Installing a car radio with your own hands. Correct installation of the radio in the car, connection diagram

The majority of motorists prefer to listen not only to the sound of the engine, but also to their favorite music while driving. In order to enjoy the hits of popular artists at any convenient time, you need to choose the right car radio and take a responsible approach to the installation process. There are several ways to connect an audio system to a car. We will look at the following:

standard connection diagram;
using the ignition switch;
directly to the battery;
using a button (instead of the ignition switch);
using an alarm.

Features of car radio installation

A well-trained specialist will help you achieve high-quality sound without compromising safety, since even consistent implementation of the instructions does not guarantee high-quality operation of the device. a new device can affect the operation of all electronics in the car.

The latest generations of car radios, depending on the installation method, can be divided into two types: built-in and stationary. The first ones are distinguished by the presence of a removable front part. Despite the rather simple design, the mechanism with a “shutter” protects the radio from theft.

The fixed system is in most cases installed in the vehicle at the factory and is externally part of the dashboard. There are several simple rules that you can follow to avoid problems when installing the radio yourself:

You must read the instructions before installation. Car radios from the same manufacturer may differ in connectors and wire assignments.
When choosing, you should rely on the capabilities of the car. It is worth thinking about the complex operation of the car after installing the radio.
There are some nuances for the Soviet automobile industry. For example, in cars of that time, the power wire is energized in any position of the key body, although the contact is connected after the ignition switch. Because of this, the electrical circuit is momentarily interrupted when the key is moved.
An expensive radio and speakers may not be enough to obtain clear sound if they are connected by cheap or soldered wires.

According to the standard, power for the radio is supplied using a stranded wire with a diameter of no more than 3 mm. A 10 amp fuse will help completely protect the electrical circuit from emergency situations.

Standard connection diagram

Three main wires are responsible for powering the device. Manufacturers mark them with colors and markings. It is necessary to clarify the purpose of each wire in the connection manual, since even the same manufacturer may have different markings on different products. The standard is considered to be:

+12V (yellow)–cable of the main power supply of the radio. Serves primarily for the main amplifier and stores device settings. It is advisable that its length be less than 30 cm in order to connect through a fuse to the battery. Voltage must be supplied to it constantly.
ACC (red)–responsible for turning on the car radio from turning the ignition switch. The main task is to prevent rapid battery discharge. The ACC designation is used for accessories, since it is switched after turning the key and ensures the operation of the heater and radio.
GND (black)–negative wire, which, ideally, is connected to the negative terminal of the battery. In many cases, the wire contact is stripped and connected directly to the car body.
ANT (white)– antenna control wire.
ILL– radio backlight, connected to the dimensions.
The remaining wires are used to connect speakers or specific functions.

Car radio installation process

Regardless of the location - in a service center or garage - the procedure looks approximately the same for most brands of radio tape recorders. The device is inserted into the standard location, bending the fixing metal petals.

The international ISO standard connector is provided on many modern cars. In such a case, the whole task comes down to connecting the contact block of the device to the design connector.
Older cars may have a different connection. In this case, experienced craftsmen use two connection methods. Firstly, it is possible to purchase an adapter and connect the necessary contacts. Secondly, a specialist can “bite off” the connectors on the car and the radio, and then connect each wire separately.
Older cars may not have a corresponding connector for the car radio. To solve this problem, you need to intervene in the factory layout and carefully lay new wires under the interior trim.

In the case of a pre-provided ISO, installation will take only a few minutes. However, to accurately guarantee serviceability, it is better to entrust the matter to a specialist. Lack of proper experience can lead to shorted wiring or a sloppy appearance.

Connection diagram using ignition switch

The standard instructions outline the connection method using the ignition switch. By default, this method is considered the safest and one of the most economical. The radio will turn on only after turning the key in the ignition, thus not discharging the battery.

To implement it, you need to connect the +12V wire directly to the positive terminal, and connect the second positive wire, which regulates the device’s activation, to the ignition switch. GND must be connected to car ground.

After such an installation, it is possible to use the radio only with the electronics turned on or the engine running, which some motorists consider a disadvantage. However, when parked for a long time, you can be sure that the battery charge will be maintained.

Connection diagram directly to the battery

In many cases, it is possible to connect two positive wires. This connection and connection allows you to use the car radio with the ignition off.

It is necessary to leave the GND wire in contact either with the negative terminal of the battery or with the car body with the contacts stripped. The yellow and red wires need to be connected and connected to the positive terminal of the battery.

