How to Use and Install a Car Radio Wire Harness for Easy Set Ups

• Posted on Autos.com Editor
• in Aftermarket Parts
• on October 7, 2013

A car radio wire harness is something you will find may be difficult to use depending on how it is installed. It is important that you are able to install the car radio wire harness in a way that will allow you to be able to use it easily later down the road. The installation process is something that is not difficult as long as you know the proper steps to take. Here are a few helpful tips and tricks. 

Materials Needed

• Crimping Piece
• Wiring Harness
• Head Unit Removal Tools
• Wire Stripper/Cutter

Step 1 – Head Unit

The first thing that you are going to have to do is take the head unit off. You will find that with most car stereo kits that there will be multicolored wires that are attached to your stereo. Pay close attention to these colors and where they go. Doing this is going to end up making things a lot easier for you later down the road.

Step 2 – Harness

Once you have successfully removed your head unit, you are now ready to take the old harness off. In order to successfully detach the harness, you will need to cut the wires that are keeping it in place. Make sure that you only cut the wires that keep the old harness attached, as cutting other wires can end up causing you to have to replace more than your wire harness.

Step 3 – Adapter

You are now ready to get your old harness adapter and remove it from your internal wiring adapter. Not all stereos are going to have this. If you do not see this in your system, then this simply means you do not have one, so you can move on to the next step. 

Step 4 – Splice

You will need to get the ends of your wires spliced on either end of your wiring adapter. This is something that you will find on the new wiring harness. You will need to do this to both the new and the old wiring adapter. 

Step 5 – CD Player

You will need to get your new harness adapter attached to your CD player wiring harness. In order to do this, you will need to connect your wires with the matching color. Pay attention to what goes where and take your time as you go. Make sure that you have your wiring adapter connected to the internal wiring adapter as well. From there, you will be able to get your wiring harness connected to your CD player. 

Step 6 – Safety

In order to install a car stereo successfully, you are going to need to make sure that you practice safety. It is important that whenever you are crimping the wires you do so with a proper crimping tool as well as a connector. Whenever the adapter is being cut, make sure that it is not cut too short. Always remember that whenever you are disconnecting the wires that you do so with the black wire first.