How to Install a Car Stereo Without a Wiring Harness?
Have you ever wondered how to install a car stereo without a wiring harness? Today, in this article, you are going to know it. Installing a car stereo without a wiring harness is a straightforward process if you have all the needy tools.
Suppose the wires of your stereo system are harnessed. In that case, they are protected from humidity, vibrations, dampness, and scrapings to some extent, but what you should need to do when it’s time to install a car stereo without a wiring harness? What is the purpose of each wire? Do the colors have any concerns?
Here in this article, I’ll share some knowledge about how to install a car stereo without a wiring harness. I’ll also list those tools which will be handy in this process.
Seek Proper Research
Obviously, before starting any job, first, you need to know about it. So, you must do some research on the type of your stereo system. You should be fully aware of what you are dealing with.
Tools you Need for Wiring
I hope you will already have the tools, which I’ll mention below.
● A small bundle of zipping ties
Knowing about the Wires
Before installing a car stereo without a harness, you have to be fully aware of the functions of different colored wires. The harness adapter has different colors of wires, and each color possesses various functions.
So before starting the installation, you should know the purpose of each wire. The connections you need to make are speaker wires, power wire, accessory wire, ground wire, and amplifier turn on or power antenna lead.
Involvement of Power Wires
Power wires are responsible for powering up your car stereo system. They are in red, black and yellow color. The red wire is important as it plays the function of turning your radio on and off.
The black wire is responsible for the working of your stereo or radio. It is also known as the ground cable. The yellow wire assists the battery in remaining stable, and it contains constant power.
Involvement of Antenna
In this case, you will see a blue wire responsible for controlling the signal and power antenna of your radio. There are two kinds of wires, a plain blue and blue with white stripes.
The blue wire is responsible for FM and AM frequencies. On the other hand, the blue wire with white stripes is responsible for both frequencies with CDs, Bluetooth, and media on your audio system.
The concern of Brightness with How to Install a Car Stereo Without a Wiring Harness
You will see two wires/cables of orange color in your stereo. These are used for brightness purposes. One increases the brightness, and the other helps lower the brightness.
However, you may not grind these wires depending on your car because some older cars don’t have these. You should check it before purchasing.
Involvement of Speaker Wires
The final bundle of cables is for the speakers of your stereo system. These come in pairs. That’s why It’s very convenient to find them. That one wire with stripes is negative, and the one without stripes is positive, respectively. Let me elaborate on the other wires!
1. The white wire is for the front left speakers
2. The gray wire is for the front right speakers
3. The green wire is for the rear left speakers
4. The purple wire is for the rear right speakers
Now, when you fully know the functions and purposes of all the wires. Let’s move on to the steps of how to install car radio without harness.
Step 1: Cut the Power
Along with every electrical thing, firstly you need to cut the power. You have to remove the key from the ignition or disconnect the battery. This will protect you from electrocution.
Step 2: Tearing off the Wire Insulation:
It is important to tear off the site insulation. If it’s not correct, then the chance of breaking it in anytime is higher. So, be careful to discard the insulation of each wire of your radio.
Step 3: Wiring
Very near to sum up my today’s topic is how to install a car stereo without a wiring harness. Once you have separated the insulation, you need to start wiring. Regarding this step, make sure of the type of your car. In this regard, there are two types of wiring.
The first type possesses the same wires as the radio desk. Also, the car comes with a bundle of wires without a harness. If this is the case with you, then it’s very easy to connect the wire color to the color.
As discussed before, each wire possesses a different purpose. When you start wiring your harness, I recommend you to solder and heat shrink. You will earn an adequate connection of your harness wires by doing this.
The second type contains a single wire having two heads; one is positive, and the other is negative. Here, you don’t have to look for the same color, but you will match them in pairs. Match the yellow wire with the red wire. The black wire will be matched with the blue wire. When you’re done matching all the cables, match the positive wire with the negative wire.
Check if it Works
Time to check if the process discussed above on how to install a car stereo without a wiring harness works or not. Connect the stereo harness to your stereo or double-din he’d unit and check if it works.
Play music and test all the workers. Once you are satisfied that everything is working correctly, shut down your car again and set everything back together likewise.
Conclusion
Curtly, it is rightly discussed by me how to install a car stereo without wiring a harness by a direct connection of the wires with the radio.
I hope this article helps you understand the process of wiring a car stereo without a harness.
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