With just a few steps and simple instructions, the driver at home can properly connect the new stereo headset to enjoy clear sound while driving. Before you connect the car radio, you need to familiarize yourself with its capabilities. Modern car stereo systems allow you to connect, control and play music from a large number of devices, including USB, iPhone and Android.
Standard car radio connection
Installing a new car radio is not a difficult task. Before connecting the car radio, you need to make sure that all connections match the 1-DIN or 2-DIN form factor. If this is not the case, you need to find a suitable adapter.
Installation sequence:
- Insert the new mounting frame. This is necessary because new versions of the car radio are usually incompatible with older cases.
- Bendmetal tabs so that the frame is firmly fixed in the vehicle. This is important, especially for the future, so that later no one can pull the radio out of the car.
- Now you need to connect the unit to turn on the car radio, then carefully insert the cables back into the compartment and put the radio back in place. You should not install it to the end, as at this stage you need to do a small performance test.
- Connect the control panel of the new audio system and turn on the radio.
- If everything works fine, you can completely reinstall it.
- If this is not the case, the connection may be wrong, you need to reconnect the cables and check everything again.
Connecting a stereo system
The stereo system is always sold with the connection diagram shown in the user manual. Before connecting the car radio in the car, you need to study the color charts to confirm the colors of the wired stereo that will connect to the adapter harness. If there is no dedicated wire for the car, then you will need to identify each of the car's cables and connect them to the appropriate wires on your new stereo.
You can connect the speaker wires to the terminals in different ways depending on the number of speakers and the connection scheme (parallel or series). If a capacitor is needed in the circuit, then it is connected between the battery and the amplifier. Next, you need to follow the diagram attached to the capacitor, while the wiring will vary depending on the number of capacitors that need to beconnect.
Amp switching circuit
Before you properly connect the car radio, you need to select a circuit. If it has a remote wire, it basically controls the system when the amplifier is turned on. If an audio system is used with a remote wired output on the wiring harness, it must be connected using an adapter, which can be purchased from the radio store. You can also set up the switch, find a 12-way connection, like the one already on the amp, and connect the wire to the switch and the switch to the remote jack on the amp.
If the user has a modern audio system, then it has an RCA output. In this case, you just need to connect the RCA cable from the amplifier to its output on the back of the system. If there is no RCA output, you need to buy a line converter, connect it to your existing speakers, and an RCA cable to it.
Wiring options
After the system wiring diagram is assembled and tested for operability, you need to fix the bare wires. There are several ways to do this:
- Soldering is a permanent professional connection that ensures maximum current transfer. Complete with soldering, a heat shrink tube and a heat gun are used to isolate the solder joint. This is the safest and highest quality wiring connection.
- Special connectors provide quick and secure wiring and are reusable. It will not be superfluous to have a pair of Posi-Tap connectors underhand for various tasks. It's the car enthusiast's favorite way to quickly make strong connections.
- There are several types of crimp connectors, including butt connectors or crimp caps.
It is best to connect all the wires for your stereo through the wiring harness, but if you want to connect direct power, you need to know the difference between "switched" and "constant" power. To switch source power after ignition with the key, the main (switched) stereo power cable (usually red wire) is connected to the switched power source in order to turn on the receiver when the car is turned off and not drain the car battery.
For a constant power source, the stereo memory cable, usually the yellow wire, is connected to a constant power source so as not to lose the system preset when the car is turned off. Sometimes high-powered stereos require constant power to be connected to the vehicle's positive battery terminal.
Before you connect the car radio to the 12V mains, you need to choose a heavier power wire, a built-in fuse (usually included) and a ring contact to connect the power wire to the battery clamp.
To do this, you will need to run a power wire to the battery, through the car's firewall to the engine compartment to establish a connection with the battery. Car stereos have eight wires for traditional 4 speaker system - positive wire and negative for front left, front right,rear left and rear right speakers. Depending on the vehicle's wiring configuration and harness adapter, some may not be used.
Audio grounding
Before you connect the car radio, you must first check the grounding well. It is essential for the correct operation of the stereo system. If the car enthusiast does not use a special wiring harness, you need to look for an unpainted bolt or screw that is in contact with the protected metal of the car's chassis.
