Wiring diagram for 1din new car radio. Self-installation of a standard radio

The head acoustic unit is included with the machine or installed separately. The connection of the radio is carried out by the owner of the car independently or in a specialized center. The operation of not only the multimedia center, but also the electrical system of the car depends on the correctness of the procedure.

Connection diagrams

The connection of the car radio to the vehicle's on-board network is carried out through standard wiring or connected directly to the battery. The power system must ensure uninterrupted operation of the equipment regardless of the volume level. The power supply circuit uses an additional cord to ensure that the settings are saved when the key is removed from the ignition.

The diagram attached to the factory documentation of the car radio indicates the purpose of the power cables:

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  • with black insulation - used to ground the radio casing to the car body;
  • with a red protective layer (a yellow cord with a larger wire cross-section is used on parts of the radio) - to supply positive power to the amplifier;
  • with a yellow insulator - to recharge the memory unit (a constant supply of a positive signal of 12 V is required);
  • with blue protection with a white stripe - for supplying power to an external amplifier (for example, an antenna or sound).

Before connecting the car radio to the on-board network, you need to analyze the documentation and select the preferred connection scheme. To facilitate installation, the cables are color coded according to the ISO standard. An incorrect choice of switching scheme can cause equipment to turn off during operation or distortion of the broadcast sound.

Through the ignition switch

The connection diagram for the radio through the contact group of the ignition switch is possible if there is an intermediate ACC position in the device. The power wire for grounding (with a black insulator) must be hooked up to grounding elements (for example, to special bolts and nuts welded to the body). The cable is secured using contact plates, which are installed on the exposed area. The quality of the grounding determines the operation of the equipment at high volumes; if the contact is poor, the radio may turn off spontaneously.


Only a cable covered with a layer of red insulation passes through the contact group of the ignition switch. On some vehicles, it is possible to connect the cord to the cigarette lighter socket or socket for additional equipment, since power is supplied to the units only after turning the key in the ignition switch. When making such switching, the parameters of the protective fuse should be taken into account; the rating of the insert should be sufficient for the joint operation of the cigarette lighter (or additional devices) and multimedia equipment.

The yellow cable is led to contacts where positive power is constantly present.

If the wire is connected to the lock, the equipment settings will be reset to factory values ​​each time the ignition system is turned off.

The connection point for the yellow wire depends on the car model; it is recommended to route the cord to the battery installation location.

After the ignition is turned off and the key is removed from the keyhole, the power supply to the power circuits of the multimedia device is stopped. Only the elements that ensure that radio frequencies and equipment settings are stored in memory remain energized. The switching technique ensures minimal energy consumption by the head unit when the vehicle is idle.

Installing a standard radio in a car requires switching only through the contact group of the lock. The cables used by the manufacturer are designed for the power of the built-in amplifier, which ensures reliable operation of the equipment. If the owner intends to replace the factory equipment with a device with improved characteristics, it is recommended to evaluate the compliance of the cable cross-section with the power consumption.

Direct to battery

A scheme for connecting a car radio directly to a battery installed in the engine compartment or in the luggage compartment has become widespread. The connection method is the most reliable, but the car owner must forcibly turn off the head unit when parking the car. A working amplifier can discharge the battery in 8-10 hours; it will not be possible to start the power unit with the starter in the morning.


Before connecting the radio to a DC source, you need to lay the power cables. The cords are routed from the instrument panel through the car interior and engine shield; the route is laid away from moving elements and heat sources. If there are no suitable holes in the engine shield, then it is necessary to drill the parts and install rubber seals. To ensure operation of equipment equipped with an external amplifier and subwoofer, the use of a copper multi-core cable with a cross-section of 3-5 mm² is required.

The cables are connected to the battery contact pins using special terminals, which are then coated with a protective compound. A fuse is installed in the positive line; the rating of the device depends on the power of the connected components. The fuse link is mounted at a distance of 300-400 mm from the battery contact connector. Installing a multimedia complex without a protective element is strictly prohibited.

Using a button instead of the ignition switch

Connecting the radio via a button allows you to control the power of the head unit without installing the key in the ignition. With this connection method, the red wire (positive power) is led to a switch that is mounted on the front panel or center console in the car. Installation and connection of equipment involves laying additional cables and using a button that can withstand current up to 10-15 A (depending on the power of the amplifier).


After pressing the button, the multimedia equipment is turned on; a yellow cable is used to save the settings in memory. The cord is led to the battery or attached to the positive wire of the car circuit, which constantly carries voltage. The disadvantage of the technique is the need to control the position of the switch when parking the car.

Via alarm

A security alarm can be used to connect a multimedia head unit to a car. An additional 5-pin relay is included in the equipment circuit, which breaks the power supply circuit of the radio when the security mode is activated. The switching unit is placed in the gap in the power supply wire to the amplifier; a protective fuse rated for a current of 10-15 A is installed in front of the relay. To turn off the power to the musical equipment, the external blocking control output (negative pulse) is used.


Installation of the radio and connection to the on-board network through the alarm unit is recommended to be carried out in a specialized service. If switching is incorrect, the head unit continues to consume current up to 200 mA, which leads to a decrease in battery capacity. Some security systems require the installation of an electronic unit built on low-current transistors and additional resistances. The design of the module depends on the output logic of the car alarm.

Method of connecting head equipment via a double relay and a security complex unit:

  1. Connect the yellow cable from the battery through pins 30 and 85 of the first relay, and then route the cable to the player.
  2. To contact 86, located on the first relay, lay the signal cable from the central locking control unit (negative pulse).
  3. Connect contact 87A of the first relay to plug 30 located on the second switching block. Contact 86 from the second relay is connected to the car body.
  4. From plug 85 on the secondary relay, the wire is routed to an external amplifier or antenna.
  5. The red wire goes through the ignition switch and the diode. Then the circuit is connected to pin 87, located on the second relay, and output to the head unit block.

