Where do you guys run your RCA and amp power wires?

[elementalwindx]

Im trying to figure out the best ways to run the signal/RCA and the power wires to the back of the car for my rockford 900x1 amp. I figured the power would be ran VIA the pass side but I cannot find a hole in the firewall, and if I have to drill one, where do I drill it at?

Pics are welcomed guys!
This is on a 90' FWD Turbo Laser.

Thanks!!

 

[boosting_laser]

Regarding the power wire you can squeeze it through the engine harness by the battery, near the windshield wiper motor.

You can either run the signal wires under the drivers side door sill or under the center console.

 

[elementalwindx]

Regarding the power wire you can squeeze it through the engine harness by the battery, near the windshield wiper motor.

You can either run the signal wires under the drivers side door sill or under the center console.

Do you have a picture of this engine harness and location your talking about? I'm stooped when it comes to wiring on a 1g seeing as how all I've ever done are 2g's.

Now as far as running it thru the center console. How the hell do I move the arm rest out of the way so i can run it all under the carpet? I can get as far as the middle of the car, but the arm rest is in the way so I cant get it any further

 

[boosting_laser]

I don't have any pics, but it's a wire loom about an 1"-1.5" wide that goes through the fire wall in the area I previously described.

To run the wires through the middle you need to unbolt the center console. It's not that hard + you have a straight shot @ the stereo too.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

I drilled a hole through my firewall. You can do it pretty much wherever you want, but be extremely careful. Look on both sides of the firewall, and take several measurements, to make sure the hole will be where you want it, and so that you don't puncture something vital.

Even though I did this in a 2G (and a NT at that), the procedure shouldn't be very different. Run the cable directly from the positive battery terminal, through the hole (you may want to put a grommet in the freshly drilled hole to prevent fraying). Then pass it along the side of the car (under the plastic passenger's side sill [passenger's side for a turbo, right?]), back to the trunk.

You'll want to hook up the RCA and remote cable through the center cable. For one, like mentioned before, you have a direct access to the head unit this way. Also, the RCA cables are very sensitive to noise, so you want to keep them as isolated as possible (especially from the power wires). From the back of the console, route it under the carpeting and backseats into the trunk.

Hope this helped.

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

For power I've been going through the steering column boot. It's easy to pass through and puts you close to the center where you can run all your wires.

I tried for the part near the battery, but had trouble getting the wires through. When I looked closer, I noticed someone had previously drilled a hole through the firewall and wrecked a dozen wires in the bundle which were a b*tch to patch.


Everything going back from there (power for amp, fuel pump, rca, etc...) I run under the center console, under the carpet and seats and behind the plastic panneling on the side of the hatch area. Easy access to everything, clean look and not too hard to do.

 

[elementalwindx]

I don't have any pics, but it's a wire loom about an 1"-1.5" wide that goes through the fire wall in the area I previously described.

To run the wires through the middle you need to unbolt the center console. It's not that hard + you have a straight shot @ the stereo too.

It's not hard when you know where the bolts are. The only bolts I see are the two big ones that go to the seat belts. Are there more than that. It's dark out right now and it was getting dark as I was looking for them but I swear I did not see any. I know on the 2g theres just one on each side and basically undo those, and like two others and pull it up, but its definately not the same on a 1g.

Vegan cowboy, I've heard about that method before but never done wiring that way, is there a picture to elaborate on the engine bay side, where I would need to push the wire thru?

 

[VelocitàPaola]

There's about six bolts on the 2G; four of which are hidden. Look for panels that are fastened by clips or something. On the 2G, you need to take out the ashtray/cup holder and the DIN/HVAC bezel in order to get to the other four.

When you have more light, gently pull up on different sections of the console. If it's held in by clips it'll just come out - if not, look for the points of greatest resistance, then inspect those points further and looks for screws.

If you want to run a cable through the steering wheel boot, begin by looking at where the steering column goes through the firewall. You'll see a large rubber boot. Take an awl, or a long nail and puncture a small hole off to the side of the boot (not too close to the column). Fish the cable through with a hooked wire or fish tape. I highly recommend running the power wires along a different route than the RCA cables. They will transfer noise giving you fuzzy signals to the amp.

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

Vegan cowboy, I've heard about that method before but never done wiring that way, is there a picture to elaborate on the engine bay side, where I would need to push the wire thru?

It's easier to start the wires frem inside the cabin. Just look above the gas pedal for the steering boot. It's fairly obvious. Poke a hole (don't cut!). I used a long screw driver to be sure it was all the way through. Then feed the wire through. It will come out behind and below the intake manifold towards the driver side. It's high enough you should be able to reach it by had, even with cruise control and other stuff in the way.

From there you should be able to route it into the stereo area and through the arm rest, etc... if you need to. If running the wires together is a problem, you can run one on either side of the arm rest and keep them at least 6 inches apart.

*edit* I can take a picture if this is still confusing.

 

[elementalwindx]

It's easier to start the wires frem inside the cabin. Just look above the gas pedal for the steering boot. It's fairly obvious. Poke a hole (don't cut!). I used a long screw driver to be sure it was all the way through. Then feed the wire through. It will come out behind and below the intake manifold towards the driver side. It's high enough you should be able to reach it by had, even with cruise control and other stuff in the way.

From there you should be able to route it into the stereo area and through the arm rest, etc... if you need to. If running the wires together is a problem, you can run one on either side of the arm rest and keep them at least 6 inches apart.

*edit* I can take a picture if this is still confusing.

A picture would be awesome for me and the next newb who searches this thread. Also I remember reading that alot of the new wiring kits are designed to be ran side by side, and my wiring kit has some weird this single strand of wire molded into the RCA wires. But this has two ends. I'm still assuming its some kind of grounding thing so that you can run the wires side by side?

 

[i1nk83]

that wire is for the remote wire, to turn the amp on an off so you dont have to run a seperate wire.

 

[DSMGSX95]

There is a gromet in the fire wall on the driver side where harness wires come thru. The hardest part was finding the wire up under the dash after I had passed it thru the firewall. I used an 8 gauge wire I bought at an audio store....very high grade of copper and very flexible. I then ran it behind the kick panel and then removed the sill plate and ran it thru the body channel to the rear, I also had to remove the rear interior panel on the driver side and had the wire exit almost at the tail lights.

 

[elementalwindx]

awe crap. well why the hell do they provide a bright blue signal wire then? *confused*

Soooo yeah I found the grommet on the pass. side, but not the driver side. It started to rain today but I tried feeding a clothes hanger thru it and it started to go thru and then it just got stuck on something. Anyone have a pic with a circle indicating where exactly that comes out in the car? I was trying my hardest to find the clothes hanger with 3 of my fingers in this lil space that feels like that could be possible after I did some measuring, but I just could not get to it! I'm going to go buy a fish or whatever you call them to try and fish the line thru, and hopfully that will be a lil better than a clothes hanger. At least I've gotten that grommet loosened up.

I got the RCA and signal wired thru the middle of the car perfectly so far. Just that stupid power wire is holding me back from being done!