HU Install Frustration

[TwoToneX]

a friend and i went to install my new head unit today (my old one was ripped out and stolen). we got all the power wires hooked up, it turns on and everything just fine. the only problem we're having is the speaker wires. there is another group of wires sticking out that all feed into a grey covering that we thought were speaker wires, but none of them work. we tried connecting all different combinations and none of them got the speakers to go. basically, what are these wires, and where are my speaker wires? am i missing something here?

 

[Alec]

Jared,
Can't really help you except....There's a small stereo installer in Austin that I've used a bunch. He's on West Campus and pretty much works for beans and really helps you out if you take him beer

I don't have his phone number anymore, but can tell you where he's located:
He's on 28th? just West of Rio Grande St. He has a 2 story with the top the apt and the bottom the workshop. He's usually there during the day and also on the weekend in the afternoon (after he sleeps off his hangover)

Great guy, just a bit wacko. Take him a 6 of Bud and tell him Alec with the Explorer sent you!

 

[LStoudenmire]

Not sure from your post, but was the radio that was stolen the stock radio. If so, I believe the wires you are talking about go to the amp. They are smaller guage wires than normal speaker wire.

 

[TwoToneX]

Originally posted by LStoudenmire
Not sure from your post, but was the radio that was stolen the stock radio. If so, I believe the wires you are talking about go to the amp. They are smaller guage wires than normal speaker wire.

Nope, not stock. The same guy that was helping me install this one helped me install the last one, but it was about 2 years ago so we don't really remember what we did. I suspect they are the amp wires as well cause they are smaller guage and different colors than the speaker wires (we looked at those connections after taking off the door panels, but couldn't find where they fed to the dash).

Alec, if it comes to that, I'll be sure to go ask that guy. I was wondering if I should take it somewhere, but I don't know if anyone would just tell me how to do it after looking in there, and I sure don't feel like paying anyone to do it considering the only thing I'm missing is what wires need to go where.

 

[Alec]

Take him a cheap 6 pack and he'll just tell you what to do

 

[MrExplorer]

Sounds like the factory amp still may be in the system and you dont have the trigger lead hooked up to it. Just my guess

 

[LStoudenmire]

I would run new speaker wires and by pass the factory amp. Just run straight from the radio to the speakers.

 

[SCEXPLORER]

Do hink?

Does it make a big difference if you bypass your factory amp and just run off the head unit?

 

[TwoToneX]

Re: Do hink?

Originally posted by SCEXPLORER
Does it make a big difference if you bypass your factory amp and just run off the head unit?

I've heard it does and it makes sense that it would. I got the hu working (stupid me forgot to plug in the amp turn on wire, then just plugged in all the speaker wires) but I plan on just rewiring all the speakers and bypassing the amp because I'm still getting static on the back speakers.

If you want to know more about it, just search for amp bypass or something, I know I've read something about it before...