KDC-MP425 In 1996 Explorer, No Sound Issue

[Xanthis]

I'm installing a Kenwood KDC-MP425 CD/MP3 into my Ford Explorer 1996. The SUV doesn't have JBL, just a regular cassette/stereo.

I went to a Fry's store here in Atlanta to pick up the receiver which he then recommended a harness by Metra. Specifically, the 70-5600 model which is labeled "Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Premium Sound System 1995-98"

So I begin wiring the speaker and power harness to the wires on the unit, then proceeded to plug the harness to the power and speakers which were originally connected to my old radio.

I turn the ignition on, and lights and radio functions which is a good sign. The first go around, then after a few minutes of poking around to see if I can get sound, the fuse blows out for the speakers. I replace the fuse and been playing with the unit since to get the sound to come on.

I remove the unit and replace it with my old radio, sound comes on just fine. I double check my wiring 6-8 times to make sure. I check the volume control and volume offset on the receiver.

Now I'm stumped. Is there something I'm missing? Do I need an amplifier? Isn't the harness from Metra suppose to run the sound through the car's amp? Is it's possible that my wires got crossed? Though I've tried to isolate the left and right channels, then front and back speakers to see if I could make any noise. What else can I do?

Also, I notice some sort of plug right under my steering wheel. Does anyone know what that is for?

 

[Xanthis]

To add to the original post, in the back of my original factory stereo are two harnasses. One appears to be controlling the power, ground, etc. which is rectangular in size, the other appears to be handling just the speakers which is more squarish in size. The speaker harnass is black and the power harnass is grey. I may take a digital picture if it helps...

I've read in another post that I might need to by pass the amp. I'm not sure if I have an amp, and if I do, I read that it's in the rear behind the plastic on the passenger side. Seems a bit tough to get to it, so I was wondering if there is an alternative?

This is a picture of Metra harnass I talked about earlier. All the speaker wires matched up the HU.

I just don't know if I need anything more to get the speakers going... Thanks in advance.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Yeah, you have the amp. It needs to be bypassed or powered. I've done both and being bypassed was way better. Taking the panel off isn't that bad, and is worth the increased SQ. The plug under the wheel is for the OBDII scanners.

 

[Xanthis]

Thanks. I bought the by pass cable from Fry's Electronics, but turn out that my particular harness is unique. They didn't have any other harnasses, so I went to Best Buy. The guy told me that it would require rewiring speaker wires to get it to work. So, I went back to Fry's Electronics Mobile Installation to get a 2nd opinion. After I explained my issue, he simply smiled and said that because I didn't have power antenna, I could connect the power (blue/white) wire to the amp power. He explained that I'm not getting any sound becaue my factory amp needed power. So as I soon as I got the advice, everything worked like a charm. I didn't realize the clarity I could get from a new HU with standard AMP and speakers.

So hopefully this helps anyone else with similar problems...

 

[gdogkzo]

If you like the sound of that, go all they way and bypass the amp. You won't believe the difference it makes. I ran them both ways. Powered (before I got the harness) and then bypassed as soon as I went back and got a harness. You wont believe the incredible sound improvement!