors off the factory harness. The pink and black wires are power and ground for the bose amps so just cap and stow those. The other two are your speaker wires, just pick up a speaker terminal kit and crimper and you can crimp on new ends to hook up to your speakers.
What I did IIRC is before the harness you are holding backtrack and the original harness plugs in that is where I cut and spliced to my new speakers. In the front doors I was able to reach up and find the connector before the amp and hook my front up also.
The original colors will be found. Here is a chart I saved.
I would just run new wires from the radio. As previously stated it is not that difficult, but I would leave the original wiring intact just in case a future owner wants to return the car to factory stock.
I decided to remove as much of the bose wiring as I could and run all new speaker wire. Most consider the bose speaker wiring to be subpar for a modern amplifed system. The C4 is pretty easy to run new wire in, even the doors are pretty easy to feed new wire through, you just use the old bose wiring to pull the new stuff through.
If you want to just stick with the factory wire then all you need to do is cut the connectors off the factory harness. The pink and black wires are power and ground for the bose amps so just cap and stow those. The other two are your speaker wires, just pick up a speaker terminal kit and crimper and you can crimp on new ends to hook up to your speakers.
So when you say use the old wiring to pull it through, you mean to disconnect the wiring, attach the new wire to the disconnected end, and pull it through? Is that how you did it? Also, if I were to go with the splicing method, which wire is the "bigger" end out of the two used for the speakers?
So when you say use the old wiring to pull it through, you mean to disconnect the wiring, attach the new wire to the disconnected end, and pull it through? Is that how you did it? Also, if I were to go with the splicing method, which wire is the "bigger" end out of the two used for the speakers?
I used a "chicken foot" pick up tool to push the wire through from the door side into the car, it was much easier than going the other direction. As far as the rear speakers go, IIRC I just ran the wire under the console then under the carpet. I do have a convertible, so a coupe may be slightly different.
1985 Speaker Wiring Harness
