How to Install an Amplifier in a 2005 Nissan Altima
The 2005 Nissan Altima comes with a variety of options for factory installed stereo systems: You can choose from a single disc in-dash CD player, a muti-disc CD changer or a DVD/navigation system with touchscreen controls. Car audio enthusiasts may want to augment their stock stereo with a subwoofer or aftermarket amplifier. Installing an amplifier will boost the signal from the stereo head unit, making the system more powerful and the content clearer. You can easily purchase an amplifier wiring kit and install the amplifier yourself.
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Things You'll Need
- 10-mm wrench
- Amplifier wiring kit
- Phillips screwdriver
- Wiring harness adapter
- Patch cables
- Trim panel removal tool
- Amplifier
Instructions
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1
Raise the hood of the Altima by pulling the hood release lever, located under the driver's side dashboard. Move to the engine compartment.
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2
Loosen both of the battery cables' clamps from the battery terminals with a 10-mm wrench. Remove the negative battery cable (black) first from the battery, and rest it away from the terminals; next, remove the positive battery cable (red) from the positive battery terminal.
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3
Place the ring terminal lead (from the amplifier wiring kit) onto the positive battery lead post. Replace the positive battery cable clamp over the ring terminal, on top of the ring terminal. Tighten the positive battery cable's clamp to the post with the wrench.
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4
Connect the power cable from the amplifier wiring kit to the ring terminal input. Remove the fuse from the fuse holder on the ring terminal, located near the point at which the ring terminal connects to the battery.
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5
Feed the power cable onto the passenger cabin of the Nissan, through the firewall. Use the path already established for wiring into the cabin or create a new opening with a drill and 14-mm drill bit. If you create a new hole, place a rubber grommet into the opening to protect the power cable. Return to the inside of the Altima.
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6
Remove the dash panel that surrounds the climate control knobs by pulling it from the dashboard by hand. Remove the four screws behind the panel with a Phillips screwdriver.
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7
Grab the dash panel that surrounds the stereo assembly and pull it away from the dashboard. Remove the four screws around the stereo with the screwdriver.
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8
Slide the stereo from the stereo dock and disconnect the stereo wiring connectors plugged into the outlets on the rear panel of the unit.
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9
Connect the Nissan stereo wiring connectors to the leads of the wiring harness adapter. Plug the wiring harness adapter connectors into the corresponding outlets on the back of the stereo.
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10
Plug the patch cables into the appropriate leads of the wiring harness adapter. See the adapter manual for the exact connection location for the amplifier's cabling.
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11
Feed the patch cables through the back of the stereo dock and down to the floor of the Altima.
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12
Slide the stereo back into the stereo mounting dock and screw in the four screws around the perimeter of the dock with the screwdriver.
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13
Place the trim panel over the stereo assembly and press firmly around the edges to snap it back into place.
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14
Replace the screws around the climate control panel. Place the dash panel around the climate control knobs and press against it to snap it back into the Nissan's dashboard.
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15
Route the patch cables from the floor of the vehicle on the passenger's side to the rear cargo area of the Altima (the trunk). Use a trim panel removal tool to separate the carpeting from the floor of the car enough to conceal the cables as they travel to the back of the vehicle.
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16
Route the power supply cable to the trunk on the driver's side of the Altima. Use the trim panel tool to conceal the cable beneath the carpeting.
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17
Place the amplifier in the trunk of the Altima, near the back of the rear seats. Connect the patch cables and power supply cable to the unit. The exact location of the inputs vary. Power and signal inputs are commonly on opposite sides of the amplifier.
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18
Insert the grounding wire from the amplifier wiring kit into the grounding input on the amplifier (commonly found very near to the power input). Connect the grounding wire to a screw or bolt near the amp (no farther than 18 inches away). Any screw or bolt that is directly connected to the Nissan's frame will serve as an adequate ground. Return to the engine compartment.
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19
Replace the negative battery cable onto the negative battery terminal lead post. Tighten the cable's clamp to the post with the wrench. Do the same for the positive battery cable.
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20
Place the fuse back into the ring terminal's fuse holder. Close the Altima's hood.
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1
References
- Photo Credit John Foxx/Stockbyte/Getty Images
