noob install - wiring harness questions

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Thetimber
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:27 pm

noob install - wiring harness questions

Post by Thetimber »

Alright, totally a newbie to installing HU's. In fact, prior to this, changing the headlight bulb was something I was very proud of. For reference sake - I have a 2008 Vibe with base factory system. That's all I know - no subs or tweeters.I was given a little Sony HU, and really wasn't going to do much with it, but seems that my factory stereo has decided it doesn't want to give my CD's back when I hit eject. Eventually I can get them out, but thats another story.I've done a pile of research, and I'm all set to do the install. I bought the mounting kit (Single DIN stereo in the double DIN) and the wiring harness and the antenna adapter. Wanting only the best for my Vibe, I snubbed the kits at Walmart and went to the local install guy. Swearing his stuff was better, I paid more for his, only to get home and open up the packaging... and it's all "scosche" stuff. I soldered and shrink tubed all the connections, but I have three orange wires on my harness for illumination that don't have a counterpart on my sony HU. I'm just assuming this means my HU won't dim with the rest of my dashboard? I also have a black wire for ground.On the sony wiring harness, I have a blue wire for the power antenna (which I'm assuming I don't need as my vibe doesn't have a power anntenna) and the ground doesn't terminate in a bare wire like the rest, but in a connector to be bolted to the frame. Here are my questions:1.) Am I right in assuming the orange wires for "illumination" on the Scosche adapter harness is indeed OK to leave unconnected? 2.) Am I right in assuming the blue wire for the Power antenna on the Sony harness can be ignored?3.) Should I cut off the grounding connector on the sony harness and solder it to ground of on the scosche adapter?PS - I've been taking photos each step along the way so perhaps this can be a bit of a guide for someone else looking to make the jump and install their own kit.
bigdaddyjosh
Posts: 189
Joined: Tue Jan 05, 2010 10:18 am

Re: noob install - wiring harness questions (Thetimber)

Post by bigdaddyjosh »

one wire is is for your amplifier turn on if you have one. It might be the power antenna one. The illumination you can leave alone as well. I would not cut anything off the sony.Better yet...look up the your head unit on Sony's website and download the manual. IT should have the wiring diagram so you know exactly what is what.
Pioneer AVH-P8400BH HU Polk Audio DB-6501 Components Pioneer GM-6400F Amplifier K&N drop-in filter Fiberglass Sub box w/10" Cerwin Vega
Thetimber
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:27 pm

Re: noob install - wiring harness questions (bigdaddyjosh)

Post by Thetimber »

Quote, originally posted by bigdaddyjosh »one wire is is for your amplifier turn on if you have one. It might be the power antenna one.I checked to make sure the amp turn on was hooked up. It seems like many people have that problem. I know for certain it is the power antenna (it has a little tag saying "power antenna"), so am I safe to ignore it?Quote, originally posted by bigdaddyjosh » The illumination you can leave alone as well. OK. Ignoring. Sadly - I really was hoping it would dim the way the factory HU did...Quote, originally posted by bigdaddyjosh » I would not cut anything off the sony.So should where should I connect the radio ground? If the scosche harness has a ground wire, shouldn't I just cut off that little sony connector and solder the ground wires together?Quote, originally posted by bigdaddyjosh »Better yet...look up the your head unit on Sony's website and download the manual. IT should have the wiring diagram so you know exactly what is what.Actually, I have the install paperwork with the wire colors. I guess they are the EIA standard colours - it all matches up to the scosche harness.Thanks for the help!
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