Installation in the car

Installation of the radio begins with the removal of the decorative plugs covering the mounting socket in the center console. To mount the head unit, metal clips are used, which are held in the instrument panel by bendable antennae. If the car was equipped with a 1 Din-format radio, and you plan to install equipment with increased dimensions, then a box for small items is removed from the console. It is not possible to install a 2 Din standard player on some machines, or the installation of a new console will be required to accommodate the unit.


To install a radio instead of the original equipment, it is necessary to install adapter brackets that allow you to attach the tape recorder to the power frame of the dashboard. Installing a non-standard radio requires the use of a decorative frame that allows you to fit a rectangular front panel into a hole with beveled edges or rounded corners (depending on the type of car). The additional element is installed by hand and does not require modification of standard parts from the machine.

Connecting speakers

Connecting the radio to a car equipped with standard acoustics does not require laying patch cables. The owner will need to directly connect the plugs to the mating connectors on the head unit or use an adapter. If speakers are installed simultaneously with the installation of multimedia equipment, then signal cables will need to be laid. Depending on the design of the car, acoustics are installed in the doors, instrument panel or shelf located behind the back of the rear row of seats.


To connect the acoustics to the head unit, a special-purpose stranded copper wire coated with an elastic insulator is used. On the speaker body there are positive and negative contacts with symbols. The connection diagram for the car radio provides for connecting loudspeakers in compliance with polarity; connecting negative cables into a common bus is prohibited. Since the wires come without a chip, it is necessary to provide a plug that will ensure a reliable connection.

Antenna connection

Once the power cables and speaker patch cords have been connected, the antenna plug should be reinstalled. On some cars, the cable with the connector is folded deep into the instrument panel; the owner needs to pull the cord to the installation site himself. Standard antennas are equipped with frequency filters that eliminate interference and increase the range of signal reception from repeaters. The factory unit is connected using a plug that is installed in the mating socket on the back of the car radio.


If the car is not equipped with an antenna, then many owners connect an active type device that is mounted on the windshield. The built-in amplifier requires power, which is provided by the output in the player's jack, marked AMP or REM. After connection, the junction point is protected with insulating tape. At this stage, the procedure for installing the radio in the car ends; the owner can test the operation of the equipment.

Checking the connection

After the installation of the car radio is completed, you need to connect the battery to the car's on-board network. Then an attempt is made to activate the multimedia head unit. If the wires are connected incorrectly, you will not be able to turn on the device; if the insulation is poor, a short circuit may occur, which will blow the fuse. To restore functionality, you will need to remove the device and replace the fuse link with a product with an identical rating.

Then it is recommended to check the correct connection of the power cords according to the colors of the radio wires. Incorrectly connected cables must be carefully disconnected and then reconnected correctly to the car radio. If the display lights up when you press the power button, then the power supply to the equipment is connected correctly. If there is no sound (regardless of the position of the control) or the amplifier periodically turns off, then you need to use a tester to check the integrity of the cables going to the speakers.

If there are no malfunctions during the operation of the equipment, then the connection of the car radio and installation of additional components are considered complete. If the owner cannot find the cause of the malfunction, it is recommended to send the car to a service center. Operating a vehicle with faulty electrical network components leads to melting of the wiring insulation and a fire.

Active music lovers replace their radios more than once, for various reasons. Sometimes the radio simply breaks down, sometimes obsolescence occurs, and sometimes the car owner just wants to get high-quality sound. And if you buy a car from scratch, each “option” for filling the car costs tens of thousands of rubles. If you don’t want to overpay for a car, you have the right to purchase a car without a car radio, and then, yourself, purchase and install the radio model that suits you perfectly. But for each job in a car service you have to pay a considerable amount, and if you are not a complete “felt boot”, you can install a new radio with your own hands. This article will help you on how to install it. Just sort out all the wires at the output of the radio and decide on the plugs.

Installation of a radio tape recorder, what format of radio tape recorders are present on the automotive market

Depending on the make of the car, the format of the car radio is selected. European automakers produce cars with single-block or single-din (1DIN) car radios.

Car manufacturers in Japan, Korea and the USA are focused on the production of two-block format radios (2DIN).

Naturally, since in Russia there are many cars made in Japan and Korea, two-unit radios have become quite in demand.

Car enthusiasts fell in love with 2DIN radios due to the expanded size of the case, which allows the installation of additional multimedia functions.

Installing the radio, ISO plugs

There is an international ISO standard for the production of radio tape recorders.

Therefore, if you do not want your music system to break, do not use car radio wiring that does not comply with international standards.

Modern radio manufacturers equip all radio adapters with ISO standards.

Each car brand uses its own plugs to create a transition from the original plug to the international standard; adapters have been produced.

Adapters have a wide range and you can choose the right one for any occasion.

If the car has standard wiring, this makes connecting the radio easier and removes all difficulties.

Installing a radio, the easiest way to install a car radio

Car enthusiasts know that the easiest way to connect a car radio is to cut the wire from the plug of your radio or car wiring.

Using electrical tape, you just need to connect the wires in accordance with the color of these wires.

The method, of course, is far from aesthetic, everything is done “clumsily” and the electrical tape itself is not a reliable fixation when the outside temperature fluctuates - this can lead to a short circuit.

