Basic Car Audio Head Unit Wiring
A vehicle's electrical System consists of many parts but the ones we're interested in for the vehicles Stereo system, the battery, the alternator, and the 12v wiring system.
A vehicle electrical system is a standard 12 volt DC system. The primary source of power when the vehicle is NOT running is the battery. The primary source of power when the vehicle IS running is the alternator. This is a very important point to remember. The primary functions of the battery are to start the vehicle and provide power when the vehicle is not running. Because the battery's stored power is so great it is important to treat it with respect.
Always remember to disconnect the negative battery cable before doing any work on a stereo system.
NOTE: If your radio has a security feature that requires a code to be input after power has been disconnected make sure you know this code before you begin disconnecting power to the Head Unit.
A vehicle electrical system is a standard 12 volt DC system. The primary source of power when the vehicle is NOT running is the battery. The primary source of power when the vehicle IS running is the alternator. This is a very important point to remember. The primary functions of the battery are to start the vehicle and provide power when the vehicle is not running. Because the battery's stored power is so great it is important to treat it with respect.
Always remember to disconnect the negative battery cable before doing any work on a stereo system.
NOTE: If your radio has a security feature that requires a code to be input after power has been disconnected make sure you know this code before you begin disconnecting power to the Head Unit.
A Simple Diagram Example of a Standard In Car Audio System Clearly Showing the
Necessary Feeds & Their General Colour on the ISO Wiring Block.
STANDARD COLOUR GUIDE
12V BATTERY LIVE - YELLOW
12V SWITCHED LIVE - RED
GROUND - BLACK
ANTENNA LIVE/AMP IN - BLUE
ILLUMINATION - ORANGE
RIGHT REAR- / RIGHT REAR+ - PURPLE
LEFT REAR- / LEFT REAR+ - GREEN
RIGHT FRONT- / RIGHT FRONT+ - GREY
LEFT FRONT- / LEFT FRONT+ - WHITE
Necessary Feeds & Their General Colour on the ISO Wiring Block.
STANDARD COLOUR GUIDE
12V BATTERY LIVE - YELLOW
12V SWITCHED LIVE - RED
GROUND - BLACK
ANTENNA LIVE/AMP IN - BLUE
ILLUMINATION - ORANGE
RIGHT REAR- / RIGHT REAR+ - PURPLE
LEFT REAR- / LEFT REAR+ - GREEN
RIGHT FRONT- / RIGHT FRONT+ - GREY
LEFT FRONT- / LEFT FRONT+ - WHITE
Typical ISO Wiring Harness
Here were going to break a typical ISO Car Audio Harness down & explain what each connection does, it's general colour, where it leads to & each connections purpose.
HERE WE HAVE PICTURED A TYPICAL STANDARD FEMALE TO MALE ISO WIRING HARNESS - ALL AFTERMARKET HEAD UNITS & BLUETOOTH HANDSFREE KITS RUN TO & FROM A STANDARD MALE & FEMALE ISO PLUG
THIS IS A BREAKDOWN OF ALL 16 PIN LOCATIONS ON A STANDARD ISO HARNESS (8 ON EACH BLOCK) & THEIR PURPOSE. BLOCK A IS FOR ALL POSITIVE LIVE CONNECTIONS & A NEGATIVE EARTH CONNECTION. BLOCK B IS FOR THE POSITIVE & NEGATIVE SPEAKER CONNECTIONS OF UP TO 4 CHANNELS (EG: 2 FRONT SPEAKERS & 2 REAR SPEAKERS).
Links to Detailed Wiring PDF Files
Learn what Current, Resistance & Voltage is, their uses, purposes & what they relate to in a vehicles electrical circuit. Learn More
Learn how Aftermarket electronics integrate with each other & the basics of a standard car audio system. Learn More
Learn how an Aftermarket Stereo integrates into a vehicles Wiring System, Wiring explained in detail. Learn More
(LINKS COURTESY OF INSTALLDR.COM)
Learn how Aftermarket electronics integrate with each other & the basics of a standard car audio system. Learn More
Learn how an Aftermarket Stereo integrates into a vehicles Wiring System, Wiring explained in detail. Learn More
(LINKS COURTESY OF INSTALLDR.COM)