Screwed up on stereo install, HELP!

[XLRRP]

Hi,

I'm hoping to get some help after messing up my rig. Here's what happened. I installed a Pioneer CD player in my 91 Explorer Sport a few nights ago. When I pulled the old unit out (a Sony cassette player), I discovered that the stock connector had been cut by the previous owner. I was hoping to just buy an adapter and plug the new unit in. No such luck.

I wired it the best I could as the Sony power wire colors didn't match the Pioneer harness colors. The speaker wires were the same and they are fine.

Here's the problem..... When I turn on my headlights, my stereo goes off for about five seconds and then turns back on. Also, I have a Viper alarm system with remote start and when I tried to use the remote starter, it didn't disengage after the engine started. The starter kept turning.

I'm going to unhook the power wires (It has three..... One to the battery (always hot), one hooked to the accessory position (hot when key is on) and one hooked to the headlight dimmer. I don't really care about the headlight one as I don't need to dim the stereo.

What would really help me out is if someone could tell me what the stock stereo wire colors were and what they do. I actually don't need the speaker colors as I'm okay there, but the hot wire colors would really help.

What wire color(s) are always hot?
Which ones are hot when the key is on?

Thanks in advance and hope everyone has a great weekend.

Chris

PS.... I believe my rig came stock with the basic AM/FM/Cassette radio. The window sticker lists the standard features as "Electronic AM/FM Stereo Radio W/Digital Clock"......

 

[Gimp]

See if this one about 1991 owner's manual information from the "List of Useful Threads" forum is helpful:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53224

or, if this info from Eddie Runner's www.installdoctor.com website helps:
http://www.installdoctor.com/Harnesses/Ford-Wiring.pdf (requires Acrobat Reader)

Good luck.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

Not sure about wire colors, but have you tried probing with a multi meter? Its an invaluable tool to have, and you can get them from Radio Shack or Autozone for under $15. Get a digital one.

1) Set the meter to the "DC Volts" setting, and put the black test lead to the outer metal rim of your cigarette lighter socket.
2)Then use the red wire to probe the power lines coming to the radio. With the key off, headlights off, only one should read about 12.5 volts on the meter, its the constant lead. Mark it (i like masking tape and a sharpie).
3) Turn the key to "Acc" and probe the three wires remaining, the one that now has 12 volts is the "on with acc" lead. mark it as well
4) Turn on the tailights. The wire online now is the dimmer circuit.
5) Turn the truck off, headlights off. Put the red test lead to the constant power lead and the black lead to the remaining power wire, if the meter says 12.5 volts, that last wire is your negative ground.

Complicated to type up, 5 minutes of work.

Good luck

 

[XLRRP]

Thanks for the help. The "installdoctor.com" site was very helpful, thanks Gimp!!!

Chris

 

[jeff96]

your best bet would be to go to the junk yard get the stock connector and just solder the wires back together. That way there would be no guessing.

 

[Spdrcer34]

The speaker wire colors given on that 'useful threads' about the 1991 X, is also the SAME colors for the 1992 X.

I searched in all 3 local junkyards for a connector. The only ones I could find NOT cut up were the Premium Sound connectors. I have a Std. Sound Sytem. I had to get a 'donor' harness from a Tempo, and solder it in. On the speaker connector, only 3 or 4 wires were the same. On the Power Connector all but the GROUND was the same.

Interestingly enough, the GROUND wire on the Tempo is RED. And the GROUND on the X is Black/Green. Same gauge wire though. I've just never seen a RED ground in a DC system. I know its just the color of the plastic/pvc coating, but it is strange that Ford would select that color for a GROUND wire.

Ryan

 

[92xlt4x4]

I install systems and if the wires were cut and hung there for a while, you probably blew a fuse or two.

 

[TNR]

See if this one about 1991 owner's manual information from the "List of Useful Threads" forum is helpful:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53224

or, if this info from Eddie Runner's www.installdoctor.com website helps:
http://www.installdoctor.com/Harnesses/Ford-Wiring.pdf (requires Acrobat Reader)

Good luck.

Oh Im gonna print that one, thanks a million for that link to the list!