If you decide to use this method, we recommend using heat shrink tubing or clamp terminals - this method is more reliable. If you don’t like noisy music and are not going to constantly change radios, you can stop there.

But if you like changes and know that you will change the radio in the future, then you should work hard once and install the ISO contacts.

The next time you replace, you simply pull out the old radio, disconnect the plugs, connect the plugs to the new radio and install it in the niche.

Installing a radio, do-it-yourself connection basics

Any equipment operates from a source of electricity.

A car battery is a source of electricity, but at the same time it poses a danger to radios and speakers.

If you confuse the plus and minus of the radio, or confuse the speaker terminals, you can destroy the equipment.

But at the same time, it is necessary to connect from the battery and not from the cigarette lighter or ignition switch.

If you want clear sound and good power from your music equipment, you must connect to a battery.

An important point is to use short wires.

When connecting the plus, use stranded copper wire with a cross-section of at least 4 mm2.

There should be a 10-20 A fuse on the positive wire of the battery; the fuse should be well insulated and installed from the battery terminal at a distance of at least 40 cm.

Sometimes the manufacturer installs the fuse themselves.

The negative wire should also be as short as possible.

Why do they pay attention to the length of the wires?

But because the short wire can be laid neatly, without twisting and to prevent intersections with other consumers.

The wires are connected to the radio itself after the connection to the speakers has occurred.

To prevent the positive wire of the battery from being exposed, this wire must be well insulated until the moment when the car radio can be powered with the positive wire.

Installing a radio, how to connect speakers

A very important point is to connect the speakers to the appropriate phases.

The terminal on the speaker is marked, a wide terminal is a plus, and a narrow terminal is a minus.

If an old car has speakers without terminal markings, the markings can be determined using a regular battery.

The speaker terminals are connected to the plus and minus of the battery and if you guessed correctly, the diffuser will move outward, if you didn’t guess, the diffuser will move inward.

Remember, if you connect the speaker phases incorrectly, you will lose 80% of the sound quality, and then the speaker and radio may break.

The most common mistake that leads to loss of speaker power and sound quality is incorrect speaker phasing.

If you don’t even have a battery at hand, turn on the radio at full power, outputting the sound to one speaker, then distribute the sound equally to both speakers, thus setting the balance to 0.

If after these actions the sound power and low frequencies increase, your actions are correct.

And if no changes occur, change the polarity.

Do the same work on the rear and side pair of speakers.

Of course, if an elephant has stepped on your ear and you don’t see any difference in the sound, it doesn’t matter to you, leave everything as it is.

Installing a radio, how to choose wires

Speaker wires also have their own markings.

The positive wires have a solid color, and the negative wires have the same color plus a black stripe.

This means that a solid-colored wire connects to the wide speaker terminal, and a wire with a black stripe goes to the narrow speaker terminal.

The negative wire for a pair of speakers of an acoustic system located on the side or from the front, with a system power of up to 20 W, can be common.

And if the system has a power of 30 W. and more for each channel, each channel has its plus and minus.

It is forbidden to confuse or swap wires.

It is forbidden to connect the minus to the car body to ground the speaker.

This procedure results in loss of power and distortion of sound.

If the radio has low power and manual tuning, there may be two or four speaker wires with a plus and not one wire with a minus.

In this case, for all speakers, the minus is connected to the main negative wire of the radio; it must be routed to the car body or to the minus terminal of the battery.

Almost all speaker systems, when purchased, have connecting wires. But these wires are testing and not installation.

Since the cross-section of these wires is very small, no higher than 0.5 mm2, it is not capable of transmitting all the power to the speakers without loss.

Such wires can only be used for speakers whose power is not higher than 20 W, and the diameter of the speakers is not more than 13 cm - such speakers can only create auxiliary acoustics.

Powerful speakers from 40 to 100 W, with a speaker diameter of more than 16 cm, are connected with special speaker wires.

The wires are made of oxygen-free copper and their cross-section is from 1 to 4 mm2.

On such wires there are arrows indicating the correct direction from the car radio to the speaker, and the direction of the coil of the copper bundle significantly affects the sound.

Installing a radio, what kind of insulation should be on the wires

High-quality insulation ensures uninterrupted reliable operation.

The insulation on modern wires should be silicone; silicone is not subject to changes under the influence of external temperatures.

To have high-quality sound, in addition to high-quality insulation, the following is not allowed:

  • twisting the wires (therefore the wires should be as short as possible);
  • Do not lay wires near the wires of other consumers;
  • the wires should not rub against each other;
  • It is unacceptable for your feet to touch wires or cargo in the trunk;
  • in doors, the wires must be pulled through a hard cambric.

Installing a radio, how to position the speakers

Before connecting the radio, install the rear main speakers. The short axis of the speaker should be directed diagonally across the cabin.

The rear left axle is directed towards the passenger and the right axle towards the driver.

If the speakers are in the trunk, do not block the sound with boxes or drawers. Place the tweeters on the windshield pillar, the sound from the driver's tweeter should go to the passenger.

The sound of the passenger tweeter should go to the driver.

Standard car radios, as a rule, do not shine with functionality and high quality sound reproduction. Often the “native” audio system head unit does not meet the owner’s high requirements. There is only one way out of the situation: replacing the car radio.

Classification of car radios by size

Car head units on the market differ in functionality, sound parameters and installation dimensions.

Developed by German manufacturers, the standard for car head units DIN 75490 was adopted in 1984 as international ISO 7736. It determined the standard mounting hole size for a car radio (1-DIN) - 180 x 50 mm. This size is the 1 DIN size. DIN stands for Deutsches Institut fur Normung - German Institute for Standardization. The abbreviation DIN stands for German standard.