When directly connected to the battery, the turned off radio consumes 0.2–1A/h. Such an indicator can lead to rapid battery discharge in a few weeks.

Connection method using a button instead of the ignition switch

Connecting power via a button combines all the advantages of other methods. The presence of an On/Off button allows you to freely regulate the flow of current to the device in various conditions.

The black negative wire, as in many other cases, must be connected to the negative terminal. Further actions are similar to installation using the ignition switch. That is, the yellow wire must be connected to the positive terminal of the battery, and the red wire must be connected to the installed button.

In this case, if necessary, the car owner can turn off the power when parked for a long time. The button connected to the battery is standardly located near the radio console. An additional advantage is the independence from the ignition switch.

Installation method using alarm

Using two five-pin relays and several diodes, you can configure the operation of the radio using an alarm. The sound system is blocked automatically after the alarm is turned on - the power to the radio is turned off.

For the correct operation of such a circuit, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the wiring diagram in the car and a detailed illustration of the operating principle of the device and the security system.

Power monitoring using an alarm helps prevent battery current leakage during long-term parking. Such control leaves only memory power in working condition.

Errors when connecting a car radio

The main problems are related to haste and inattention. Most manufacturers mark the connection diagram of their device on the top cover, which must be read before starting work. You need to understand that you shouldn’t do things “by eye” or relying on intuition. Failure to comply with the rules may result in poor sound quality or malfunction of the entire audio system. If you are not sure about something, it is better to seek help from a specialist. It makes no sense to list all possible causes of errors, but here are the main ones:

neglect of insulation and use of artisanal methods of working with electrical equipment;
lack of tools or skills in their use;
desire to save on wires. For example, on the power cable;
use of incorrect wires (wrong cross-section or material);
the desire to do it “in a hurry.”

For long-term and high-quality operation of the audio system in a car, you need to know in detail the structure of the car's wiring and have basic skills in working with electronics. Some tips:

set phasing before connecting speakers;
lay wires, unscrew/tighten bolts, work with the tool slowly and carefully;
do not allow wires to bend;
Upon completion of work, measure the current leakage with a multimeter

use wires in accordance with the markings.

If you decide to do the installation yourself, it’s better to first see how others do it. There are many introductory videos online where experienced auto electricians demonstrate the technology with their own hands.

Our car may change more than one stereo system during its life, due to the fact that it may become obsolete or the owner will have higher requirements for the sound in the car. Perhaps your car doesn’t even have a radio... In general, there can be a great many cases and variations! It is in these cases that information on installing and connecting a radio to a car will be useful and necessary for you. Especially if you decide to do everything yourself. In addition, this article is also for those cases when the radio tape recorder was installed earlier (for example, by the previous owner), but subsequently the history and installation paths became so confused that only a bunch of multi-colored wires stick out from the window under the radio tape recorder, which is difficult to cope with without having certain knowledge. So, our article provides typical solutions for installing and connecting a radio. You can also find information on adapter plugs for connecting radios in cars of various brands.

What sizes are the radio tape recorders used for installation and connection?

The radio tape recorders themselves are, to put it in Russian, single-block and double-block formats (single-din and double-din). Initially, car radios of the 1DIN standard (single-block) were most widespread. However, everyone needs comfort and a big screen. As a result, 2 DIN radios are slowly squeezing 1DIN radios out of our lives.
Many European car manufacturers still offer a niche of 1DIN sizes. These are Renault, Citroen... But American and Japanese, and with them Korean cars, have a large niche for installation from the factory. That is 2DIN.

Also, with the growing availability and demand for multimedia products, the 2DIN radio format is clearly more promising. Take a look for yourself, what do you think is better?

When asked which of these radios to choose for installation, you must proceed from the conditions for the possibility of mechanical installation of such a radio in the instrument panel of the car, as well as from your preferences. We will only give our recommendations in our other article, “Which radio to choose for your car.”
There are also standard devices used for a specific car model. They often have a unique body shape, which makes it impossible to install them on another machine. For an example of installing a radio with a unique housing, see the article “Removing and installing a radio in a Toyota Corolla 150.” Such radios also have their own original plug for connection.
However, there are also running radios. That is, with which there are no difficulties. Let's say such a radio tape recorder "Installing a radio tape recorder in a Lada Granta with your own hands."