To connect the ground, you will need to loosen the bolt, run the ground wire under it (this is almost always the black wire), then tighten the bolt. If the ground wire is not touching bare metal, the stereo will not work. Loose or weak grounds can cause signal noise to interfere with music.
If your system has a built-in video monitor, you will need to connect a wire to the emergency brake system. This wire serves as a switch to turn on the video monitor when the parking brake is applied. It may be in different locations depending on the brake configuration. It is often located at the base of the parking brake handle on many vehicles. You usually have to remove the center console to get to it. It's not too difficult, just take your time.
Hiding wiring in the cabin
The finest and most prestigious car audio installations have completely hidden wiring. Therefore, when installing circuitsconnections, you need to remove or hide all unnecessary, visible wires and distribution blocks. Even if this requires removing the seats, raising the mats, it is advisable to run the wiring through the side panels. Installation order:
- Remove sidebars.
- Remove part of the dashboard, as far as it will be convenient to work.
- Run the RCA and Power cables on opposite sides of the car, this will help prevent them from breaking.
- Run cables under the carpet, not over it. If the cables need to be visible, you can cover them with plastic wire wrap from an auto shop, most commonly in red, blue, and black.
- Connect all trims, but leave the ends of the speaker wire needed to connect speaker outputs.
- After the wires are in place, you need to connect them to the speakers.
Dashboard stereo installation
To do this, you will need to have a mounting kit and follow the instructions that came with the kit. Attach the mounting kit to your new stereo system first, then secure both to the panel with screws. If the car has an upgraded sound system or an integrated stereo climate control panel, you will likely need a special adapter to connect to the factory system.
The adapter allows you to use your new stereo system with your existing speaker system. This integration package allows you to keep the factory LCD screen and touch climate control. As soon as the hole in the panel is ready, you need to connect the adapterstereo wiring to vehicle wiring harness and antenna cable.
Depending on the stereo you choose, you will also need to connect various devices to the back of the stereo, such as a microphone, Bluetooth, USB cable, steering wheel control interface, or auxiliary input cable. Before connecting USB to the car radio, you need to make sure that the headunit already has a USB port and is capable of playing digital music files through it.
If the car does not have this capability? the easiest option is to use an FM transmitter that includes both a USB port and the appropriate hardware to read and play music files.
Connecting amplifiers to the system
First you need to disconnect the negative cable from the battery. If there are serious subwoofers in the circuit, then a capacitor may be needed to compensate for them during heavy hits. Place the amplifiers in the following locations:
- back of subwoofer cabinet;
- under driver/passenger seat;
- behind the control panel (smaller amps);
- under the trunk near the spare tire.
Need to remember, if the amplifier is in a limited space, you need a fan, small computer fans work well in this case. The connection must be started by feeding the positive wire from inside the car into the engine compartment, to do this, find the rubber hole in which the other wires are placed.
After putting power into the engine bay, attach it to the fuse box, then attach the other block of positive wire to the fuse box and clamp the other end and the crimped end to the battery. The negative wire can be attached to any metal on the frame of the car, and then connect the power to the car radio.
Checking system performance
Insert the stereo into the hole in the dashboard, but don't screw it in yet. Test your stereo first to make sure everything is working properly. It's easier to fix the problem while things remain open.
This will require a battery cable to be connected to test the stereo, so if all airbag warning plugs have been disconnected, be sure to reconnect them before reconnecting the battery. Turn on the power and try each source (AM, FM, CD, USB, etc.).
Before connecting the USB to the car radio, you need to determine the type of file system that your headunit can read, and then select the correct drive to format.
Then you need to adjust the balance and fader setting to check the performance of each speaker. As soon as the user is convinced that the stereo is connected and working correctly, he needs to fix the car radio in the dashboard and reinstall all previously removed devices.
Modern car radio pioneer
Before you connect the car radio "Pioneer", you need to study the technical documentation of the device. Although modern "Pioneers"have almost all the innovations, such as controlling iPod and other compatible smartphones directly to play music and more.
You can also connect many other sources to the USB input or front AUX input. In addition to popular audio formats, they also support high-resolution FLAC files for the highest quality music enjoyment.
