Beginner installing aftermarket radio, connect these wires to what??

mans1ay3r · 02-27-2007, 04:42 PM

This is my first time attempting to install a radio. I have the premium infinity sound system, so I bought the MITAH adapter so I can still use my factory amp. (did my research thanks to these dsm forums)

I'm installing the Kenwood KDC-MP2035 into my 97 gsx.. basically, I'm having wiring issues. I'm looking at my wiring adapter and the wiring harness that came with the radio. I matched up the colors but some colors arent on both. There are a few wires on the harness that arent on the adapter. Black, Blue/white, Brown.

I've got all the wires on the wiring adapter matched except for an orange wire that says "Illumination" on it. Is that supposed to be used??

As for the MITAH adapter, I'm not sure what to do with that one blue wire coming from it. Does that go to the Blue/White wire coming from the radio wiring harness? I hear the MITAH adapter is a great product but it should come with instructions since we arent all experts.

I figured out what to do with the four other cables on it though.

And one more question. I already uninstalled the factory infinity radio. I pulled out 2 larger black cables (I know what to do with them) but also pulled out a smaller black cable. What is this for? It doesnt seem like there is a port for it on the aftermarket radio.

I tried to see if the radio would work with everything I had connected so far and as I predicted, it didnt even turn on. I can take pictures if needed.. thanks if anyone can help, hopefully these are incredibly simple beginner questions that have easy solutions.

91TSiChick · 02-27-2007, 05:06 PM

There are some wires that do not get used on some cars. The black should be a ground and the brown I know on some harnesses is a mute wire which I have never had to use on most installs. The orange wire on some applications does not get used either, that wire on some applications tells the radio when to illuminate when lights are on/off. The blue wire is the remote wire that tells the radio when power is on/off and I would say go to the blue/white wire. I know some harnesses that I have got at like best buy used the blue/white as the remote wire. The blue/white wire could also be the power antenna wire as well.

Not 100% on that small black cable so don't want to steer you wrong on that part.

Michelle

luv2rallye · 02-27-2007, 10:58 PM

This may help: http://www.stealth316.com/misc/mitsu...dio-wiring.pdf

KBasham03 · 02-28-2007, 05:52 AM

the black cable is your antenna.

mans1ay3r · 02-28-2007, 05:24 PM

Ah, thanks for the help everyone. I got it working, sort of. It keeps going on and off though in 1 second intervals.. -.- now what did I do wrong!?

eboy0 · 02-28-2007, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mans1ay3r

Ah, thanks for the help everyone. I got it working, sort of. It keeps going on and off though in 1 second intervals.. -.- now what did I do wrong!?

Are you sure your ground is good?

1gcrazy · 02-28-2007, 05:50 PM

Yeah I had an issue like that with my amp on my celica and I wasn't grounding it properly.

mans1ay3r · 02-28-2007, 07:52 PM

How do I ground it properly? I just didnt connect the black wire to anything.. I guess this means it supposed to go to something? :\

1gcrazy · 02-28-2007, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mans1ay3r

How do I ground it properly? I just didnt connect the black wire to anything.. I guess this means it supposed to go to something? :\

On MY car....1g btw...My yellow wire was power and my black was ground. To ground it properly you need to find a bare peice of metal on the body or something that touches alot of the body in terms of surface area. Bolt it down and make sure it's secure.

mans1ay3r · 02-28-2007, 08:56 PM

Ok, now the bare wire from the black has to touch the metal for proper ground? Or do I just need to bolt it down with the insulation still covering it entirely?

gstdsm · 02-28-2007, 09:09 PM

your best bet for the best ground is to get a self drilling screw and an eyelid or a little loop terminal and screw it in to metal make sure you clean off whatever you are drilling too.

eboy0 · 02-28-2007, 09:52 PM

Best place I found to ground my radio was where the center console gets bolted down underneath the 2 coin holder pieces, right next to the e-break. When you pull out the coin/drink holder you'll see 2 screws, I found that sanding that metal piece and using one of the pieces shown below in picture, and I think you're good to go. Just make sure you get see bare metal, not painted metal, otherwise you'll have a not so good ground.

mans1ay3r · 03-03-2007, 09:01 PM

It was the ground, thanks for the help!

gsx951 · 03-04-2007, 06:37 AM

If you do not properly ground your radio and the components that connect to it, you will have issues with noise.
All of the system grounds must have the same voltage potential. If you put in an amp or eq and the ground is not as "clean" as the ground for the head unit, the wiring connecting the components will act as an antenna, picking up electrical noise.
Grounding is the big fundemental in audio installation and if your grounds suck, your sound will suck too.
http://www.audiogroupforum.com/csforum/