Of course, you may ask, what is special about the difference between a radio for a specific car model and a “universal” radio!? It's simple! Most "universal" radios have a standard ISO connection. That is, ISO and mini ISO plugs.

ISO connectors as the basis for connecting most radios

So, we realized that the radio may differ not only in appearance, but also in the connectors used to connect it. If these are unique standard radios, then they will probably need their own plug and pinout. If this is a radio tape recorder purchased for an unspecified car model, then it almost certainly has a connection via ISO plugs.

So what are these “almighty” ISO connectors? They look like this if you look at the back panel of the radio.

These connectors come with matching connectors of their own. In this case, in some cases adapters may be used. That is, when the radio casing has its own uniquely shaped contact-connectors, but ISO plugs are still installed at the other end. That is why we focused on the fact that the ISO standard for radio tape recorders exists as one of the dogmas!
Often you can even find adapters for a specific radio model, be it Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine, Sony, or even the Chinese Mistery, but they will come with an ISO adapter. Actually, this is a generally accepted and fully formed solution at the moment. After all, you can always switch from ISO standard connectors to the connectors you need, that’s the whole point!

Pinout, pin designation on ISO connectors for connecting a radio

So, after we got acquainted with the ISO connector standard, it would be nice to now know which contacts are and what they are responsible for. After all, the best thing about this situation is that there are clearly designated contacts for each electrical circuit. That is, you can easily find out where and what will be connected, which is exactly what we need! It’s enough just to use the picture where there are contact numbers and refer to the table where there is a transcript of these same contacts.

Connector C (yellow section, low signal outputs to the amplifier and its control)
1	Output rear left low signal
2	Output right left low signal
3	Output ground low signal (headset)
4	Front left low signal output (headset)
5	Output right left low signal (headset)
6	Output signal to turn on the amplifier
Connector C (green section, CAN, LIN BUS, steering column joystick)
7	Line input (phone audio signal input)
8	Line input ground, (there may be a signal to an external additional standard display in the car - vehicle display interface)
9	Lin BUS control via 1 wire from the steering column joystick
10	CAN H bus, (may be activated for standard display)
11	Ground (-) (telephone audio signal ground)
12	CAN L bus, (can be telephone ground)
Connector C (blue section, work with video signal)
13	-,(can be CD data from changer input)
14	-,(can be CD data from changer output)
15	-,(can be CD for control)
16	Video input (ground), (can be CD powered from the changer)
17	-,(power supply to CD changer)
18	-,(can be CD audio input ground)
19	Video input signal, works when voltage is applied to section A, pin 1 (could be CD audio left)
20	-,(maybe CD audio right)
Connector B (brown plug, speaker output)
1	Rear right speaker + (lilac)
2	Rear right speaker - (lilac-black)
3	Front right speaker + (gray)
4	Front right speaker - (gray-black)
5	Front left speaker + (white)
6	Front left speaker - (white-black)
7	Rear left speaker + (green)
8	Rear left speaker - (green-black)
Connector A (black plug, radio power supply)
1	from the reverse lamp +12 V to activate the video input, (maybe Speed-Sensitive Volume Control - with increasing speed, the volume increases, may be a MUTE signal)
2	there may be a MUTE signal
3	reserve
4	+12 power supply and memory (yellow)
5	+12 V antenna power or control for the amplifier (blue or blue-white)
6	Backlight + 12 V for dimming, or for backlighting the radio
7	+12 volts control from the ignition switch (red)
8	Ground "-" (black)

What other symbols can be found on the radio?

Actually, there may be other symbols on the radio, each of which is responsible for something different.

DATA IN - data input
-DATA OUT - data output
-Line Out - linear output
-REM or REMOTE CONTROL or Amp - control voltage (Amplifier)
-ACP+, ACP- - Bus lines (Ford)
-CAN-L - CAN bus line
-CAN-H - CAN bus line
-K-BUS - Bidirectional serial bus (K-line)
-SHIELD - Connection of shielded wire braid.
-AUDIO COM or R COM, L COM - Common wire (ground) of the input or output of preamplifiers
-CD-IN L+, CD-IN L-, CD-IN R+, CD-IN R- - Balanced linear inputs of audio signal from the changer
-SW+B - Switches power supply to +B battery.
-SEC IN - Second input
-DIMMER - Change the brightness of the display
-ALARM = Connection of alarm contacts for the radio to perform car security functions (PIONEER radios)
-SDA, SCL, MRQ - Exchange buses with the standard car display. If such a function is supported, it is usually written on the radio - vehicle display interface. Or is there such an icon -
-LINE OUT, LINE IN - Line output and input, respectively.
-D2B+, D2B- - Optical communication line of the audio system

In general, you understand that the whole connection will come down to knowing which contact to connect to what. For those who still want to see the diagram, and not be content with the designation of the plugs, we will provide this opportunity too...