You can also pop in a CD, stream music from your Bluetooth phone or watch your favorite shows with the built-in DAB+ digital radio amplifier and powerful 4 x 50W MOSFET amplifier in crystal clear quality. If the user wants even more power, all they need to do is connect additional amplifiers for loudspeakers or subwoofers to the 3 RCA outputs.
Connection car radio "Pioneer"
Wiring the new stereo head is easy, home users can properly connect the new Pioneer stereo headset to enjoy clear sound while on the move. Materials Needed: Socket wrench, screwdriver, crimping tool, vehicle-specific tool kit materials.
Car schematics are needed to identify the hardware in which the stereo head is installed. It is important that users first disconnect the negative battery terminal before doing any work on the vehicle's electrical system. They canidentify the negative terminal with the black cap and remove it with the master socket wrench.
It is very important not to work on the electrical components of any vehicle with the vehicle's ignition on or battery connected. Installing a new radio begins by laying out two wire harnesses that connect to a crimp connector. Although the layout and number of connectors may vary depending on the car model and Pioneer stereo head, the 12-pin wiring harness is one of the most common.
| Pin | Color | Function |
| 1 | green/black | left backside |
| 2 | purple /black | right rear base |
| 3 | blue | power antennas |
| 4 | black | earth |
| 5 | grey /black | right front platform |
| 6 | white/black | left front platform |
| 7 | green | left rear |
| 8 | purple | right rear |
| 9 | red | accessory / ignition |
| 10 | yellow | battery + 12 |
| 11 | grey | right front |
| 12 | white | left front |
Next steps:
- Find two crimp connectors that connect to the harnesses on the back of the device. Remove the pre-cleaned insulation from the beginning of the bundles and the strands of each wire in the bundle, scrolling slightly to a tight point to make it easier to connect.
- Once the wires are properly oriented and the strands are twisted, they must be inserted into the crimp connectors that go into the speakers.
- After connecting the speakers, connect the new radio to the antenna output. Once all wiring is complete, the unit should slide easily onto the chassis of the new stereo system.
- When the new stereo is put into place in the cage, the chassis and cage should click together to indicate the stereo is locked.
- The entire assembly must then be inserted into place in the vehicle panel, with the mounting screws inserted to hold the assembly in place.
- Before you connect the car radio, you need to connect the battery.
- Once the stereo is fixed, the next step is to reconnect the car battery and then test the new system by adjusting and balancing to make sure all the speakersreact correctly.
- If everything works correctly, reinstall the frame.
Connect your phone to the system
Before you connect your phone to your car radio, you need to determine if it has Bluetooth capabilities.
The easiest way is to connect your iPhone to your car radio via Bluetooth. The prerequisite for this method is that the car audio system supports a Bluetooth connection. Setting sequence:
- You need to activate Bluetooth on your device.
- Open settings on iPhone and press Bluetooth.
- Follow the instructions on the radio and iPhone display to connect the devices.
- After that, the music from the iPhone will automatically play through the car speakers.
If your radio does not support Bluetooth but has a 3.5mm jack port, you can connect your iPhone as follows:
- Connect one end of the cable to the iPhone and the other end to the radio.
- Select the jack cable as the input source on the radio, and you can enjoy iPhone music through the car speakers.
- Playback via the connector is particularly reliable and at the same time provides high sound quality. Plus, it doesn't require an extra battery.
How to connect the car radio to 220 V?
Few users know that the car system can be connected to AC power for home use.using the computer's power supply. To do this, you will need to follow these steps to safely connect your car stereo to your home power source:
- Turn off the power from the computer's power supply.
- Depending on the model of the power supply, there may be different color wires. Usually they are black, blue, yellow, orange, red and green.
- Try to disconnect the blue-orange, red and green.
- Twist all the yellow cords together, now follow the same procedure for the black wires.
- Before you connect the car radio at home, you need to connect the yellow wires to the yellow wire of the PSU, and the black wire to the black wire to the PSU.
- Turn on the power supply at the outlet.
When installing a car radio, make sure the cables are properly connected before turning it on so that there is no break in the cable. Especially if the mounting frame doesn't fit perfectly and you have to push the car radio with more force. In addition, you need to make sure that the plus and minus connectors are not confused. In most cases, the positive pole is red and the negative pole is black, brown, or blue.
If the user was careful and used the recommendations of the equipment manufacturer, then the installation of the car audio device was successful.
