if anyone can help that will be great. my step daughter's b/f just bought a 89 mustang. the previous owner had a after market stereo in it, and did not use a plug adapter, instead cut the factory plug. i will be helping him install a after market stereo BUT here is the question. does anyone know which wire is what? i have not seen the car yet, so i don't know what the color of wires are. OR would the colors be the same as my step daughters car which is a 89 tempo? thanks for any help you all may and can give.
If I were doing this, I'd use a multimeter to find my constant 12V and my switched 12V, run a different ground wire to the chassis, and run speaker wires myself... it's not too hard to do. However, for the less inclined, you can do what I suggested with the power wires and then try to remove the speakers that are there to get the wiring colors off of them. It'd probably be best to get a wiring diagram though to find the colors to ensure the correct polarity - if you reverse one, it'll sound bad.....
Unfortunately, I have no wiring diagrams available as I usually run amps and new wiring to everything when I install...
JS thanks, i am afraid thats what i am going to do. BUT if i find out that my step daughters tempo has same color wires i may go that route, as i am going to be installing a after market stereo in hers using the plug hook up also another question. i am a GM man and know GM has the mini plug for the ant. does ford also use this? thanks again
Depending on the year of your daughter's Tempo, it should work. What you might want to do is look at the wiring harness that you buy for the Tempo and see if it lists the Mustang as well. If it does, and you have the same color wires going to the factory radio plug for the Tempo as you have floating around in the Mustang, there's a very good chance they'll work right.
Note than on a stock Mustang, there are two plugs - one carries power and other toys (headlight dimming option, power antenna lead, cell phone mute if applicable) and the other is for the speakers. The Tempo, if compatible, will have this same configuration. Hopefully said Mustang didn't have the premium radio option, as that changes everything and you're going to be much better off running your own wiring. If it already had a stereo in it before though, you're probably safe. The outboard amp will be located under the passenger seat if it was premium sound originally.
The antenna is a small plug that will pull out of the back of the Tempo's stock head unit and plug straight into the aftermarket deck in every case that I've ever seen, without the need for any adapters, much like most GM models.
Good luck. I know there are wiring charts floating around the net, I just don't happen to have one.
Go to your local friendly Ford dealer repair bay and ask if they'll run a copy of the wiring schematic for you. I've had the same problem on Mopar, Toyota, Saab. I just go ask for a copy of the page in their handy little computer manual and it's never been a problem. It'll tell you exactly which color does what.
Also a wise choice as then you'd know that the wire you're running is good wire without any of the insulation rubbed off. It's still a PITA though. If you do go this way though, run at least 16G wire for the speakers. It should take pretty much any kinda power you put to it unless he wants to upgrade into some HEFTY power amps. I'd checkout the selection at Radio Shack (one of the few times I'd suggest it). They have 2 types of speaker wire, some for inwall installation, which is coated in a tough thick white insulation, and then they have the "other" stuff which is clear. Don't get the clear stuff! Another route is to go to Home Depot's wiring section where they have wiring for your house that comes with 4 16g wires wrapped in a thick grey insulation. each wire is coated individually also in red, green, white, and black. This stuff is great for running the lines back to the trunk. Instead of 2 sets of wires, you're running one thick one which is nearly impossible to chafe. Chafe? Is that right? Anyways, you'd only have to remember which color is which polarity and which side. Like red is left positive and green is left negative. that kinda thing.
thats a BIG help. thanks for it. i will also send the link to him, tho sad to say i dont think he can follow it, he is just 18, but a good kid. thanks again
Hey Charles, it would be helpful if you put a little info on who you're responding to. I knew this was for me, but I had no idea what you were talking about on some of your other posts.
Scott W. '66 HCS "Thank you for your support"- The Bartles and Jaymes guy
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