Diagram (electrical circuit) for connecting the radio

From all of the above it follows that the connection of the radio will be carried out according to this scheme. Of course, all connections are made according to the table.

This connection of contacts by color matches most radios, but not all. There are extremely rare exceptions. It seems that this is all, but “everything” in such a matter never happens... After all, there are many nuances that are definitely worth paying attention to.

What is important to consider when installing and connecting the radio

Power supply for the radio

If you did not have audio preparation before, that is, those same ISO connectors under the “dashboard,” then it is better to draw power directly from the battery. If such connectors exist, then there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Especially if you are not going to participate in any sound competitions. So, if you carefully read and watched the article, you already realized that two wires are used to power the radio. It's red and yellow!
The red one is switched off via the ignition switch, marked as ACC, this is the control wire. It serves only to control the power supply of the radio and nothing more. But the yellow one is constantly connected. Yellow is responsible for powering the radio's memory and settings. So that every time you don’t have to set the timbre, the balance of the speakers, look for stations... In addition, the yellow one is also a power one, an increased current is supplied through it when there is power on the red wire.

Now let's think... What will happen to the battery if you do not ensure that the control wire of the radio is disconnected while parked?

Nothing good will happen. One fine day, or maybe not as beautiful as it turns out later, your battery will simply run out. And this means that the red wire still needs to be disconnected. But disconnecting the wire from the ignition switch is not comme il faut. How then can you listen to the radio at a picnic when the ignition is turned off? So why leave the car with the ignition on? Not an option! And here you will have to think about ensuring that there is always power to the red wire until the car is armed against the alarm.

You can install a simple electrical circuit that will connect and disconnect the radio automatically from the alarm.

This diagram for connecting and disconnecting the radio works as follows. We find the lock responsible for opening and closing the doors. And we connect everything according to the diagram. As a result, when the doors are opened, a positive pulse from the solenoid is sent to relay P1, and the relay will operate and actually go into self-retaining mode. Power will also be provided from the battery through relay P2 to power the radio. This is how everything will work for the time being.
When closing, we take a positive impulse to relay P2. In this case, the power supply circuit of relay P1 and the radio will break, the radio will turn off, and relay P1 will go into a de-energized state. That's all! The power supply to the radio will be turned on when disarmed and turned off when armed.

This scheme has one drawback, increased power consumption due to the additional relay P1, which will always be turned on when the radio is running. But the current itself is 60-80 mA, not so critical.

Power supply for the radio's active antenna (amplifier)

Connecting the antenna power is a blue wire, sometimes white-blue. The power supply must not exceed 300 mA. This is a control wire, but not a power wire. Power is supplied automatically after turning on the radio. It turns off immediately after turning off the radio. However, if we say the blue wire is paralleled with the red one when turned on, then the radio will automatically switch on when turned on, as in the diagram above. Using this principle, several more schemes can be implemented by analogy with the one we have already presented. This is a voluminous topic, and we will separate it into a separate article, “Powering the radio when the ignition is turned off.”

Wires for radio speakers

If you did not have a car radio, then in addition to installing and connecting it, you will also have to pull out the speaker wire for the speakers. In this case, we strongly recommend that you consider using specialized acoustic wires with a cross-section of about 1.5-2 mm2.

The wires are cheap compared to the radio, but you will definitely feel a “qualitative leap” from their use. The resistance of acoustics is usually 4 ohms, and the wiring from the acoustics kit will be comparable in resistance to the speakers. Which in turn will entail a significant dissipation of the power of the radio amplifier, precisely on the auxiliary equipment - acoustic wiring, and not on the speakers (acoustics). As a result, the playback volume will decrease and, even worse, the range of reproduced frequencies will also decrease. The peculiarities of HF propagation are that the signal travels only along the surface of the wire skin* (* from English skin, outer surface shell) effect; accordingly, with a smaller diameter of the wire, its throughput to HF will decrease. In addition, I would like to say more about the selection, installation and connection of speakers in a car; you can read about this in the article “Selecting acoustics and speakers for installation and connection in a car.”

