Three ways to connect your receiver's wiring harness
Be sure your connections are solid
The first step to installing a new car stereo is connecting the receiver's wiring harness to the adapter harness that will plug into your car. Making long-lasting connections is of the utmost importance. By using one of the methods illustrated below, you can be sure that your connections will last for years to come—and that your new in-dash receiver will work properly.
Method 1: Soldering
Soldering makes the most solid connection. Heat shrink tubing protects and insulates that connection. The task always starts with a wire stripper for removing insulation from the wire ends.
Method 2: Posi-Products connectors
Posi-Products™ connectors are easy to attach and stay firmly in place. This is our favorite method because of the quality of the connectors and the simplicity of the technique.
Method 3: Crimping
Crimping can create a reasonably solid connection. You'll need a crimping tool and crimp caps. The only potential drawback: if the caps aren't crimped tight enough, they can shake loose. Give them a good tug before you install that stereo!
Install it like a pro
Facing those two bunches of wires can be intimidating, especially if this is your first installation. But the task really isn't that hard if you take your time and make your connections with care, one wire at a time. Before you know it, you'll have your new stereo installed and ready to rock.
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Elle Mae from oregon
Posted on 6/22/2015I have a 1987 Chevy Winnebago Chieftain that im trying to install a Kenwood CD Receiver Model # KDKDC-X395. My wiring harness for the Winnibago are not the same colors As the stereo harness. Nor are they labeled. Please help. This was suppossed to be a surprise for my husband for guys weekend and now he's upset because his "HOMe" is all tore apart. So much for a surprise. Thanx
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daniel mourmouris from United States
Posted on 8/2/2015Just installed a pioneer avic8000nex in my 2015 Nissan frontier and the face keeps opening and won't shut. Any ideas?
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John from Newark, ohio
Posted on 8/17/2015Will a Sony CDs-ca710x fit my 1994 ranger pickup cult? If so how do I connect to my harness
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Joshua Vincent from Bowling green
Posted on 8/31/2015My Nissan sentra the plugs were cut when I bought the car so how can I hard wire my boss CD player in
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Trevonn Brown from forestpark
Posted on 9/7/2015I have a 96 tahoe 4wd 4 door. I purchased the car with the factory radio removed n the original wire harness cut. I need to know how to turn on my factory amp so my speakers will work. What color is the power to the factory amp?
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jhoads from Chanute
Posted on 11/10/2015I plan on getting a Kenwood DPX 501BT for my 2000 Ford F150...Just wanted to know if this harness would be compatible....?
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Trevor from Pfafftown
Posted on 11/18/2015I am looking to purchase an aftermarket stereo(from Crutchfield) for my 03' Grand Cherokee Laredo(without infinity sound system). I have aftermarket door speakers, as well as a Fosgate amp powering a single 10" MTX Jackhammer sub. Will this wiring harness match the wire colors in the factory harness? Also, will it power the apms remote(REM) wire that leads back to the receiver? Thanks for your time and patience with my newb questions!
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Trevor from Pfafftown
Posted on 11/19/2015Thank you, that was a great help! How would you suggest I wire my REM wire to the new head unit? I'm looking at the Sony CDX-GT570UP, and I see that it has a blue terminal on the back of it. Would that happen to be a REM terminal? Thank you again!
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Trevor from Pfafftown
Posted on 11/20/2015I greatly appreciate your help! I am more than satisfied with the service at Crutchfield. My new receiver will be delivered shortly :) thanks again!
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Robert Spradley from reading
Posted on 12/13/2015How do I connect the two adapters in my 98 passat, I already have the head unit wired, just need more info on how to connect the rest of harness in the dash.
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Dillon from Las Vegas
Posted on 12/30/2015I just watched the soldering video in preparation for my car audio receiver installation and was wondering what size soldering wire I should buy. Wire size was not mentioned in video method 1.
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Jerome Mahoney from Sellersville
Posted on 1/16/2016I have 1995 Mercedes Benz c class. I changed out the radio head w a JVC kD 320 Bts and speakers purchased at Crutchfield. After install, powered up, miswired message on display, no sound. Talked to ur rep Jason today and he said that I installed wrong wire connectors and I replaced them and soldered the speaker wires and shrink tubed. Still no sound.
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Rachel Bemis from Perryville
Posted on 12/6/2016I am looking to install my recently purchased head unit in my 2002 Hyundai Sonata. I am having a bit of trouble. My brother was smart and decided to cut the wires that connected to the stock head unit. What do I need to fix this? Would be amazing if someone could help me out. What kind of harness do I need?
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Antonio from St louis
Posted on 12/7/2016Could I use bullet splice connectors to connect the wires?
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David Smiley from Wilmington
Posted on 9/1/2017Is the harness you provide all that would be needed to Install this unit into my 2002 BMW 530i in order to replace the current dsp stereo and retain the steering wheel volum control ECT.?
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Joe from Redwood City
Posted on 2/8/2018Hi i got a pioneer single din ,on the wire harness it has 1 blue with a white stripe, my car harness adapter has a blue wire with a white stripe. If the decks blue wire with the stripe is for the amp then what is the other blue wire with a white stripe on my car harness adapter for??? I also have a loose solid blue with from the antenna adapter, could those go together?
31 comments