About Harness for Stereo: Wiring harnesses are a system of connected wires or cables within an electronic or electrical component in automotive vehicles.
If you want to install a new car stereo and need to know about its wiring harness, you’re in the right place. Normally, installing a car stereo has prerequisites, including knowing the wire color codes, wiring harness adapters, and the procedure. Fortunately, our post today highlights all you need to know about a stereo wire harness.
What is a Stereo Wire Harness?
Simply put, a harness is an adapter. Therefore, a stereo harness is an adapter for installing aftermarket stereos in vehicles. Although relatively affordable, choosing the wrong wiring harness for the customer and car can be costly. Therefore, always ensure the equipment you purchase matches your vehicle’s specifications.
(A car audio wiring)
The specifications can generally depend on your vehicle’s model, whether it has a factory-amplified system, and the year of production.
Car Stereo Wiring Harness Color Codes
Nowadays, car manufacturers release cars with standardized wire colors, as opposed to the past, when each model or brand had its distinct color codes. Each color has a specific purpose.
The table below summarises the color codes.
| Color | Feature |
| Purple/black | Right rear (-) Negative |
| Purple | Right rear (+) positive |
| Gray/black | Right front (-) negative |
| Gray | Right front (+) positive |
| Green/black | Left rear (-) negative |
| Green | Left rear (+) positive |
| White/Black | Left front (-) negative |
| White | Left front (+) positive |
| Blue | Power antenna |
| Black | Radio chassis ground |
| Orange | Dash light/ Illumination |
| Red | 12-volt ignition |
| Yellow | 12-volt memory |
(Color-coded wiring harness)
Specially-designed Wiring Harnesses for Stereo
Several developments have occurred in vehicles’ convenience features, electrical systems, and audio systems over the past years. In the process, the wiring harnesses caught up to handle the modern cars’ data information and complex wiring.
Currently, the market has various specialized harnesses. Some include:
Factory amp bypassing
Sometimes, manufacturers separate the amplifier from the car’s stereo system. In such situations, you can utilize the aftermarket stereo with the amplifier. Even better, you can consider purchasing a vehicle with an amplifier and aftermarket stereo. In that way, you can use a specialized harness to bypass the factory amplifier.
Programmable harness
Modern cars have distinctive features such as Chrysler Uconnect, GM OnStar, and FORD sync built into their factory radios. Sounds good, but in hindsight, the features have made wiring complicated. Furthermore, you’ll lose the built-in features if you replace the factory stock radio.
Luckily, new programmable harnesses will enable you to integrate the features. It is costly but worth every cent invested.
Safety alarm retainer
Safety alarms are necessary car elements incorporated into the factory stereo. If a stereo replacement disrupts their function, it can be dangerous. Therefore, you’ll need a specialized harness that retains the alarms after a new stereo installation.
(Car key and alarm system)
Extension harness
Some vehicles have their stereo connectors in their trunks, while others have them far away from the stereo. Extension harnesses are often ideal for such circumstances. You can comfortably adjust them to suit your requirements.
Additional adapters for car stereo installations
Occasionally, you’ll need extra adapters to install your new stereo since the wiring harness may not suffice. Generally, the adapters will help you retain some factory features or achieve a specific connection.
Some adapters we recommend are below.
Steering wheel audio control adapters
Thanks to technological advancements, modern cars often have steering wheel controls. This feature enables drivers to operate their factory audio system while maintaining their hands on the wheel. The operations normally range from hands-free calls to track back/forward and volume controls.
( A hand pushing a cruise control button on a steering wheel)
However, once you replace the factory radio, the operations stop working. You can use the steering wheel control adapter to add the factory functions to a new stereo.
Antenna adapter
Most vehicles have a simple process of connecting to the factory AM/FM antenna connectors. All you need to do is connect the antenna to the antenna port of the new receiver’s rear.
Unfortunately, some cars’ antenna connectors are linked with amplified antenna systems or have different shapes. Thus, you’ll need an antenna adapter when installing your radio to continue playing your favorite AM/FM stations.
(Car antenna adapter)
How to wire a Car Stereo
Use the step-by-step guide below to learn how to install a new stereo successfully. For more information about the car’s system, you can refer to the car manual.
- First, disconnect the battery, then remove the old car stereo.
- Second, to avoid damaging your system or harming yourself, detach the ground wire. It’s the black terminal (negative wire) of the battery.
- Next, link your new wiring harness adapter (ensure it’s the ideal fit). Then, fix the new radio plug to your adapter to plug your car’s wiring harness into the new stereo.
- Before installing the new stereo, ensure you test it. Do this by turning it on and trying out some of its functions.
- Lastly, match the colors on the adapter to the ones on the stereo wiring. Then, secure the stereo using spring clips or brackets and bolts.
N/B: Check and confirm that the circuit break is off during the process to avoid accidents.
Sometimes, however, you may not find the correct wiring harness for the stereo and car. Under such circumstances, you’ll have to manually wire the connections for the aftermarket radio. The manual work here may involve using a pigtail connector or directly connecting the pins.
Remember, the same principle on color codes still applies here.
Conclusion
There you have it—a complete guide on installing a wiring harness for a stereo and other basics. If you have more questions or clarifications, feel free to reach out for expert advice.