Additional information about installing a radio in a car (for those who are weak in electrical engineering)

These recommendations for connecting and installing a radio will be useful for people who have little understanding of the principle of operation of electrical circuits: power source - load. Installation and connection of car radios today has become a professional service, so you definitely need to remember about installation service centers. This is where professional specialists work who are engaged in installation and installation of additional equipment (radio tape recorders, amplifiers, subwoofers). They know all the intricacies of a particular radio model, which allows them to complete the installation in the shortest possible time without loss of quality, with a guarantee of work. This is one of the most important factors that can be decisive when choosing.

At this stage I would like to stop, since for most, installing and connecting additional equipment to the radio, such as an amplifier, subwoofer, rear view camera, and so on, is not an urgent need. But it would be wrong to clutter the article with all kinds of information about the installation and connection of this equipment, since it is better to analyze special cases in each individual subsequent article, especially since there are quite a lot of these cases. As the proverb goes, I would like to separate the flies from the cutlets. If you still have the opportunity and desire to install something more than a radio, read the articles in the Car Audio section of this site.
In addition to this article, you can also read:

Safety warnings when installing and connecting the radio in a car!!! All work on installing a radio in a car should be carried out with the negative terminal of the battery disconnected. After installing the radio, you must carefully check all connections and that they are connected correctly. Then cross yourself and turn it on!

Not every basic configuration of a car of a certain make and model includes a car radio. And even if you purchased a car with a radio, it is far from a fact that you will like it and be of suitable quality. Thus, installing a car radio in your car will never harm you. In fact, this is not difficult to do, all you need is a connection diagram for the radio and desire, as well as the information below.

What types of car radios are there?

To install the car radio yourself, you need to know the purpose of all the plugs and wires at its outputs. In addition, there are two types of radio tape recorders, which differ in format.

A single-block or single-din radio is more common here and in Europe.

Double block or double din are more common in America, Korea and Japan.

A two-block radio is larger in size than a single-block radio, which allows it to incorporate a greater number of multimedia functions.

When choosing and purchasing a car radio, keep in mind that it must match the make of your car.

Learning to distinguish between plugs

The plugs, like most others, have their own markings according to international standards. ISO marking is established for the manufacture and release of car radios and car wiring. If you use this equipment for other than its intended purpose, it will very soon fail.

Each audio manufacturer produces its own adapters to ISO standards, so there are a huge number of different adapter plugs.

How to connect a car radio - use your car brand's own plugs. Each brand of car is characterized by special plugs and adapters, with which you can switch from the original pads to the ISO standard.

If you are the owner of a car with standard wiring, then you do not need to bother with plugs and conductors, but just connect the car radio to it.

Radio installation steps

As you know, the main source of electricity in a car is the battery, but at the same time it can become the radio and speakers. How to connect a car radio without unwanted consequences? First of all, when installing audio equipment, do not allow the positive of the battery to touch its negative or any terminal of the speaker.

Also, you should not be powered by the plus or minus from the ignition switch or cigarette lighter; you always have the radio connection diagram in front of you, so power it from the battery! This will rid the speakers of interference and interference and drive them to full power.

To connect the plus, use a stranded copper wire, as short as possible, with a cross-section of 4 square millimeters or more. It requires a fuse with a rating of 10–20 A and good insulation. Mount it 40–50 cm from the battery terminal. In some cases, the manufacturer independently installs the fuse, which is very convenient for consumers.

Also try to find the negative wire as short as possible.

For convenience, you should use terminals with markings or different colors.

When laying wires, try to maintain as much distance as possible from other electricity consumers. Remember, the wires should not be twisted, they should be handled very carefully and carefully. First they are connected to the speakers, and then to the car radio. You should beware of the bare plus one touching anything else. Keep it isolated until you need to power the radio with plus.

How to connect speakers

The process of connecting speakers to the car radio requires special attention. Throughout the installation of the audio system, you should have the radio connection diagram at hand. It shows the correct connection of the speakers, which corresponds to the phases. There are markings on the speaker terminals indicating plus and minus. With its help, you will very quickly and easily figure out where the minus is and where the plus is.

Most often, audio system manufacturers make the wide terminal positive and the narrow terminal negative. Sometimes older cars do not have such markings, so use a regular battery to determine the poles. To do this, connect the plus and minus batteries to the speaker terminals. If the diffuser moves outward, then the phasing is correct; when it moves inward, it is incorrect.