Igor Syroedov

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Unification of installation dimensions expands the possibilities of using various radios in cars of different manufacturers and models. Currently, all radios are produced in accordance with the requirements of the international standard ISO 7736, but motorists prefer to refer to the similar international German standard DIN 75490.

Usually there is enough free space behind the car console, so the standard regulates only the width and height of the radio, without limiting the depth. There are two formats: 1 DIN (178 x 50 mm) and 2 DIN (178 x 100 mm).

In practice, the seat may be slightly wider and higher. In this case, to mask the cracks, decorative transition frames are used, which can be found on sale for almost any car model.

Adapter frames are also used when it is necessary to install a 1 DIN radio in a 2 DIN slot. The reverse procedure - installing a 100 mm high radio in a 50 mm opening - is impossible without significant modification of the console.

Video: choosing a radio by size

Wire markings and topography of ISO connectors

Modern head units, as a rule, are equipped with connectors made according to the ISO 10487 standard. However, you can still find both radios and cars in which manufacturers use connectors of the original design. In such cases, the radios are connected via adapters.

The ISO standard defines the physical dimensions of three pads:


Despite the fact that the standard does not establish the purpose of the contacts, many manufacturers adhere to the same color marking of wires and topography (pinout, wiring) of connectors.

Radio began to sound in cars from the beginning of the 20s of the last century. At that time, there were two ways to improve a car: install a truck engine in a passenger car or install a radio in a car. The difficulty of improvement was equal. Car radios did not exist then, so the problem was solved as best they could. Home radios were converted to fit the 6-volt on-board network of the car, or simply ran on batteries. No one thought about sound quality. The home radio in the car did not last long. The constant shaking did its job, gradually destroying the electric lamps. A huge antenna was located under the ceiling, turning the car into a cage.

Igor Syroedov

http://steer.ru/node/29859

Table: pin assignments and color coding of wires of a standard ISO connector

Section (block)Contact numberPossible designationWire colorPurpose
A4
  • Bup+,
  • B/Up
  • B-UP
YellowRadio power supply +12 V (main)
6
  • ANT+,
  • AutoAnt
  • P.ANT.
Blue+12 V output to antenna amplifier
7
  • KL 15,
  • S-Kont,
  • SAFE,
RedRadio power supply +12 V (control via ignition key)
8
  • GROUND
BlackFrame
IN1 RR+VioletRight rear speaker (+)
2 RR–Purple-blackRight rear speaker (–)
3 FR+, RF+GreyRight front speaker (+)
4 FR–, RF–Gray-blackRight front speaker (–)
5 FL+, LF+WhiteLeft front speaker (+)
6 FL–, LF–White blackLeft front speaker (–)
7 LR+, RL+GreenLeft rear speaker (+)
8 LR–, RL–Green-blackLeft rear speaker (–)

The information given in the table is not exhaustive and completely reliable. You should check the markings of the wires and the purpose of the connector contacts in the documentation before connecting the radio.

Video: topography and disassembly of the ISO connector

Connecting the radio

When both the head unit and the car are equipped with standard ISO connectors with the same pinout, connection takes a matter of minutes. This is the simplest case. All work comes down to dismantling the old radio, connecting a new one to the same connectors and assembling the console.

Connecting a radio in the absence of a standard ISO connector

If there are no ISO connectors in the car or radio, then the best solution to the problem is to buy an adapter corresponding to the model of the head unit and the car and connect through it.

Video: ISO adapter

An alternative option is to cut off the standard cable and the cable that came with the new radio, and then connect all the wires in accordance with the connection diagram, making a homemade adapter.

When connecting in this way, special attention should be paid to the reliability of the contacts and insulation of the wires. They are connected using twisting, soldering and clamping clip connectors. It is better to insulate the places of twists with heat-shrink casing, discarding the adhesive tape.

Connection without plug

In some cases, desperate experimenters try to connect a car radio without a plug, soldering wires to the connector pins. If you assemble the circuit without errors, then the radio will, of course, work. But the reliability of such a connection is very low.

At best, such experiments lead to periodic mutes. At worst, there may be a short circuit of the fallen power wire to the housing with unpredictable consequences.

In 1959, Blaupunkt-Werke released its millionth car radio - the best proof that radio had become truly accessible.

Igor Syroedov

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Alternative ways to connect power to the radio

In standard mode, the +12 V supply voltage is supplied to the radio via two wires. Red (signal circuits) is connected to the battery through the ignition switch. The presence or absence of voltage on it is determined by the position of the key.

The yellow wire constantly powers the radio's memory, where all settings are stored. Therefore, it is constantly connected to the positive terminal of the battery directly. When the battery is disconnected from the vehicle's on-board network, the individual settings of the head unit are lost. If there is control voltage at the signal input (red wire), +12 V from the yellow wire is supplied to all blocks of the device.

Some vehicles have a lock position marked ACC. In this mode, the ignition is turned off, but power is supplied to individual devices, including the red wire of the radio.

If there is no ACC mode, the signal wire is connected together with the ignition. In this case, the radio will not be able to work autonomously.

The need for alternative power connection schemes arises when the owner wants to use the radio without turning on the ignition.

Connecting the radio to the battery, bypassing the ignition switch

Connecting the signal (red) power wire directly to the battery positive (in parallel with the yellow one) will ensure that the radio can be turned on at any time, regardless of the position of the key in the ignition switch. To minimize the consequences of short circuits, a separate fuse is included in the circuit.

Connecting a radio via a button

It should be remembered that even when turned off, the radio consumes the energy necessary for memory operation. Current consumption may increase due to leakage if the red power signal wire is constantly connected to the battery, which negatively affects the battery charge level during prolonged periods of inactivity.

