How to Install a Car Stereo

To install a car stereo yourself, can save you the money from having it installed. All you need are a few basic tools, electrical tape, the correct wiring harness and a possibly a stereo mounting kit. Before you get started, you should disconnect the positive cable from the battery. This will prevent any shorts and unwanted problems.

Remove the old car stereo

Once you are able to pull your old car stereo out, you should check to see if the new wiring harness that you bought plugs into preexisting harness. If it does, then you can completely remove the old stereo. If there is no wiring harness, you should mark or write down where each wire goes. All stereo wire is color coded so marking the wires should be easy. The other option is to disconnect one wire at a time and immediately connect it to the correct wire on the new stereo.

Install mounting bracket

Before you start connecting wires, you need to install the stereo mounting bracket. If you are using the old bracket, then you can skip this step. With most new stereos there is a small mounting bracket that fits into the dash opening and mounts flush to the dash. For some cars, the old stereo may have been much larger than the new stereo. In this case, you will want to install the custom mounting kit that you bought. Once the mounting bracket is in place, there are metal tabs that bend down to secure the bracket into place. There are several tabs, so bend down however many will effectively hold the bracket into place.

Attach new stereo to harness

Now, you can plug the stereo wiring harness into the new car stereo as well as the antenna. Before you push the stereo into place, you should first test the stereo. Reconnect the battery and turn on the car key to provide power to the stereo. Turn on the stereo to ensure that it works. You should also listen to all of the speakers to make sure that they all are connected correctly. If all of the functions work properly, it is safe to complete the installation.

Push the stereo into the mounting bracket. You should here it “click” into place. Pull on the stereo to ensure that it engaged with the bracket. Next, there should be a single bolt on the back of the stereo. There should also be a metal band or bracket that is bolted to the car. Bolt the bracket onto the back of the stereo. You can also secure the wiring harness to the band. Gaining access to the back of the stereo may be tricky. You may be able to reach up behind the dash or through the ash try. On some cars, you may have to remove some of the dash trim.

Once the stereo is fully connected and secured, there should be a plastic trim that goes around the stereo head and it snaps into place. Congratulations, you just installed your own car stereo.

Photo Credits: vanRijn

This post involves:

antenna, basic tools, car stereo, electrical tape, metal tabs, mounting bracket, new car stereo, positive cable, speakers, stereo wiring harness, stereos

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Car Tips, Stereo System

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