How Are Speakers Connected? 1992 Explorer Sport

[SjS]

I have some stereo wiring experience, but the speaker connections have me puzzled.

The '92 Sport has the 2 connectors for the stereo, as shown on page 2 of this pdf: Dead Link Removed (Mine is not the premium system, as shown. I'm just using the pics as a reference.)

The rectangle is for the stereo's power functions. The square is for the speaker connections.

Seems simple enough, right? Not quite.

I'm just doing a head unit install, no amp.

I made all the power connections. The aftermarket stereo powers up fine.

The square connector has 8 inputs. 4+ and 4- for the 4 speakers. I have identified which are + with a voltmeter. But for some reason when I direct wire (no harness) the speakers I cannot get any of them to work.

If I plug the factory head unit back in, everything works fine. Nothing is blown.

What am I doing wrong? Here's my best guess, I could be way off.

The square connector is covered, partially, with metal. The metal does make some sort of connection to a piece of metal on the factory head unit. Is this some kind of ground?

If the metal covering acts as some sort of ground, am I able to bypass it or ground it some other way?

Do I need a wiring harness? If so, where do I find one for the square connector? I have a harness, but it does not include a square adapter, just 2 rectangles.

Thank You.

 

[sjr033]

I have always just used a wire harness. Autozone, Best Buy, Circuit City usually have them. You know what looks like, so just go and find the one that matches.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome

 

[Tbars4]

...This may be of some help...Just remember to make sure your blue wire (amp) is connected or you will get no sound..
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199152

 

[SjS]

1

 

[Tbars4]

...I believe all X's came with a "Factory" installed amp...Your new head unit should have an amp out wire...Connect that to the blue wire in your stock harness...

...Your factory installed amp, even though you do not have the premium set up, will be found behind the passenger side rear window and is accessed by removing the vinyl/plastic interior trim in the cargo area...If you wish you can trace thegrey speaker cable from your head unit to this area...From your amp it comes back out to each speaker..

 

[SjS]

...This may be of some help...Just remember to make sure your blue wire (amp) is connected or you will get no sound..
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199152

If I'm not mistaken, the blue wire is for the amp remote. While it is necessary to connect that when installing an amp, I'm only doing a head unit install, no amp (as stated in original post). If I'm incorrect, then what do I connect the blue wire to, when there is not an amp installed? I'm trying to figure out why direct wiring from the aftermarket head unit to the factory speaker wiring is not working? Once again, no amp, just 8 wires into the square speaker connector.

 

[SjS]

I have always just used a wire harness. Autozone, Best Buy, Circuit City usually have them. You know what looks like, so just go and find the one that matches.

I was hoping to not have to hunt down and pay for a wiring harness, unless it is necessary. There is no reason I shouldn't be able to direct wire the speakers. I am able to make solid connections without a harness. I am able to find which wire goes to what. For some reason, running wires directly from the head unit into the factory speaker wiring is not working. I have done it with a few other vehicles. This is the first I've come across that it is not working.

 

[SjS]

welcome

Thank you and glad to be here.

 

[Tbars4]

...After you are done making several post in this thread, re-read post #6...

 

[Nedwreck]

...I believe all X's came with a "Factory" installed amp...Your new head unit should have an amp out wire...Connect that to the blue wire in your stock harness...

...Your factory installed amp, even though you do not have the premium set up, will be found behind the passenger side rear window and is accessed by removing the vinyl/plastic interior trim in the cargo area...If you wish you can trace the grey speaker cable from your head unit to this area...From your amp it comes back out to each speaker..

Yea... what tbar said.

I've been thru this with 2 explorers, and it's time to hers now. (sigh)

On my newest X, I ran all new speaker wire. It really wasn't hard per se, just time consuming.

There's four Explorers on the property here.. they ALL have that square connector, and amps behind the rear-most right trim panel.

 

[SjS]

...I believe all X's came with a "Factory" installed amp...Your new head unit should have an amp out wire...Connect that to the blue wire in your stock harness...

...Your factory installed amp, even though you do not have the premium set up, will be found behind the passenger side rear window and is accessed by removing the vinyl/plastic interior trim in the cargo area...If you wish you can trace thegrey speaker cable from your head unit to this area...From your amp it comes back out to each speaker..

That sounds like a step in the right direction. I will look into it and let you know how it turns out. Thank You.

 

[SjS]

Yea... what tbar said.

I've been thru this with 2 explorers, and it's time to hers now. (sigh)

On my newest X, I ran all new speaker wire. It really wasn't hard per se, just time consuming.

There's four Explorers on the property here.. they ALL have that square connector, and amps behind the rear-most right trim panel.

I will try to hook into the factory amp. I had considered running all new wire, but like you said, it's time consuming. Thank You.

 

[Cobraguy]

...I believe all X's came with a "Factory" installed amp...Your new head unit should have an amp out wire...Connect that to the blue wire in your stock harness...

...Your factory installed amp, even though you do not have the premium set up, will be found behind the passenger side rear window and is accessed by removing the vinyl/plastic interior trim in the cargo area...If you wish you can trace thegrey speaker cable from your head unit to this area...From your amp it comes back out to each speaker..

Neither of mine do except for the subwoofer...which has no bearing here. In fact, I think it's rare to have an amp. Many JBL system owners THINK they have an amp, but it's not...it's the actual radio back there. If he's dealing with that, then the antenna lead should be at the back unit and not the head unit. He needs a special harness to bring all that to the front.

 

[Tbars4]

...I believe the JBL system is what is considered as the "Premium" sound system and they are different from the stock set up...

 

[Nedwreck]

Neither of mine do except for the subwoofer...which has no bearing here. In fact, I think it's rare to have an amp. Many JBL system owners THINK they have an amp, but it's not...it's the actual radio back there. If he's dealing with that, then the antenna lead should be at the back unit and not the head unit. He needs a special harness to bring all that to the front.

Interesting. I do have a '95 with the JBL sub and stuff, but that's a whole different critter. It also has the 6-disk CD in the console.

The '92's and the '93 here all have a "conventional" (more or less) head unit, and the amp in the back. Only one had the original head, it's cassette... all have an amp though. heh

 

[Cobraguy]

Ahh...I didn't realize we were working on a 1st gen...by bad