The simplest way to eliminate this drawback is to include a button or toggle switch in the circuit, which forcibly breaks the control circuit.

Automatic power off of the radio when the alarm is turned on

More complex ways to save energy when connecting a radio, bypassing the ignition switch, involve the use of relays that respond to the activation of the car's security alarm.

In the diagram above, the relay that turns off the power to the radio is triggered by a command coming from the alarm unit.

There are many other similar schemes. The choice of a particular option depends on the signaling capabilities.

Connecting the radio to the cigarette lighter

Connecting the radio to the cigarette lighter is a type of direct connection to the battery, bypassing the ignition switch.

When connected via a plug, the red and yellow wires are connected together. For long periods of parking, it is better to disconnect the plug from the cigarette lighter. This will save battery power, but will lead to loss of radio settings.

Turning on the head unit via a plug makes it difficult to use the cigarette lighter for its intended purpose. The disadvantage is eliminated by connecting the radio without a plug directly to the wires of the cigarette lighter socket.

The red and yellow wires of the radio connected together are connected to the red wire of the cigarette lighter, which is supplied with +12 V from the battery. If the head unit is not protected by a built-in fuse, it will not hurt to install an additional one in the power circuit.

Some people are misled by the similar color coding of the radio and cigarette lighter wires. Without thinking, they are connected red to red, yellow to yellow. The radio will turn on anyway, but using the signal lights will disrupt normal operation.

The head unit consumes a current of about 10 A. A fuse of approximately 15 A is installed in the cigarette lighter circuit. You should check the current values ​​and fuse ratings in the technical documentation before connecting the radio to the cigarette lighter. It is possible that the fuse will not withstand the additional load when the radio and cigarette lighter are turned on together.

Connecting the radio via diodes

Diodes are used when there is no ACC position in the lock so that the radio does not turn off along with the ignition.

The diagram for supplying power to the control input of the radio through diodes is shown in the figure. The yellow main power wire is connected, as usual, to the battery positive. Red (power supply for control circuits) - to the anodes (pluses) of two diodes. The cathode (minus) of one of them is supplied with power through the ignition switch. The cathode of the second is connected to the blue wire - the ANT+ contact of section A of the ISO connector - of the radio or (if available) to the REM signal output to turn on an additional amplifier.

After turning on the ignition, +12 V is supplied to the ACC input via the red wire through the lock and the first diode. The radio turns on, voltage appears on the blue ANT+ wire and goes through the second diode to the ACC input.

Now the head unit will remain on even if the ignition is turned off. You can turn off the radio using the built-in controls. To turn it on again, you will need to turn the key in the ignition switch again.

Video: connecting a radio via diodes

Connecting a second (additional) radio

Two radios in a car are not a typical case. As a rule, if the owner is dissatisfied with the quality or capabilities, he changes the head unit to a new one. But when the standard radio does not just reproduce sound, but also performs other important functions for the car, it is difficult to find a full-fledged replacement.

Some owners prefer to solve the problem not by replacing, but by installing an additional device. In this case, it remains possible, for example, while playing music on the new radio, to use the on-board computer and listen to the radio using the old one.

When installing an additional radio, you have to solve two main problems: placing the second device in the cabin near the driver's seat and connecting the speakers independently.

Not all car models have free space in the console for additional devices. Therefore, for the sake of the second radio, they sacrifice low-value cavities: coin drawers, compartments and shelves that are in the area accessible to the driver’s hands. Often you have to adjust holes in plastic parts or cut new ones. Sometimes special podiums are arranged. Unfortunately, an extra device does not always fit organically into the interior of the cabin.

Gallery: examples of placing an additional radio in the car interior

Installed on the dashboard, the additional radio attracts attention 2 DIN seat allows you to place two 1 DIN radios The radio in the glove compartment is invisible, but it is not very convenient to use Sometimes to install an additional radio you have to cut out additional holes

If connecting the power to the second head unit is not fundamentally different from the case with one radio and usually does not cause any special problems, the acoustics require more attention.

Speakers cannot be connected in parallel to both devices at once. This significantly reduces the sound quality and can easily lead to malfunction of the final stages of the radio. Speaker systems must be connected one by one, that is, switch between outputs manually or automatically.

To implement this method in practice, various automotive relays are used. One of the possible schemes with manual control of switching acoustics using a button is shown in the figure.

Removing and installing the radio

Before installing a new one, you need to remove the old factory radio. The sequence of actions required for this may differ depending on the car model. The exact description can be found in the manufacturer's service instructions.

The first radio and tape recorder with stereo sound was introduced in 1969 by Blaupunkt, and another 3 years later they released the first stereo radio.

Igor Syroedov

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Typically, the radio is held in place by two or four plastic latches. Access to them opens after removing the decorative frame covering the gaps around the radio. To release the latches, use special pullers in the form of strips or pins. You can purchase them, or use homemade devices.

When removing the radio, be careful and do not apply significant force. If the device does not come out, it means that one or more latches are not yet open or some extraneous obstacle is preventing the movement. Brute force will not help matters; it will rather harm.

Removing the radio

To remove the radio you will need:

  • pullers or homemade devices that replace them;
  • thin screwdriver;

List of operations for removing the radio

  1. Before starting work, de-energize the vehicle by disconnecting the battery.
  2. Using a thin screwdriver or knife, remove the front panel of the device (if provided for by the design) and the decorative frame.
  3. Insert the flat pullers into the technological holes along the edges of the radio until you hear a characteristic click.
  4. Insert round pullers into the four technological holes along the edges of the front panel.
  5. Using the pullers as levers, carefully lift the radio out of the niche.
  6. Disconnect the cables.
  7. If necessary and if available, remove the metal frame of the radio (sled). When the old and new radios are equipped with the same mounts, there is no need to change the frame.