Attention, connecting to the wrong phases leads to an 80% loss of sound quality . First, your speaker will fail, and then the radio itself. Unfortunately, this is the most common mistake made by car owners who installed the audio system themselves. At the same time, there is sound from the speakers, but there is not enough power.

Let's imagine that there is no free battery at hand, how to connect the car radio to the speakers correctly in this case? It’s very simple to turn on the radio and output sound to one of the speakers, turn it up to maximum. Next, distribute it equally across both columns. If the sound power increases, then you did everything right. If this does not happen, change the polarity on one of the speakers. This method is suitable for testing both front and rear and side speakers.

Important: When connecting speakers to the radio, observe the polarity and use insulation!

Wiring selection

The speaker wires of the car radio are also marked. There may be two or four pairs. A single-color wire without a black stripe indicates a plus, the same wire only with a black stripe indicates a minus. The first one is connected to the wide speaker terminal, and the second one is connected to the narrow one.

For a pair of side or front speakers in acoustics up to 20 W, the minus can be common. systems, each channel has its own minus or plus. They must not be swapped or confused! Under no circumstances should you ground the speaker by connecting its negative terminal to the body of the machine. This will result in sound distortion.

Video - Auto acoustics in the car:

Low-power radios with manual radio tuning may include two or four colored wires and not a single pair with a black stripe. In this case, the negative of all speakers is connected to the negative wire of the radio, which is led to the negative of the battery or to the body of the car.

Remember, a short circuit threatens not only to damage the audio system, but also to cause it to catch fire, which is much worse.

When installing a radio at home, it is worth considering that almost every speaker system comes complete with connecting wires. They are not suitable for use in a car and are only needed to test the speakers upon purchase. They are characterized by a small cross-section of 0.25–0.5 square millimeters and will not be able to transmit power from the radio to the speakers without loss. You can use them only if the power of your speaker is 15–20 W and its diameter is 10–13 cm.

For main high-power speakers (40–100 W), special speaker wires with oxygen-free copper are used. They are characterized by a cross section of 1–4 square millimeters. On their transparent insulation you can see arrows pointing in the right direction from the car radio to the speaker.

Isolation is required

High-quality wires must have a good insulating background. It is best if it is made of silicone, as it will not burst in the cold. In addition, make sure that the cross-section of the wires corresponds to the power of the audio system. Lay the wires away from the wires of other consumers. Do not allow them to curl. They are laid closed throughout the cabin.

It is important that the wires do not fray. Limit their availability and do not allow them to come into contact with passengers' feet or luggage. From the door pillar, pull them through the hard cambric. In this case, the hinge should move in the body behind the door pillar. The main thing is that she does not make movements between the door and the counter!

How to position the speakers

It is very important when installing high power main rear speakers that they are placed correctly. For example, high-power oval speakers should be installed on the rear parcel shelf so that the short axis of the speaker is directed diagonally across the car, namely the rear right - and the rear left - towards the passenger. Only after correct placement begin to connect the speakers to the radio.

For good sound, do not cover the speakers with boxes or crates. They need space, and quite a lot of space.

Place tweeters or, as they are also called, “tweeters” on the windshield pillars. The quad effect will be very bright if they are far enough away from the woofers. Direct the sound from the driver's tweeter to the passenger and vice versa.

When installing the speaker system in the cabin, carefully, carefully and securely fasten the wiring.

Video - installing a car radio using the example of Daewoo Lanos:

Let's sum it up

So, it is absolutely possible to install the car radio yourself. At the same time, you won’t spend too much time, but...

The main thing to remember:

use only insulated wires;
carefully read the radio connection diagram;
lay the wires carefully, without bending or twisting;
Before connecting the speakers to the radio, set the phasing;
Use marked wires only for their intended purpose.

If you strictly follow the above instructions and tips, you will definitely do everything right. If you doubt your abilities, either call a knowledgeable friend, or go to a car repair shop.

Almost all modern cars are equipped with audio systems. Thanks to the presence of a car radio, the process of driving a car becomes more comfortable. Installing a radio is a procedure that many car enthusiasts encounter, which is usually associated with the driver’s desire to install a better audio system.

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Radio format

Before you get a new head unit, you need to consider that there are two types of radios - 1 DIN and 2 DIN. This format is determined by the size of the device, the corresponding seat for installation of which is located in the center console of the car. That is, the system can be either single-block or double-block.

