Are your car speakers playing dull, muffled music? If you install a new car stereo, you should notice some improvement. You need to make sure you buy the right components, remove the old car stereo and connect the new one to the vehicle. Soon, your stereo system will be working perfectly again.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Remove the Old Car Radio
Step 1. Purchase all the necessary components
Regardless of whether you are updating your car stereo parts or replacing the old one with an original one from the automaker, you will need a few more tools and components. In some cases, dashboard mounting kits, an antenna adapter, or a wired connector may be required.
Step 2. Disconnect the battery terminals
You must avoid that the system is powered while making the connections. Turn off the vehicle and disconnect the cables from the battery.
Step 3. Pull the old car stereo out of the dashboard
At this stage it is highly recommended to consult the machine's use and maintenance manual. In addition, the car specific kit will contain all the detailed information for removal.
- In some cases, it is necessary to disassemble the components of the dashboard; remember that if you don't know how to proceed, you could cause irreparable damage.
- Sometimes, you may notice two pairs of holes or slots on the left and right of the car stereo. These are specific openings in which to insert a special key to extract the stereo. The key is available in most auto parts stores and online as well.
Step 4. Disconnect the car stereo from its original wiring
On most connectors you should find a clip or two to press to detach the stereo. Before detaching it, carefully examine the wired connector, make sure that the part you bought fits perfectly with the one already on the car. If not, take the car stereo to the shop and ask them to sell you the correct part.
Step 5. Disconnect the antenna (usually this is a thick black wire on the back, but it could also be a simple electrical wire)
Pliers may be useful for grasping the cable at the base. Make sure you grab and pull the plug and not the cable, otherwise you could break it and lose the signal.
Part 2 of 3: Install a New Car Radio
Step 1. Mount the dash kit by following its instructions
You can use the cage method (which consists of using a metal sheath that wraps the stereo) or the ISO method, which uses the screws included in the car stereo. When you follow this second technique, you must take advantage of the original brackets or those available in the mounting kit to install the stereo.
- Do not cut the ISO kit, if you are going to use the metal sheath!
- If you can't find the screws, you can generally buy them from your car radio dealer. Make sure they are no longer than the manufacturer's specifications, otherwise you will ruin the stereo.
Step 2. Wire the connector of the new car stereo
Connect it to the one you bought, making sure that the colors are perfectly matched (for example, white with white, black with black, orange with white stripe with an orange cable with white stripe).
- Strip about 5 cm of insulation from all cables and twist the ends to connect them together. This way, you have a larger crimp surface and better flexibility than you can achieve with soldering.
- Protect the joint with electrical tape or a threaded plug for electrical connections.
- If you have trouble pairing the cables, follow the instructions that come with the wired connector. Adapter wires and plugs generally follow a color code or have labels for easy identification.
- Some filler materials contain lead, so avoid breathing in the fumes when soldering.
Step 3. Connect the original wiring
Join the connector you prepared and the antenna. Make sure that the car stereo is working properly after this operation. This way, you will notice any problems before you put each piece back in place.
- Connect the wired connector of the stereo or adapter to that of the car system. These elements are designed to simply join with a "tongue-and-groove" joint.
- Connect the antenna cable to the car stereo. It is rare, but in some cases an adapter is needed.
Step 4. Insert the stereo into the dashboard
The exact way to proceed with this step varies according to the type of car stereo you have chosen; for this reason, you must follow the instructions included in the package. If the radio does not fit into the housing, you will need to make the necessary modifications with the elements of the kit included in the box. If your kit does not have these components, you will need to purchase them from a car radio dealer.
Step 5. Refit the dashboard
At this point, the stereo is in its housing and you can re-assemble the front of the cabin. Remember to insert each clip and screw in its place in the correct order. Do not force any component that does not fit perfectly. Read the use and maintenance manual if you have any doubts about the assembly of some parts.
Step 6. Connect the battery terminals
It's time to enjoy your new stereo system!
Part 3 of 3: Connect the New Car Stereo to the Amplifier
Step 1. Connect the remote ignition cable
If your audio system has an amplifier, you need to make sure it is connected to the car stereo. The remote ignition cable is very important, because it "informs" the amplifier that the car is on or off and prevents the battery from running out. This electrical wire can be connected directly behind the car stereo, plugged into the stereo power supply, or to another power source.
Step 2. Insert the RCA connectors
These are insulated cables that carry the audio signal from the stereo to the amplifier. They should be inserted into the corresponding ports on the back of the car stereo. If they have not already been mounted in the system, remember to stretch them on the opposite side of the power cable of the amplifier, to avoid signal interference.
Step 3. Set the gain of the amplifier
It is essential that the car stereo and amplifier work in sync. You will need to reset the gain to match that of the new stereo.
Advice
- Make sure you have all the tools before you start.
- After installing the new car stereo, you can recoup some of the expenses incurred by selling the original stereo. Some online selling sites, such as eBay, are perfect for this purpose. Original car radios are often worth 100 euros or more.
- Wiring diagrams are very useful when you need to connect the various wires. Some online sites publish plant designs with a legend for cable colors and other information about the symbols used.
- To properly disassemble the car stereo, you need the car's use and maintenance manuals.
- Remember to disconnect the battery terminals before starting the installation.
- Work with an experienced friend to make the process quicker and easier.
Warnings
- Any poorly insulated or exposed wire could cause a short circuit, prevent the unit from functioning properly or even cause a fire.
- The section "Connecting the New Car Radio to the Amplifier" refers to the amplifiers already installed on the vehicle. If you plan to mount new ones, the procedure will be a little more complicated. You can read this article for more details.
