How to Install A Car Stereo

How To Install A Car Stereo

You’re first step to installing a new stereo starts with the removal of the old stereo. Be sure to pay close attention to how you take the old stereo out, because the procedure for installing your new stereo will be the same, but just the opposite.

Remove the stereo that came with your car

For detailed information on how to remove the stereo that came with your car, consult your owner’s manual, if available. Otherwise, here are some guidelines you can follow.

When you start, set the parking brake and remove the negative cable from the car battery to avoid accidently short circuiting something.

Your car stereo is mounted in one of two ways: either secured in a metal mounting sleeve by spring clips, or bolted to the dash with brackets.

Unplug the stereo that came with your car

If your car still has the stereo it came with, or if it was pre-wired with a "stereo prep" package, you should find at least one plastic wiring harness behind the stereo opening. This plug(s) connects the stereo to your car's electrical system, along with your speaker connections. You will need to unplug the stereo from the wiring harnesses along with the antenna to complete the removal process.

New stereo preparation

If your new stereo manufacturer carries a custom wiring harness for your vehicle, you can use that to connect your stereo to your vehicle's original wiring harnesses. This will ensure proper function ability, just like your old stereo did. If your car does not have a harness or if the stereo plug was cut off, you will have to identify each of the wires and connect them to the relating wires of your new stereo.

Soldering or Crimping

You can either crimp or solder the wires together. Crimping is easier and faster. While soldering produces a permanent, professional connection that guarantees maximum current transfer.

Installation of your new stereo

You might need to remove the mounting brackets from the sides of your old stereo and attach them to the sides of your new stereo if the original stereo was bolted into the dash. You will probably, more than likely, need a mounting kit to install your new stereo.

If you need a mounting kit, install it first. Next, slide and secure the new stereo's metal mounting sleeve into the kit.

You can then hold the new stereo up near the dash opening while you connect the stereo wiring adapter to your cars wiring harness and plug the antenna cable in.

Slide the stereo into the open dash, but wait to fasten it down. Make sure everything is working properly by testing the stereo first. Turn the stereo on and check each source (FM, AM, and CD). Then adjust the fader and balance settings to make sure that each speaker is working properly.

Once you've tested everything and are sure the stereo is wired and working properly, finish by securing your stereo system to the dash and reinstalling any pieces of dash that you previously removed. You’re ready to Rock ‘n’ Roll.

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