Prepare for the Job
Step1
Purchase a new stereo. Make sure to get one that will fit properly into the slot for your old one. Additionally, when buying a new car stereo you may be able to get a wiring harness that is specific to both your car's make and model AND the new stereo. Buy one of these if you can because it will make the wiring a snap, literally!
Step2
Collect these tools and materials: screwdrivers, wire strippers, wire cutters and electrical tape.
Step3
You will also need a guide to removing the dash panel of your car that shows how to properly remove your old radio.
Removing the Old Stereo
Step1
Disconnect the ground (negative) cable from your battery. NEVER work on the electrical system of your car with this connected.
Step2
Remove the dash panel that covers your stereo. Unscrew and slide out your old head unit. There will either be one single plug with lots of wires that connects to the back of it or a bunch of individual wires. If there are a bunch of single wires going into the back of the stereo do not detach them yet since you will want to do them one at a time to avoid confusion.
Step3
Plug the connector into your new wiring harness, if your were able to get a wiring harness for your car. This will then plug right into the back of your new stereo. If you did this you can skip the next section.
Connecting the Wiring Manually
Step1
Connect each wire yourself if your were unable to obtain a wiring harness to install your car stereo.
Step2
Connect the positive wire from each speaker to the positive connector on the back of the stereo first. Then connect the negative wire from each speaker to the negative connector on the back of the stereo. If there is only one wire coming from the speakers, the speakers are grounded at the chassis. In this case you will need to install new speaker wiring.
Step3
Connect the ground (-/black) wire of the stereo to a screw or bolt near where the radio is mounted in the dash. Make sure the wire is attached to metal, not plastic or fiberglass.
Step4
Connect the 12 constant and ignition power wires (both +/red) to the new stereo. Refer to your stereo's installation manual to make sure these go to the correct places.
Putting in the Car Stereo.
Step1
Now you should have a nice single connector that hooks to all the proper wires in your car--either from the wiring harness you purchased or the one that came with your stereo that you have now connected all the proper wires to.
Step2
Slide your new stereo into the mounting bracket that came with it. In some rare cases you may have to use the bracket from your old car stereo.
Step3
Plug the harness connector into the back of your new stereo. There should be only one lone wire left from your old stereo now. This is the antenna. Plug it into your new unit. There may also be a power antenna wire which you will need to connect.
Step4
Slide your new car stereo into the slot in the dash. Don't screw it in yet; you'll need to test it first.
Step5
Reconnect the negative cable of your car to the battery.
Step6
Turn your car on and power up your new stereo. Put some music on and listen to all your speakers to make sure everything works.
Step7
Screw your new car stereo into place and put the dash cover back on.
Comments
izalcabatista said
on 11/3/2007 this site is extraordinany ...Izaias..fromm Brasil..
Anonymous said
on 9/20/2006 Forget about the high priced stuff and go to your local building outlet and buy the pre-cut rolls of foil faced, self sticking snow seal in the 6" x 33' or 12" x 33' rolls. The difference is that you won't have the pretty writing on the foil face and heaps of money! The 12" roll will drain you about $35 and can do most car doors and still have some left for other areas such as the rear quarters and floor pan.
Anonymous said
on 3/7/2006 It's called Dynamat and it doesn't hold anything in place, it is a sound dampener. A fantastic one at that. You simply cut out the shapes you need and apply it. It is self-sticking. Or you can get specific pre-cut kits for installing it inside doors and trunks. You can usually find it at any retailer that sells decks and subs.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 If your given a stereo for your B-day from your boyfriend, be sure to get the security code for it too. I failed to do this before we broke up and since i had to unhook my truck battery (for engine repairs) i now own a fancy doorstop.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Every car should have two power wires that come from the car. You will have the power wire that stays on all the time (even if the car is off). You will find these wire with the light tester. The other power wire would be the ignition power wire. You'll find that one with the light tester by using it when the car is on. When you find the power wire, keep the light tester in the same spot then turn off the car. If the light then turns off - that is your ignition wire.