If we compare the functionality, then, of course, 1 DIN devices are significantly inferior in this regard to 2 DIN car radios. Today, in European countries, the first options are more popular, while in America and Japan, motorists everywhere use 2 DIN receivers. Our compatriots have recently also increasingly given preference to the latter, this is due to the desire to get a more functional device. With the help of a 2 DIN system, the driver can not only improve the basic parameters in general, but also be able to broadcast television channels, as well as watch movies on the screen.

Photo gallery “Types of audio systems”

ISO plugs

Connecting speakers

An equally important aspect is connecting the speakers; for this it is important not to confuse the phases. How can I connect the speakers myself after installing the radio? It’s very simple - the terminals of the speakers are marked, a wider output is a plus, and a narrower one is a minus. If you have an older car and there are no markings on the terminals, then it can be determined using a regular battery. To do this, the speaker terminals should be connected to the positive and negative contacts of the battery. If the connection was correct, the diffuser will move outward; if not, then inward.

If you make mistakes when connecting speaker phases, you can lose about 90% of the sound quality. Ultimately, such a connection can cause failure of not only the speakers, but also the head unit.

If you don't have a battery, there is another option:

activate the audio system at full volume;
output sound to one of the speakers;
then the sound must be distributed over two speakers, 50% for each, so you can bring the balance to zero;
if in the end you notice that the sound power, as well as the bass, has become higher, then you did everything correctly, but if there are no changes, then most likely you need to change the polarity (the author of the video about connecting an audio system yourself is the Pro Auto32 channel).

Selection of wires

As for the wiring, it is also marked. The positive wires are painted in a single color, and the negative wires are the same color, only with a black stripe. That is, a single-color cable must be connected to the wide output on the speaker, and a cable with a stripe must be connected to a narrow terminal. The negative terminal for a pair of speakers that are located on the sides or rear can be common if we are talking about an audio system with a power of up to 20 W.

If the system power is higher, for example, 30 W per channel, then polarity must be observed. Under no circumstances is it allowed to tangle the wires in places, or to expose the negative contact to the vehicle body for grounding. This can cause a significant loss of sound power, as well as distortion. If you purchased a low-power audio system, it may have two or four speaker cables with a positive terminal and none with a negative terminal. In this case, the negative contact of the column should be connected to the main negative one, it should be connected to the car body or to the corresponding battery terminal (the author of the video is the AutoAndElectronics channel).

It is also necessary to take into account that almost all audio systems in the kit have connecting wiring, which is for testing and not installation. Due to the fact that the cross-section of such cables is too small, usually no more than 0.5 mm2, such a wire simply cannot transmit all the necessary power without loss. The use of such wiring is relevant with speakers whose power is no more than 20 W, and the diameter of the devices is no more than 13 cm. If we are talking about more powerful speakers from 40 W and above, and their diameter is more than 16 cm, then in this case Only special speaker cables should be used for connection.

Insulation on wires

Remember that the contact insulation must be at the highest level, as this will ensure the most efficient and trouble-free operation of the audio system as a whole. It is necessary that the insulation on the connection cables be silicone, since this material, unlike insulating tape, is not subject to change due to exposure to low negative temperatures.

To ensure the highest quality sound, in addition to high-quality insulation, you should consider a few more points:

the wires should not be twisted as they should be as short as possible;
Laying cables near other voltage consumers is not allowed so as not to cause interference;
Also, when laying, please note that the cables should not rub against each other, as this will lead to deterioration of the insulation;
When laying wires in doors, the cables should be laid through a special cambric.

Video “Visual instructions for installing a car radio with your own hands”

What nuances should be taken into account during installation and what mistakes should not be made - visual installation instructions are described in the video (the author of the video is the Maxim Sakulevich channel - About other things and about miscellaneous things).

If you are a true car enthusiast, then a car is for you not only a way to quickly move from point A to point B, but also a second home where it is always pleasant to be. One of the reasons that keeps young people driving around the city without any specific purpose or destination is music. Just driving along the roads of a city at night, enjoying the sounds of your favorite music, is quite an ordinary thing for those who have a really high-quality sound system installed in their car. It doesn’t matter if you are also a lover of high-quality music, but the budget for purchasing and installing a car radio is not too large. In this article you will learn how to properly connect a car radio in your car without the help of specialized services.

Selecting a car radio

Today, the problem of choosing a car radio does not seem to be as big a task as it was a few years ago. In recent years, a huge number of worthy companies have appeared that offer really high-quality radios at an affordable price. Finding an interesting option in price-quality ratio is really not a problem, so the only question that remains to be decided is which car radio will be installed in your car.