Video: removing the radio

Installing a radio

To install the radio you will need:

  • screwdriver,
  • side cutters (nippers),
  • adapter from ISO connector to standard connector,
  • decorative frame.

List of operations for installing a radio tape recorder

  1. Check the electrical diagram of the car and the radio to ensure that the connector contacts correspond to the intended purpose. If necessary, move the pins of the connectors to the correct places.
  2. Disconnect the battery by disconnecting the negative terminal.
  3. Remove the old radio.
  4. Install the radio in a metal frame (sled) and try on its position in the console.
  5. Remove the radio and, bending the petals, secure the frame in the intended position. If available, use standard fasteners.
  6. Pull the cables with connectors for connecting the radio from the console out through the frame.
  7. Connect the connectors to the radio. Use adapters if necessary.
  8. Install the radio into the metal frame without fixing the latches. Turn on the battery and check the functionality of the device.
  9. Press down on the radio to secure the mounts.
  10. Place the decorative frame and secure its position by pressing.

Video: installing a radio

To install a radio, it is not necessary to turn to professionals. Doing the work yourself, although it will require preliminary preparation, is within the capabilities of any car enthusiast.

Cars have become a part of our lives and today they are not just a means of transportation, but a place where we spend a lot of time. On the way from work, to work, during vacation and fishing trips, all motorists are faced with such a common phenomenon as traffic jams. During the grueling hours of standing in traffic jams for many hours, there is nothing better than listening to music or watching a movie. Modern radios have everything you need for a comfortable pastime. The cost of such units can range from several thousand rubles to hundreds, and the choice here depends on your financial capabilities. You can save a lot on installing the device if you have at least the slightest knowledge of electrical engineering.

Before installing the equipment, you first need to familiarize yourself with the standard dimensions of the radio, which may differ depending on the selected model of audio installation.

On the box with the radio, many car enthusiasts notice hitherto unseen symbols and designations. For example, a 2 DIN car radio with Android navigation. Everyone knows perfectly well what navigation and Android are, but 2 DIN is less common in life. In fact, there are two sizes of sockets for car radios, namely:

  • 1 DIN - dimensions 178 x 52 mm;
  • 2 DIN - dimensions 178 x 100 mm.

In addition, there are now 1 DIN devices on the market with smaller dimensions of 178 x 52 x 159 mm. Such models are much cheaper due to the fact that they do not have a CD drive, instead of which USB ports are installed on the front panel.

If we talk about the differences in the main standard sizes, then 2 DIN products are equipped with a large display and large buttons. Thanks to this, such radios are easy to control. In addition, such devices often have a large number of functions, turning into full-fledged media receivers.

If you are the owner of a car radio with a retractable display, then most likely the overall dimensions of the device will correspond to the 1 DIN standard. Such devices are distinguished by their compactness, and thanks to the large display, you can watch DVDs in the car, use the Internet or a navigator. 1 DIN car radios with a retractable screen are installed in the same way as other tape recorders. The main thing is that everything is done in accordance with the recommendations given below in the article.

If your car has a 1 DIN car radio socket, but you want to use a more multifunctional device, then there are special adapter frames for 2 DIN car radios on sale.

If we talk about the depth of radio tape recorders, then this value is usually 160 mm, regardless of the standard size. Once you have determined that your radio corresponds to the socket provided by the manufacturer, or you have purchased an adapter frame or made it yourself, you can begin installing the device.

Installation Features

Before starting work, you need to pay attention to the connectors of the car radio and the car. If they don't match, it's okay. Now on the market you can purchase any necessary adapter that allows you to switch from the original speakers to the generally accepted ISO standard. The best car stereo connector is ISO 10487, so if your vehicle has one, the installation process will be much easier.

Before installation, you must purchase a set of all the necessary wires to connect power and speakers. It is better to choose shorter wiring without unnecessary twists. Multicore wires with silicone insulation are considered the most reliable today. In addition, check whether you will need an adapter frame for a 2 DIN car radio.

Healthy! The diameter of the wiring should be 1.5-2 times thicker than that on the car radio connector. Experts recommend using special acoustic wires with a cross-section of 1.5-4 mm square.

After this, you can proceed to the connection.

Marking of wires and their connection diagram

Almost all car radio manufacturers adhere to the same standard for marking input wires:

  • BAT/B+ - yellow wire to the permanent positive of the battery. When connecting, a 10-20A fuse is used;
  • ACC/A+ - red wire to the ignition switch terminal;
  • GROUND/GND - black wire indicating minus or ground;
  • REM - blue or white-blue control wire, responsible for turning on the car amplifier or antenna;
  • ILL - orange wire to the light switch terminal;
  • MUTE is a yellow-black wire responsible for remote muting or completely turning off the sound. If it is not included in the kit, then there is no need to buy such a wire.

There is another connection scheme when the red wire is connected together with the red one. This allows the audio system to operate regardless of whether the ignition key is turned on or off. The only disadvantage of such a scheme is that the tape recorder will always be in standby mode, which has a detrimental effect on battery performance. Its discharge rate can increase significantly.

For the radio output, the following wires are used, going to the speakers. They always come in pairs:

  • FL- and FL + - minus and plus of the rear speaker (white wires);
  • FR- and FR+ - minus and plus of the front speaker (gray wires);
  • RL- and RL+ - minus and plus of the left rear speaker (green wires);
  • RR- and RR+ - minus and plus of the right rear speaker (purple wires).

