aftermarket radio?

[joemama512]

ok so for some reason, i cannot get any sound after installing an aftermarket deck. it has power, my problem is that the factory amp is not getting any power. i had another deck installed in it, and it worked fine. but i forgot how i hooked it up and got power to the factory amp. ive searched everywhere and still cant figure it out i have the harness adapters already, and everything appears to be hooked up right. i dont really want to bypass the amp, just want it back like it was before i swapped the HU out.......any help is much appreciated, im dying without my radio!!

[Dyoel182]

So the previous aftermarket stereo was wired into the factory amp behind the glovebox and worked but the newer aftermarket stereo with the same wiring doesnt put out sound?

[royalblue]

http://www.contour.org/ceg-vb/showth...ght=amp+wiring

[BrApple]

you want to bypass the factory amp when installing an aftermarket radio anyway ...

[Dyoel182]

For the best sound quality sure but some people want to use that amp since its there even though the head unit already has a better amp inside of it.

[CG'SVT99]

Just hook up a new amp. Best way to go.

[Dyoel182]

Originally Posted by CG'SVT99

Just hook up a new amp. Best way to go.

As in use another 4 channel amp to run power to the speakers instead of using the amp in the head unit?

[vanguard92]

I've talked to several guys who deal specifically in repairing and replacing Ford Factory stereo equipment (factory authorized rep). These are the guys that the dealerships go to for parts. And ONLY with "Ford" OEM! They also deal with high end aftermarket names and security systems. They don't do any retail sales so they don't have all the happy crappy junk that the corner stereo place does.

They have said that it is actually better to use the factory amp, if you can, instead of bypassing it. That amp was specifically matched to go with those speakers and will give you the best sound from them possible. The Ford stock systems are better quality than many people think. The system is well thought out and actually very well balanced acoustically and power management-wise for a stock unit.

Their advice to me was to leave it alone until I'm ready to just replace the speakers with high end aftermarket stuff. THEN bypass the amp and go directly to the speakers from the HU, or through an aftermarket amp. PLus it saves a sh-t ton of money until I can plunk down the moolah for better stuff. Currently running a JVC KD-S100. Active digital equalization through software on the chip inside. Works GREAT with the stock amp and drivers.

[FIND]

Originally Posted by vanguard92

I've talked to several guys who deal specifically in repairing and replacing Ford Factory stereo equipment (factory authorized rep). These are the guys that the dealerships go to for parts. And ONLY with "Ford" OEM! They also deal with high end aftermarket names and security systems. They don't do any retail sales so they don't have all the happy crappy junk that the corner stereo place does.

They have said that it is actually better to use the factory amp, if you can, instead of bypassing it. That amp was specifically matched to go with those speakers and will give you the best sound from them possible. The Ford stock systems are better quality than many people think. The system is well thought out and actually very well balanced acoustically and power management-wise for a stock unit.

Their advice to me was to leave it alone until I'm ready to just replace the speakers with high end aftermarket stuff. THEN bypass the amp and go directly to the speakers from the HU, or through an aftermarket amp. PLus it saves a sh-t ton of money until I can plunk down the moolah for better stuff. Currently running a JVC KD-S100. Active digital equalization through software on the chip inside. Works GREAT with the stock amp and drivers.

Well. That is just all wrong. Nothing right about it.

The factory amp is an improvement over the factory sound system. Yes.

However, almost any aftermarket stereo, and I am including the $100 ones you can pick up at your local walmart have better amps inside them. Wiring your amplified signal that comes from an aftermarket head unit to an amp is just going to give you horrible sound quality, and change the dynamics of the system anyways. The factory amp is designed to run with the factory head unit and factory speakers. You replace the head unit with an aftermarket one, and suddenly you have a head unit that outputs a signal at a much higher wattage than the factory deck.

Bypass your amp. It will sound better.

Or do like I do, get a 4 channel amp, and a stereo with unamplified preouts for the front and rear speakers, and drive your speakers on that. Of course replace the crappy OEM speakers in your door. a set of 6X8s are cheap. You dont have to spend a "sh-t ton" of money to upgrade either. You can get a decent deck for 200-300 bucks, and some 6X8s for 35-90 a pair depending on where you shop. You can spend more and get the really good ones too, but the cheap pioneer 3 way 6X8s are already magnitudes better than what ford put in the door.

You wont believe the WORLD of difference between the factory crap and the "crappy junk at the corner stereo place"

Seriously.... You go to a person selling Ford OEM stereo equipment and they recommend OEM equipment to you. Never saw that coming did you? The system is well designed yes, but, not made for anyone seriously interested in their car audio. Most buyers don't buy cars for the stereos. They just want to know they can listen to the radio or their favorite CD on their commute to work. The average buyer will not pay a premium for a car equipped with a good sound system.

[96MystiqueGS]

If the amp isn't getting power, check to make sure the blue wire coming out of your head unit is connected to BOTH blue wires on the aftermarket harness adapter.

The blue wire from your head unit may be marked "AMP power" or "PWR Antenna"...that is the signal wire. On the aftermarket harness adapter you have 2 blue wires. One wire is for the power antenna, one is for the factory amplifier.