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Replacing stock head unit w/ aftermarket stereo

wayne8176

New Member
Joined
April 15, 2006
Messages
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City, State
stevi, mt
Year, Model & Trim Level
97 xlt
OK. I have a 97 explorer, 4dr. xlt with a cd changer. This is not a question, more of an answer. It took me 2 days to fifure this out, so hopefully it will help someone out there. I looked all over the internet and this site for an answer and couldnt find an answer, so I hope this saves someones sanity.

First let me say that this applies ONLY to models with a cd changer as the wiring is completely different on models without. I cut the plug off the factory harness and no matter what I did, I couldn't get anything to come out of the speakers. This drove me up the wall, because I knew the speakers were good, i knew the stereo was good, yet I still had nothing. Afetr some research, I figured out that the dark blue wire in the harness was for a function called logic mute. As there are a lot of wires that will be unused, I didn't think much of it. Also, I discovered that these models have hidden in the rear of the rig, an amplifier. Dont bother looking for it, you dont need to. not for this problem anyway. To make a long story short, put 12 volts to the dark blue wire (I used keyed hot so it didn't create a draw) and you're home free. Here is the color codes for the speakers:

LEFT FRONT NEG.- WHITE/ORANGE
LEFT REAR NEG.-YELLOW
RIGHT FRONT NEG.-BROWN
RIGHT REAR NEG.-LIGHT BLUE
LEFT FRONT POS.-LIGHT GREEEN
LEFT REAR POS.-LIGHT BLUE/BLACK
RIGHT FRONT POS.-WHITE/RED
RIGHT REAR POS.-PURPLE/WHITE
 



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Yes, I figured that one out the hard way too.
 












i am looking to install an after market head unit into my 98 explorer sport and i wanted to know if a wiring harness existed that will make it possible to use the rear passenger controls with my new radio
 






info has been posted here about factory amps and such. or asking could've saved two days of troubleshooting

i am looking to install an after market head unit into my 98 explorer sport and i wanted to know if a wiring harness existed that will make it possible to use the rear passenger controls with my new radio

a universal steering wheel interface can possibly work as long as the radio you get has a wireless remote if the trouble is worth it to you
 






the logic mute seems like it may work for me.. i am having problems installing an aftermarket head unit into a 96. I bought a harness from best buy, wired it to the head unit and tried it in my 97 and everything worked great. plugged it into my 96 and no sound, i noticed the pin configuration is moved over a position on the plug in and mangled the harness i bought to get the pins to line up and still no sound whatsoever. I cant understand how it works fine in my 97 and not in my 96? My sister took the truck to work so I cant go out and look at it till later this evening, just trying to find some answers for tonight when i get my hands on it. Thanks guys.
 






Oh my god! Thank you so much for this information!!

I spent a whole afternoon/night after work on a Friday trying to figure this out!!

It's now saturday before lunch time and within 30 minutes of reading this thread, I have my new aftermarket head unit hooked up, all speakers running perfectly!

I would still be lost if I didn't find your thread! Can't thank you enough!!
 






Which harness is this wire at I'm at the same point many others have been and I'm lost
 












I used the wiring harness from Walmart, it seemed to be an ok fit, matched up all the wires to my new aftermarked cd player and I am also experiencing no sound. Anyone know what to do when using an installation kit wiring harness?
I do not quite understand what you mean by: To make a long story short, put 12 volts to the dark blue wire (I used keyed hot so it didn't create a draw)
... how do i put 12 volets to the dark blue wire
 






Supply 12volts to the dark blue wire
 






Why was this 'Logic Mute' Put around in these explorer's?

I'm not gonna touch that wire yet, going to try it all without, but if i do got to.. i do know where its at, i'm gonna wire it to the Switched 12V (Yellow/Black) so it won't be running constantly like if it was to be put on the constant 12V (Green/Purple)..
 






Is there and easy way to keep the steering wheel controls for volume and what not?
 












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