In each pair, one wire will be plain, and the second will have a black stripe. Striped means minus. Carefully read the color scheme of your radio and follow the sequence of wires.

Connecting speakers

The process of connecting speakers requires special attention, so be sure to check the instructions. Usually there are plus and minus markings on the speaker terminals. Most often, the wide terminal is positive, and the narrow terminal is negative. If your car does not have such markings, use the simplest tester - a battery. Connect its + and - to the speaker terminals and if the diffuser moves outward, then you have determined the phasing correctly.

There is another way to determine phasing. To do this, transfer all audio to one of the front speakers and increase the volume to maximum until there is noticeable sound distortion. Balance the sound by evenly distributing the volume between the left and right speakers. If the phasing is done correctly, the overall volume will increase noticeably. If the sound does not become louder or the changes are barely noticeable, this indicates incorrect phasing and the need to swap the wires on one of the speakers. You can also check the rear speakers in the same way.

Important! Be sure to carry out a test, since if you connect incorrectly, you risk losing up to 80% of the sound quality or completely destroying the radio over time.

If your radio has low power, then it will only be equipped with positive wires for each speaker. In this case, the minus of the speakers is connected to the common minus of the audio installation.

You will know that the radio is connected incorrectly or in an “undesirable” way by the following signs:

  • when parked, the battery will discharge very quickly, to such a state that it will be impossible to start the car;
  • while listening to music, you will notice that the tape recorder constantly “stutters”, and when the volume increases, the car radio “turns off by itself”;
  • When the power is turned off, all settings disappear.

If you notice such problems, it is better to check that all wires are connected correctly.

Antenna connection

To connect a passive antenna, simply plug its plug into the corresponding socket. If you are installing an active device, then things are a little more complicated. The fact is that in this case you need to supply power to the antenna. Usually this can be achieved using the blue REM wire, which either comes with the radio or is prepared by you in advance.

Other possible contacts

You may also encounter other markings on the product, so it will be useful to know them:

  • AMP - contact responsible for turning on the power to the external amplifier;
  • DATA IN/OUT - data input/output;
  • LINE IN/OUT - linear input/output;
  • ACP+/- - bus lines (most often used in Ford cars);
  • AUDIO/R/L COM - common wire (ground), responsible for input/output for preamplifiers;
  • SEC IN - additional input;
  • ALARM - used to connect an alarm system (very often present in PIONEER radios);
  • D2B-/D2B+ - optical communication lines.

In custody

If for some reason you need to remove the radio, this can be done very simply. First, press the RELEASE button and unclip the front control panel. Next, using two flat keys, pull the radio out. As you can see, installing a car radio with your own hands, the video of which you will find below, does not require much time and effort, the main thing is to do everything according to the appropriate connection diagram.

Content:

Modern cars are equipped with a developed audio system, including a radio, an audio player equipped with disk drives and USB inputs for listening to music from external media. The most complete configurations in this regard usually contain a video player and a navigator with a screen of 7–8 inches. In addition, there is Bluetooth, through which you can connect a smartphone and, during a trip, connect with subscribers and talk without looking up from the helm. At the same time, the musical component is immediately modestly dulled in mute mode. Of course, speakers, a stereo system that sounds both from both sides - from the speakers installed in the doors, and from the rear.

So, full-sounding music, and even in the enclosed space of a car showroom, which, with the current design, has a completely musical form like a guitar soundboard, richly resonating at different frequencies and in different directions, turns practically into a small philharmonic hall on wheels. Especially when you consider that companies that produce modern cars and take care of its maximum comfort also design acoustic parameters for the most complete sound across all the usual frequency ranges - medium (conventional speakers), high (high-frequency speakers "peepers", low - low-frequency speakers, subwoofers. Ride along listening to enchanting sounds during a long trip. Or relaxing in nature. Or fishing. Or spending the night on a camping trip somewhere on the shore of a quiet lake, or in a small cozy mountain valley with quietly murmuring waterfalls...

Music is a part of our lives, so many who bought a car without this essential addition may very soon feel a certain vacuum of sound content. And for this reason, they can begin to search for an acceptable solution. Of course, if you are not complete fans of the surrounding undisturbed primordial nature, to which only wild nature sings.

Of course, since the time has come to add audio equipment to the car’s equipment, then it must be integrated into the entire technical complex accurately and organically.

Electrical network of the machine

The overall electrical network of a car, of which the car radio connection diagram is part, previously simply called the “ignition system,” has long become much more intricate and expansive. Its tasks are:

  1. Start the engine from the battery.
  2. Supply the voltage required by the engine during operation (ignition).
  3. Recharge the partially discharged battery from the generator, which has begun to produce voltage.
  4. While driving, power the energy supplied by the generator and lights (headlights, turn signals, brake lights...).
  5. Ensure the operation of the instruments on the panel.
  6. Power up additional equipment.

Two points are important in her work:

  1. When the car is parked with the engine turned off, the power source is the battery, which tends to discharge. Therefore, it must be used at this time in such a way that there is energy left to start the engine.
  2. When starting the engine, a large direct current is supplied to the starter from the battery, which very intensively discharges the battery, and, in addition, can produce large voltage pickups in the entire electrical circuit. For this reason, all other equipment, including the power supply to the radio, must be turned off at this time to avoid burnout.

