Since we sell car stereos, we think we should show you how to install one. That way you won’t have to spend a lot of money to have the so-called “pros” do it for you.
It’s not hard to do a car audio install. All you need is a little knowledge of tools and basic car electronics. That’s it!
Car audio install steps:
1. Prepare for the job by collecting the tools you will need for your car audio install: Wire stripers, wire crimpers, voltage test meter and electrical tape.
Tip: Do not use a 12-volt light-up tester for installing car stereos. Some of the circuitry in modern cars can be damaged by these devices. It’s better to use a voltage meter. You can get one at any car stereo store and most hardware stores.
2. Read all the instructions that come with the stereo. There may be important information about how to install a car stereo that may not be covered here for the particular car stereo that you purchased.
3. Remove the old car stereo. You should be able to easily unplug the car stereo wiring from the back of the old car stereo. If the old car stereo has knobs, just pull them off.
Notice that it has a ground wire, a 12-volt electrical power wire, and four or eight speaker wires.
Connect electrical power and speaker wires
1. Connect the positive wire from each speaker to the positive speaker connector on the back of the car stereo.
2. Connect the negative wire from each speaker to the negative speaker connector on the back of the car stereo.
TIP:If there is only one wire coming out of the speakers, it means that they are grounded to the chassis. If this is the case then you should install new speaker wiring.
3. Connect the ground wire of the car stereo to a screw or bolt near where the radio is mounted in the dash.
TIP: Be sure the ground wire is attached to un-painted metal. If you attach it to plastic, fiberglass or painted metal it will not be grounded and you will damage the circuitry and wiring of your car.
4. Pull the 12-volt constant wire from the cigarette lighter. To be sure you have the correct wire use the test meter.
5. Connect the 12-volt constant lead from the stereo to the 12-volt constant of the cigarette lighter.
TIP: The installation manual that comes with the car stereo tells you which wire is the constant and which one is the ignition.
TIP: Connecting the constant lead ensures that the car stereo's built-in clock and memory features always get power.
6. Choose an ignition source. Turn the ignition forward to the first position using the key (you do not have to start the car) and select a wire from under the dash.
TIP:You can use an auto repair manual like “Chilton's" or any other, to find an appropriate wire to use.
7. Push the end of the test meter leads (looks like a metal skewer) into the ignition source. The meter should read 12 volts if you have the correct wire. To test your ignition source, turn on the headlights; the tester should still read a constant 12 volts. If it doesn’t look for a different source.
8. Connect the “turn on lead” from the car stereo to the ignition source.
9. Look for one more electrical lead coming from the car stereo. This lead has power when the stereo is on and can be used to operate a power antenna or amplifier. If you don't have these items, wrap the lead with black electrical tape so that it doesn't touch a metal surface and short out.
Connect the antenna
1. You will see a plug or hole for a plug on the back of the car stereo. This is for the antenna.
2. Connect it to the cars antenna line that you unplugged from the old car stereo.
TIP: If your car has a powered antenna, check to see if it needs a positive or negative signal to go up. Some cars are different. So, it’s best to check before you connect it. Call a car stereo shop if you are not sure.
Final Touches
1. Find the mounting brace that came with the car stereo. Mount the brace to the back of the stereo and to a secure surface under the dashboard.
2. Attach the face plate to the dashboard.
TIP: Car audio install kits. Usually, when the stock radio is taken out of the dash, it will leave a hole for both the radio and a small storage compartment underneath it. Most Hondas and Acuras - and some domestic vehicles - need a car audio install kit to make the car stereo fit into the hole. They're easy to install since most of it is just punching out specific tabs and filing away jagged edges so the receiver will properly fit in the installation kit.
Most car audio retailers sell an installation kit for your vehicle to match the stereo you buy. Make sure you get the correct kit. This kit and a car stereo wiring harness that matches the vehicle's wire setup are all you need to be like a pro.
TIP:Sometimes it is easier to just go buy a new car stereo wiring kit rather than cutting and splicing the wires. If you do have to cut your car stereo wiring, make sure you cut the old car stereo wiring harness leaving a few inches of wire just in case you ever want to put the old car stereo back in your car.
3. If you have any knobs with your new car stereo, push them on and you are done.
You wanted to know how to install a car stereo and now you know.
We don’t claim to know everything about how to install a car stereo, so make sure you read all instructions that come with your new car stereo. Some makes and models differ in various ways.
We hope to see you again
