CD Changer Install
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 160
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From: LINCOLN NEBRASKA
CD Changer Install
I know this has been posted several times, but I am not finding much when doing a search in the forums. Looking for the detailed instructions for installing the CD changer. I plan to do the install this weekend and have a good idea about what I need to do, but I would like to read the installation instructions again if anyone has them. Thanks. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,426
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From: West Barnstable MA
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 226
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From: Bloomington IL
I cannot find the link but have this saves, hope Tom doesn't care if I post it, It has really helped me.
How to install factory CD Changer if 3 wire plug is missing. -- 1 of 1
Date Published: 2001-12-01
Submitter's Name: Tom Branella
Email Address: Tbranella@home.com
Corvetteforum.com Member Alias: RPOZ4Z
T his information came from Alan Barbic (California Quicksilver) I also went through the same frustration in the "great search" for the elusive three wired connector. You are not delusional.. It was not in my 98 vert either. I went over the wiring diagrams in the factory service manuals and was able to establish the role our elusive three wires play in the equation. I resolved the problem by thinking a bit out of the box (see how below) and now have a flawless trouble free install. To start clip the three wire plug off the new CD wire harness (you will play hell trying to find its mate anywhere so you might as well get rid of them) and install male bullet type connectors on each of the three wires. Now prepare three sections of wire (14-16 guage) at about 8 inches each and crimp and/or solder the appropriate female connectors needed to go with the newly attached males on the CD harness. Now we go looking for the connection points for the three newly made sections of 8 inch wire. All of these will be found in or close to the big "wad" of wires in the R/H upper portion of your second photo seen at; http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/rpoz4z//mvc-011s.jpg You will need a meter preferably one that has a squawk feature when doing continuity checks and sharp probes that allow penetration through wire insulation. Three wire Signal CD/Radio connection 1)SW +12 out C1(8) DK GRN, Radio "ON" signal 2)Power C1(10) ORG (always hot ??) 3)ground C1(5) BLK/WHT Starting with the easiest 3)ground = BLK/WHT You will find this one every where and any one will work just test continuity from wire to chasis ground and solder one of the 8 inchers to it. Next is 2) ORG = hot (I am fairly sure it is always hot) This one is in that "wad" of wires above the fuse panel in the photo. Current test by putting one lead to chasis ground and probing the other lead to the same color orange as the CD harness orange untill you get 12+/- volts (note:the radio fuse is also part of this wire so you can test from there however the test then turns into a continuity test first and then a 12 volt circuit test after you have identified you orange in the "wad" ) then solder up that one. The last one is a lot more of a challenge 1) Radio signal = DRK/GRN There are several shades of green so again use the CD wire harness as a color guide in the search. This color seems to be used as a communication link for several componants in the system so you will see this color wire used a lot in that "wad" of wires but only one or two of them are the ones you need. The way to find the wires in question is to pull the fuse panel and remove the box from the firewall (don't disconnect any wires). In the back of the box about midway are two of the dark green wires that are together put a probe on one of them and do a continuity search at the "wad" for it. When you find it strip a bit if the insulation away and connect the last 8 incher to it (DON'T SOLDER YET) now actually connect up all three wires and fire everything up with CD's in the 12 disk cartridge. If it is not working (the unit will take and shuffle the CD's but no music) then you tapped into the wrong Dark Green wire so keep tapping untill you found the one that enables the system and then solder it up. All should now work as intended so go ahead and finish up the install. Now all there is to do is enjoy.
How to install factory CD Changer if 3 wire plug is missing. -- 1 of 1
Date Published: 2001-12-01
Submitter's Name: Tom Branella
Email Address: Tbranella@home.com
Corvetteforum.com Member Alias: RPOZ4Z
T his information came from Alan Barbic (California Quicksilver) I also went through the same frustration in the "great search" for the elusive three wired connector. You are not delusional.. It was not in my 98 vert either. I went over the wiring diagrams in the factory service manuals and was able to establish the role our elusive three wires play in the equation. I resolved the problem by thinking a bit out of the box (see how below) and now have a flawless trouble free install. To start clip the three wire plug off the new CD wire harness (you will play hell trying to find its mate anywhere so you might as well get rid of them) and install male bullet type connectors on each of the three wires. Now prepare three sections of wire (14-16 guage) at about 8 inches each and crimp and/or solder the appropriate female connectors needed to go with the newly attached males on the CD harness. Now we go looking for the connection points for the three newly made sections of 8 inch wire. All of these will be found in or close to the big "wad" of wires in the R/H upper portion of your second photo seen at; http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/rpoz4z//mvc-011s.jpg You will need a meter preferably one that has a squawk feature when doing continuity checks and sharp probes that allow penetration through wire insulation. Three wire Signal CD/Radio connection 1)SW +12 out C1(8) DK GRN, Radio "ON" signal 2)Power C1(10) ORG (always hot ??) 3)ground C1(5) BLK/WHT Starting with the easiest 3)ground = BLK/WHT You will find this one every where and any one will work just test continuity from wire to chasis ground and solder one of the 8 inchers to it. Next is 2) ORG = hot (I am fairly sure it is always hot) This one is in that "wad" of wires above the fuse panel in the photo. Current test by putting one lead to chasis ground and probing the other lead to the same color orange as the CD harness orange untill you get 12+/- volts (note:the radio fuse is also part of this wire so you can test from there however the test then turns into a continuity test first and then a 12 volt circuit test after you have identified you orange in the "wad" ) then solder up that one. The last one is a lot more of a challenge 1) Radio signal = DRK/GRN There are several shades of green so again use the CD wire harness as a color guide in the search. This color seems to be used as a communication link for several componants in the system so you will see this color wire used a lot in that "wad" of wires but only one or two of them are the ones you need. The way to find the wires in question is to pull the fuse panel and remove the box from the firewall (don't disconnect any wires). In the back of the box about midway are two of the dark green wires that are together put a probe on one of them and do a continuity search at the "wad" for it. When you find it strip a bit if the insulation away and connect the last 8 incher to it (DON'T SOLDER YET) now actually connect up all three wires and fire everything up with CD's in the 12 disk cartridge. If it is not working (the unit will take and shuffle the CD's but no music) then you tapped into the wrong Dark Green wire so keep tapping untill you found the one that enables the system and then solder it up. All should now work as intended so go ahead and finish up the install. Now all there is to do is enjoy.