These points are taken into account during the factory production and installation of the car's electrical equipment, so to connect something new, in particular, a car radio and speakers, it is good to use the connectors already available for this, rather than pulling wires directly from the battery. In addition to the danger of damaging the radio, there is a risk of discharging the battery while parked, since the connection diagram of the radio may be as follows: during a normal power off, the amplifier may be energized at idle, which is why, after a long period of parking the car in the garage, you may suddenly find that it is completely discharged battery.

How to connect a car radio

The standard radio equipment is connected to the car electrical network under the dashboard, which is what you need to use. Even if the purchased car is not equipped with a radio, the connector for its connection is currently installed on all cars. If it is missing (for an old car), you can purchase it yourself and, knowing how to properly connect the radio, do it yourself, using the markings of wires and contacts.

The connector is made according to the international ISO standard.

It includes car radio connectors:

If the radio connector is different, then it may come with wires, namely an adapter, for example, like this

If the car connector (on an old car) differs from the standard ISO, then adapters are also sold, for example for Mazda 2001.

By combining them, you can also achieve success. Please note that in the figures above, one of the ISO connectors is “female”, the other is “male”. By plugging them into each other, we get wires for a non-standard car radio for an old car.

The connector consists of two sections - A and B. Section A (black) is for power wires, section B (brown) is for signal wires. 12+ only yellow is considered the input power wire. Blue supplies 12+ power to the antenna, and red serves to open the circuit when the ignition is turned off. Black - mass.

On the left is the “mother”, the wires from which go to the car’s circuits, and on the right is the “male” wiring, which comes from the radio. That is, the wiring on the “mother” will be mirrored in relation to the wiring on the “father”.

Here the main power goes from the battery through the yellow wire to pin A4 of the black block. It never opens. And there is also battery power, but via the red wire. It goes through the ignition key, and when the car is turned off, the radio will not work either. This, of course, makes sense - taking care that the battery does not run out while parked. But there is also some inconvenience. We stopped for a picnic, but the music is as silent as a fish.

You can overcome this if you make a branch from the red wire to the yellow one and install a small switch on it. Then the main mode of operation will be with the usual opening after turning off the ignition key, and if you click the switch, the radio will work in the parking lot. To disconnect the red wire from the yellow one, you can come up with a special relay that resets this switch when the ignition key is turned on. This way we will ensure the correct connection and safe condition of the battery in the garage, even if we wanted to listen to the radio when the engine was not running on a trip, and then forgot to turn off this lever.

If there is no such relay, it doesn’t matter; when parking the car for a long time (in the garage, near the house), it will be enough to manually open the switch.

The brown block contains contacts that transmit an audio signal to the car speakers:

  • white - to the left front (FL), B5, B6;
  • gray - to the right front (FR), B3,B4;
  • green - to the left rear (RL), B7, B8;
  • purple - to the right rear (RR), B1,B2.

Wires of the same color are positive, wires of the same color with a black stripe are negative.

To connect the car radio, the diagram is shown below

Sequencing

  1. Studying car wiring. Searching for an answer to the question: what is already in the car and is there a ready-made connection for the radio? Deciding what actions need to be performed, what missing parts to purchase and install.
  2. Preparing for installation. The covers are removed, freeing access to installation sites (for example, speakers or speakers). The places for laying the necessary cables and connecting the speakers are being prepared. The necessary fittings for fastening are being prepared.
  3. The installation site for the radio is being prepared. This may be a regular place, or you need to come up with something special. Previously, in old cars, the tape recorder was often mounted on some kind of brackets held on by self-tapping screws. But now, thanks to widespread unification, there is a chance that the radio will fit right away or with a little modification to its standard location. And connecting it will be a matter of two minutes.
  4. We connect the wiring. When connecting, we pay special attention to the integrity of the wires, the quality of the contacts - at low voltage this is of significant importance - and insulation. We always remember that one of the supply wires - red, yellow or blue - is insulated, and the second wire - black (ground) - is actually bare - this is the entire metal part in the car. This is not scary for us, but for a battery, short circuiting its wires is very unsafe. And, most importantly, such an incorrect circuit is a short circuit, leading to instant overheating of the wires and easily to a fire.

Generally speaking, everything is quite simple and accessible to do with your own hands.

Tools and materials

To do this you will need a knife, a screwdriver, and electrical tape. It is advisable to use stranded copper wires. The supply wires can be taken with a larger cross-section - 4 mm, and made into a separate twist. It is better to take the wires that supply the acoustic signal to the speakers from oxygen-free copper, specialized acoustic ones, with a cross-section also up to 4 mm. This is because speaker impedance is low, and most of the amplifier's power can be dissipated in the wiring rather than in the speakers, resulting in poor sound quality and wasted power.

The reliability and quality of the contacts is very important; they must be thoroughly cleaned and soldered. Isolation also plays a big role. Silicone insulation provides beauty, strength and reliability. It is advisable to keep the colors of the wires the same as in the pinout diagram, or choose similar shades, so that there is less chance of confusion.

How to connect speakers

The radio can also operate on its own speakers. But without external speakers connected to the radio, this sound will be a “whisper”. Therefore, the crowning achievement of efforts to install a sound system in a car will be connecting speakers to it, even if they are Chinese.

If the car is not equipped with a radio, then most likely there are no speakers, although modern cars are made in such a way that there is still room for their installation and wiring. So it will tell you the path where you need to insert the speakers. To do this, you will need to remove the front door covers, install the speakers, connect them and put everything back in place. For new speakers, it is often necessary to replace the wiring with a new one that matches them. If so, then it is best to use acoustic wire with a cross section of 2–4 mm 2. And carry it out using the “expensive” old wiring. To connect, it is best to use the speaker connectors and select connectors on the wires for them. Don't get confused with polarity, this is important.