| Author |
Message |
    
Greg P
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 11:37 pm: | 
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Does anyone have a wiring diagram for the factory stereo?
I need to know how the amps are connected.
There are enough wires on the gray, tan, and orange plugs to account for all the speakers + and -. I assume these are line level outputs that feed the signal into the amps.
There are two oversize RCA looking plugs labeled subs and main. Are these for the on/off control for the amps?
If a full wiring diagram is not possible can someone tell me for sure which wire is the "Battery" or "Hot", which is the "Acc", and which is the "ground"?
Thanks,
Greg |
Neal Glessner (Nealg)
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 11:54 pm: |
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Do a search on this topic. Someone posted an awesome diagram. |
Greg P
| | Posted on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 12:09 am: |
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The only one I could find was for a VW wiring harness. |
David Dryden (David914)
| | Posted on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 07:55 am: |
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Greg,
A bit of info first, that'll help you decide how to hook things up. The wires at the back of the factory head unit feed a line level (RCA) signal to the amplifier which is located behind and above the passenger side kick panel. The amp then feeds all the speakers from that point. The two "RCA looking" connectors on the back of the factory radio are the antenna connections. The Disco has a diversity antenna system that uses two antennas. When you install an aftermarket radio, just use one of the antennas (it doesn't matter which one). You'll need an adaptor to convert the antenna connector to a standard "Motorola type" plug that'll fit your new radio. As far as connecting the audio, use a head unit with four (LF, RF, LR, RR) line level outs and connect these to the VW harness adaptor (Metra p/n 70-1784). Here's the diagram, let me know if you have any questions.
David |
David Dryden (David914)
| | Posted on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 07:58 am: |
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I hate it when that happens! Let's try again...
 |
Greg P
| | Posted on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 09:03 am: |
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David,
Thanks for the info.
I'm installing a Nakamichi CD-45z. It's rated at 43 watts x 4 channels @4 OHMS. Do you think I should use the factory amp with this or just wire the speakers direct? |
David Dryden (David914)
| | Posted on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 09:28 am: |
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Greg,
It all depends upon whether or not you want to use the factory subwoofers. If you do, then go through the factory amp. If not, then I'd run new wire to each of the four speakers.
I initially installed an Alpine CD head unit in place of the factory radio using the stock amp and speakers. This worked great, but was only temporary as I had planned to install a separate amp and subwoofer (which I have now done). If high quality sound is very important to you, I'd recommend using a good 5 channel amp, a separate subwoofer, and new speakers in the four corners. I'm using an Alpine amp and an a/d/s/ 10" subwoofer that I built a custom enclosure for that fits in one of the rear storage pockets (I don't have jump seats or rear A/C).
In a nutshell, using the factory amp and speakers with an aftermarket head unit works very well and if you're satisfied with the sound and just want to add CD capabilty that's the way to go. If you want to go a step beyond that, you'll need to replace at least the amp and subs (the factory front and rear speakers aren't too bad, and you can step up to something better later on). Let me know if I can help more.
David |
Tate (Tate)
| | Posted on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 10:15 am: |
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David,
I sent you an email, but I figured I'd post here, too. What year is your disco? Mine's a 98. Were your speakers wired directly to ground (in the factory installation), or did they have +/- connections from the amp. In my installation, I think I have a common ground connection from the factory radio to the amp. My current installation bypasses the factory amp and doesn't use the subs, but I'd like to use them if possible. Thanks in advance for the info. |
David Dryden (David914)
| | Posted on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 02:38 pm: |
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Tate,
You've got mail...
In addition, the factory speakers have a floating ground, i.e. NOT grounded to the chassis. The INPUT to the amp has a common ground, but (I haven't verified this on my '97) it too should be isolated from the vehicle chassis. Common just means that the four channels (LF,LR, RF, RR) all share the same ground. Let me know how your install goes!
David |
David Tat
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 05, 2002 - 05:29 am: |
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1999 D1 with a CD Error message and i can't get the 6CD stacker to eject - any brilliant ideas would be much apprec
dt |
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