As a rule, modern radios are divided into two parts. These are single-din, or as they are also called, single-block, and double-din. The first option is most common in our country and in Europe. Two-block radios are most popular in countries such as Japan, America and Korea. The main difference between each type is only in their size. Double-din radios are twice the size of single-din radios, which allows manufacturers to make models with a larger touch screen, as well as introduce more multimedia functions.

It doesn’t take long to choose the size of a car radio, because if you own a car with a 1-DIN radio, then installing a double-din version simply won’t work. However, some car enthusiasts manage to reorganize the space so that the 2-DIN type option still fits on the front panel. But this is a topic for a separate article, and now let’s talk about how it is possible to install a car radio with your own hands.

How to properly connect a car radio

After choosing a car radio, you can begin the process of installing it. As a rule, there are no problems during installation if you have purchased a radio of the size you need, which is ideal for your car. In order to mount the car radio in its rightful place, it is enough to insert it into the slot provided for this purpose and fix it, depending on the features of the device. Most modern models are secured with metal petals located around the perimeter. They bend back and securely fix the car radio. However, there is no need to talk for a long time about how to install a radio in a car, because most often instructions are included with the device.

The fun begins when you connect a new device. This is where most questions arise. The main thing is not to be scared, because installing a car radio with your own hands is not difficult if you know what and how to do. That is why we move on to theory.

As a rule, most modern car radios are equipped with a standard ISO connector. New cars are equipped with exactly the same connector, so there shouldn’t be any big problems with the connection. The whole connection ends with connecting these two plugs together and enjoying the music.

But how to properly connect a car radio in a car that does not have an ISO plug? Unfortunately, there are also older models that actually provide a different way to connect the car radio. But don’t be upset, because to install and connect the car radio, you need to find the right connector in the store and use the instructions to connect the radio to the car.

Car radio connection typeISO

When all the necessary tools are ready for work, you can start connecting. Next, we will look at how to properly connect a car radio with an ISO connector. A special diagram will help us with this, on which you can see which wires are responsible for what and where they go. So, for example, on the left side of the diagram the power connection for the car radio is shown, and on the right is the output to the speakers.

Let's start with connecting the power, since it is at this stage that most mistakes are made. Three wires are responsible for powering the car radio, each of which performs a specific function.

Yellow wire for 12V

This wire is the main one, since it is responsible not only for powering the built-in amplifier, but also for saving the car radio settings. When connecting it, you must use a 10 amp fuse, and the approximate length of the wire should be 30 cm. In addition, yellow wires marked B+, BU or BATT are very common. They can also be used.

Red wireACC

This wire is responsible for controlling the power of the car radio. Simply put, power will be supplied to the radio only when the ignition key is in the desired position. Surely you have noticed more than once that when you turn the key to the ACC position in the car, the stove, cigarette lighter, radio and other devices start up.

Black wireGND

The wire marked GND is connected to the negative terminal of the car battery. Some car enthusiasts prefer to connect it to the car body, but this is only relevant in cases where the car radio has low power. It is also very important when connecting the GND wire to the car body to thoroughly clean the connection point, thus ensuring good contact.

When the car radio is provided with power, you can proceed to the output to the speakers. For this purpose, there are also special wires that are laid to one or another column:

Front Left (FL) – front left speaker
Front Right (FR) – front right speaker
Rear Left (RL) – rear left
Rear Right (RR) – rear right

It is worth noting that some car radios have not only wires like FL, FR, and so on, but also so-called tulip connectors. If your speakers are equipped with these types of connectors, you can use them for connection. Otherwise, you need to know which other wires are responsible for what.

White wireANT

The wire with this marking is responsible for controlling the car radio's antenna. Depending on the signal quality, it supplies power to the internal active antenna or to power the external antenna.

Wire with markingsILL (Illumination)

The color of this wire may vary depending on the manufacturer. Most often this is a light pink or yellow version of it. The wire marked ILL is connected to the side lights, to positive. It’s easy to guess that it is responsible for the car radio’s backlight.

MUTE

Responsible for muting the sound when a button is pressed.

Parking line

Connects to handbrake. Necessary in order to prevent the driver from turning on a movie while the car is in motion.

If everything was done correctly, then when you turn on the car radio, everything should work. We hope that we were able to answer the question of how to properly connect a car radio.