[pnj]

so I got a cd player and I need to install it...

the wires in my car were cut by the previous owner so I don't have a simple plug to plug my stereo into. I do have an adapter but some of the wire colors don't match...

I have the wires for the battery, ignition and one other thing (i forget right now) that match the wires on my car/adapter and then I'm left with about nine other wires. there should be two for the left front/right front speakers and then I have no idea what the other wires are for.

the problem is, the wires colors from the front speakers don't even match the wire colors coming out of the dash....

suggestions?

 

[ALEXIS_DH]

a multimeter and a lot of patience.

 

[pnj]

I have a multimeter.

I don't really know how to use it though. I touch one end of one wire to the leads on the meter, then touch other wires with the other lead and see if I get juice or something?

*goes off to find multimeter.....

 

[ALEXIS_DH]

there must be an option to test for continuity. usually a sign that looks like this ((o)). there are usually 3 plugs for the leads in a multimeter. one is ground, two is voltage/resistance and thre is current. be sure to have one lead connected to the ground and the other to the voltage/resistance.

the multimeter will make noise if the 2 wires are connected to a single cable. that way you can put one lead on, say, the speakers poles and then you try the other lead into the 9 cables you have to see which one it is.

 

[cannondalejunky]

i'm guessing by adapter you mean wiring harness(sp) use the diagrams on the package for the harness and the wireing diagram for the car to connect the correct wires...some times the colors wont exactly match up...depending on what the wireing for you car is set up for you may also have extra wires in there...make sure you just cap those up too

 

[davep]

Your speaker cables are in sets (2 per speaker so you have atleast 4, maybe 8) they are usually collored like green and green with a red stripe, with the red stripe signifying the pos connection. You can find the speaker pair as they will have most likely an 8ohm resistance (check that back of the speaker, could be 4 ohm)

neutral wire gives zero volts to ground and near zero ohms to ground (expose metal in car)

pos wire is 12 (ish) volts to ground always

switch wire has voltage only when ignition is on

If you have an auto antenae, or anything else that turns on and off with the radio, there will be a wire for that.

you could also have a wire to adjust the face lighting of the sterio. would be a variable voltage wire that changes as you adj your interior light level/turn lights on/off

maybe a built in amp??

that is all i can think of now...

 

[Wumpus]

I just go to the dealer and get them to make me a copy of the wiring diagram.

OR

http://www.mobileinformationlabs.com/1WiringCodes$12.95.htm

 

[dfinn]

If you can find the pairs of wires as mentioned above but aren't sure which pair goes to what speaker in the vehicle I have used a 9 volt battery before. Strip off the ends of the wires, touch them to the terminals on the battery and you'll hear some static come out of a speaker.

 

[pnj]

I couldn't find my multimeter. it's been years since I've seen it so maybe it was loaned to someone.. (it's actually my wifes, or I'd know exactly where it is)

I ended up going to a buddy's house who's a stereophile and he hooked me up right.