Head Unit Installation Guide
Complete Head Unit Installation Guide
Professional step-by-step installation with correct wiring specifications
CRITICAL: Correct Wire Color Identification
YELLOW WIRE
Constant 12V+ = Always On = Battery
Maintains memory, clock, radio presets
RED WIRE
Switched 12V+ = Ignition Controlled
Powers on/off with ignition key
⚠️ Reversing these wires can drain your battery or damage electronics!
Required Tools and Materials
Essential Tools
- Panel removal tools
- Wire strippers
- Electrical tape
- Multimeter
- Socket set
- Trim removal tools
Materials Needed
- Wiring harness adapter
- Antenna adapter
- Dash mounting kit
- Wire nuts/butt connectors
- Heat shrink tubing
- Zip ties
Safety Precautions
Electrical Safety
- Disconnect negative battery terminal first
- Wait 10 minutes for airbag system discharge
- Use insulated tools only
- Test all connections with multimeter
Vehicle Protection
- Protect dashboard surfaces
- Keep track of all screws and clips
- Take photos during disassembly
- Avoid forcing plastic components
Step-by-Step Installation Process
Installation Progress
Preparation
Removal
Wiring
Installation
Step 1: Vehicle Preparation
⚠️ Critical First Step
Disconnect the negative (-) battery terminal and wait 10 minutes before proceeding
- Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
- Gather all tools and materials in organized workspace
- Take reference photos of factory head unit and connections
- Protect dashboard and seats with covers
Step 2: Factory Head Unit Removal
- Remove dashboard trim panels surrounding head unit
- Unscrew mounting bolts/brackets (typically 4 screws)
- Carefully pull head unit forward
- Disconnect all wiring harnesses and antenna
- Remove factory mounting brackets if needed
💡 Pro Tip
Label all connectors with masking tape before disconnection for easier reassembly
Step 3: Wiring Connections
CRITICAL: Power Wire Identification
YELLOW WIRE
Constant 12V+ Power (Battery)
• Always has power (even when car is off)
• Maintains radio memory and clock
• Connect to yellow wire on head unit
RED WIRE
Switched 12V+ Power (Ignition)
• Power controlled by ignition key
• Turns head unit on/off with car
• Connect to red wire on head unit
⚠️ WARNING: Never reverse these connections!
Connecting yellow to red or red to yellow will drain your battery or damage electronics.
Complete Wiring Connections:
Power Connections
- Yellow: Constant 12V+ (Battery)
- Red: Switched 12V+ (Ignition)
- Black: Ground (-) chassis
- Blue: Remote turn-on (amplifiers)
Speaker Connections
- White: Front Left (+)
- White/Black: Front Left (-)
- Gray: Front Right (+)
- Gray/Black: Front Right (-)
- Green: Rear Left (+)
- Green/Black: Rear Left (-)
- Purple: Rear Right (+)
- Purple/Black: Rear Right (-)
Using Wiring Harness Adapter:
- Connect wiring harness adapter to factory connector
- Match wire colors between adapter and head unit
- Use butt connectors or solder connections
- Wrap all connections with electrical tape
- Test all connections with multimeter before final assembly
Step 4: Head Unit Installation
- Install mounting brackets on new head unit
- Connect all wiring harnesses to new head unit
- Connect antenna adapter and cable
- Carefully slide head unit into dash opening
- Secure with mounting screws
- Reinstall dashboard trim panels
Step 5: Testing and Final Setup
- Reconnect battery negative terminal
- Turn ignition to accessory position
- Test head unit power-on
- Verify all speakers are working
- Test radio reception
- Configure audio settings and presets
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Unit Won't Turn On
- Verify battery connection
- Check yellow wire (constant 12V+)
- Test red wire (switched 12V+)
- Ensure proper ground connection
- Check fuses in fuse box
No Sound Output
- Verify speaker wire connections
- Check for loose connections
- Test individual speakers
- Adjust balance and fade settings
- Check amplifier turn-on wire
Poor Radio Reception
- Check antenna connection
- Verify antenna adapter compatibility
- Inspect antenna cable for damage
- Check antenna grounding
- Test in different locations
Battery Drain Issues
- Verify correct wire connections
- Check for wire reversal
- Test switched power operation
- Measure current draw when off
- Inspect for short circuits
Expert Installation Tips
Pro Tip
Always use a wiring harness adapter instead of cutting factory wires. This preserves resale value and makes future upgrades easier.
Safety First
Test all connections with a multimeter before final assembly. This prevents short circuits and ensures proper operation.
Quality Matters
Use high-quality connectors and take time with connections. Poor connections are the #1 cause of audio system problems.