AM/FM Car Stereo (120-1990) Installation Faxback Doc. # 7846 USING AN ADAPTER HARNESS If you are replacing an existing stereo, or if your vehicle has been factory-wired for sound components, you might be able to use an adapter harness to connect the power and speakers. Radio Shack stores sell adapter harnesses for many vehicles. Follow the directions that come with the adapter harness to temporarily connect the power and speakers. Then connect the vehicle's antenna cable to the antenna jack on the back of the stereo. After you test the stereo system using an adapter harness and verify that everything works, make sure the connections are correctly marked or identified before you disconnect the speakers, power, and antenna. Then follow the instructions under "Installation." TEST CONNECTIONS Before you mount the stereo or any speakers you are installing, temporarily connect the speakers, power wires, and antenna. Note: If you use an adapter harness to connect the stereo, see "Using an Adapter Harness." CONNECTING AN EQUALIZER/BOOSTER You can connect an equalizer/booster to your stereo to increase the total power output from your system. If the equalizer booster has a line-level connector, use an audio patch cable (not supplied) to connect the equalizer/booster to your stereo's line-out jacks. We recommend Cat. No. 42-2309. If the equalizer/booster has a speaker-level connector, connect the equalizer/booster to the stereo's front wiring harness. CONNECTING SPEAKERS This stereo provides 5 watts of power per channel (10 watts total). Be sure your speakers can handle the stereo's power output. Each speaker must have an impedance of at least 4 ohms. Your local Radio Shack store carries a full line of speakers. Your stereo comes with one wiring harness. If you plan to connect both front and rear speakers, you will need an additional harness (Radio Shack Cat. No. 270-014). Note: If you are connecting an equalizer/booster, connect the speakers as described in the booster's owner's manual. Cautions: For added safety and for the protection of your stereo, disconnect the cable from the positive (+) terminal on your vehicle's battery before you begin. You must connect a separate wire to each speaker terminal as described in the following procedure. Do not use a common wire or chassis ground for any speaker connection. If you want to use only front or only rear speakers, connect the speakers to the supplied five-wire harness. If you want to use both front and rear speakers, connect the front speakers to the supplied five-wire harness. Then connect the rear speakers to an optional four-wire harness and plug the harness into the stereo's four-wire connector. Follow these steps to connect the speakers. 1. Connect the brown wire to the right speaker's positive (+) terminal. This terminal is usually marked with a plus (+) sign or red mark. 2. Connect the gray wire to the right speaker's negative (-) terminal. This terminal might be marked with a (-) sign or it might have no marking at all. 3. Connect the green wire to the left speaker's positive (+) terminal. This terminal is usually marked with a plus (+) sign or red mark. 4. Connect the white wire to the left speaker's negative (-) terminal. This terminal might be marked with a minus (-) sign or it might have no marking at all. CAUTION: Any changes or modifications in construction of this device which are not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. CONNECTING THE POWER AND ANTENNA Follow these steps to connect the power and antenna. 1. Connect the black ground wire to a metal screw attached to the vehicle's frame. Be sure the screw is not insulated from the chassis by a plastic part. 2. Connect the red/white wire (with in-line fuse holder) to a continuous source of 12 volts. You can connect it directly to the battery's positive terminal or to a non-switched fuse terminal (a terminal that the vehicle's ignition does not turn on and off). This connection provides continuous power for the clock and tuner memory when the ignition is turned off. 3. Connect the solid red power wire (with in-line fuse holder) from the live-wire harness to the accessory (ACC) terminal in your vehicle's fuse block. This connection provides power to the stereo when you turn on the ignition, and turns off power when you turn off the ignition. This prevents your vehicle's battery from being drained if you leave the stereo on when you turn off the ignition. 4. Connect the vehicle's antenna cable to the antenna jack on the back of the stereo. 5. Connect the blue wire to the switched side of either your headlamp/parking light circuit or the accessory switch. This connection provides power to the backlighting for the display. 6. Connect the orange wire to optional equipment that you want the stereo to turn on and off, such as an automatic antenna or equalizer/booster. This wire does not provide power to any component. It simply turns on or off other equipment. If you do not use this wire, use a wire tie to keep it out of the way. Note: The optional equipment must be designed for use with a switched power lead. 7. Connect the five-wire harness to the front speaker socket. Reconnect the battery cable. TESTING THE CONNECTIONS After you connect the speakers, power wires, and antenna, turn on your vehicle's ignition and test the stereo to be sure it works. If the stereo does not work, immediately unplug the wiring harness(es). Recheck your connections, or have a professional installer complete the installation. If the stereo works, follow the instructions under "Installation." ROUTING SPEAKER WIRE If you install speakers, avoid routing the speaker wire near moving parts or sharp edges. You can usually route it along the wiring channel beneath the vehicle's door facings by carefully removing the molding that holds the carpet in place. After routing the speaker wire, replace the molding. MOUNTING THE STEREO Before you mount the stereo, study the illustration, and be sure you have all the necessary materials before you begin. Be sure you have tested the stereo to be sure it works properly. See "Text Connections." You might need an in-dash installation kit to mount this stereo. Installation kits for most vehicle models are available at your local Radio Shack store. Note: The mounting area must be at least 7 1/2-inches (19 cm) deep. Follow these steps to mount the stereo. 1. Disconnect the positive (+) terminal on your vehicle's battery. 2. Remove the transit screw from the top cover. 3. Temporarily disconnect the wiring harness(es) and antenna. 4. Insert the supplied sleeve into the dash. Secure the sleeve to the dash by bending the matching pair of top and bottom tabs just inside the sleeve. Bend all the tabs that secure the sleeve (without bending the bracket). 5. Slide the stereo into the sleeve until it locks into place. Then reconnect the wiring harness(es) and antenna. 6. To further secure the stereo, attach one end of the supplied metal strap to the bolt on the back of the stereo. Attach the other end of the strap to an existing bolt on a solid metal part of the vehicle. This strap also helps ensure proper electrical grounding of the stereo. 7. Reconnect the positive (+) terminal on your vehicle's battery. REMOVING THE STEREO Follow these steps to remove the stereo from the dash. 1. Disconnect the positive (+) terminal on your vehicle's battery. 2. Remove the metal strap attached to the back of the stereo. 3. Insert the provided keys into the slots on the front sides of the stereo. 4. Pull the keys to slide the stereo out of the dash. 5. Disconnect the wiring harness(es) and antenna. 6. Reconnect the battery cable. (br/all-10/20/94)