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This may be a little out there but...

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xtascox

Hard-core CEG'er
Joined
Sep 13, 2007
Messages
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Location
Philadelphia, PA
I want to keep my stock premium sound set up but I want to add aux input capability. Basically what I am thinking is tapping a 1/8" stereo input into the sound system in a way that I can get the signal to output through the car's speakers. Any ideas where to start?
 
it could be done, however it would take some circuit analysis, very likely reverse engineering, and thus time. i have the tools and knowledge to do it, but i don't have a premium stereo. my factory head unit is just a casette deck. if you have the tools and knowledge you need to locate the inputs into the amplifier on the circuit board..unless there is an easier way on these models...i haven't taken one of these apart myself so i don't know right off.

but yes, it is possible..worth it? i don't know...personnally i have a panasonic cd player that does me just fine.
 
I know a decent amount about electronics but not so much in the audio world.

So basically what you are saying is I just have to find out which wire is the sound signal input to the factory amp and tap into it? Sounds easy enough. Now for the question: Does anyone know which wire it is?
 
i may be wrong, but i very highly doubt there is such a wire..i am refering to the trace, or little lines on the circiut board itself, wich you would have to solder onto at a point where a component is soldered on the same trace. and in that case you can't just tap into it or you may blow the amp IC, you have to match the impedence values, both for the safty of the amp and for sound quality. and no i'm not talking about an external amp, unless your car is equip with a factory external amp, and if it is then you MIGHT repeat, MIGHT be able to just tap into a wire, but you really should match the impedence, impedence is basically resistance in AC circiuts btw. like i say i am not familiar with this exact setup, i am just speaking from a electronic point of veiw, mabey someone else on here has tried it with some success, i don't know, good luck, and be careful not to f it up!

i will do some searching on the net to see if i can find any schematic that i might could help you with...do you have a model number or anything on the stereo and amp?
 
tredse1 said:
i may be wrong, but i very highly doubt there is such a wire..i am refering to the trace, or little lines on the circiut board itself, wich you would have to solder onto at a point where a component is soldered on the same trace. and in that case you can't just tap into it or you may blow the amp IC, you have to match the impedence values, both for the safty of the amp and for sound quality. and no i'm not talking about an external amp, unless your car is equip with a factory external amp, and if it is then you MIGHT repeat, MIGHT be able to just tap into a wire, but you really should match the impedence, impedence is basically resistance in AC circiuts btw. like i say i am not familiar with this exact setup, i am just speaking from a electronic point of veiw, mabey someone else on here has tried it with some success, i don't know, good luck, and be careful not to f it up!

i will do some searching on the net to see if i can find any schematic that i might could help you with...do you have a model number or anything on the stereo and amp?
Click to expand...

Nothing that I can think of. Just that it is the stock amp that came with the premium sound setup that's mounted behind the the glove box. I believe I saw a wiring diagram somewhere, I just can't remember where...
 
look under the dash/behind glovebox for the wires, try to see if the wires going into it are the same color code as the output from the stereo...if so then there is a good chance that they run straight over, in which case you may be able to use them as inputs for another device.

please realize though if you put current staight onto those wires the current is also going to go into the head unit, which may destroy the output of the head unit, you might b better off using diodes to prevent that, you must you a correct diode or it will interfere with the sound quality from the head unit if not completly cut it off. also you should know that sometimes people find that aftermarket head units don't work properly in cars that have factory amps...the reason for this is that CDs produce higher voltages and frequencies in the sound waves so-to-speak...which can overdrive the amp causeing it to temporaily shut off, thereby cutting the sound off completely. i don't know if this is an issue with these amps or not.

what are you wanting to hook up to the amp anyway?
 
this is very genaric, but i hope it helps
amp_wiring_diagram.gif
 
1999 Ford Contour Stereo
WiringConstant 12V+ Orange/Black
Switched 12V+ Blue/Black
Ground Black/Green
Illumination White/Green
Dimmern/a Antenna Right Rear
Front Speakers5" x 7"
DoorsLeft Front (+) White/Black
Left Front (-) Brown/Yellow
Right Front (+) White/Red
Right Front (-) Brown/Yellow
Rear Speakers5" x 7"
Rear DeckLeft Rear (+) White/Purple
Left Rear (-) Brown/White
Right Rear (+) White/Purple
Right Rear (-) Brown/White
 
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If you have a tape adapter.... use that.... if you have a factory cd player, get a wired FM mod or just get an aftermarket with an aux in.... now if we had factory 6 disc changers with mp3... then I'd see a reason to work on keeping the stock HU...
 
CSVT_2004 said:
If you have a tape adapter.... use that.... if you have a factory cd player, get a wired FM mod or just get an aftermarket with an aux in.... now if we had factory 6 disc changers with mp3... then I'd see a reason to work on keeping the stock HU...
Click to expand...

Cost is the big reason I don't want to go aftermarket. I have a very tight budget and any money that goes into my car is usually for mechanical parts. Most likely I will get the FM mod and work with that. Thanks for the help guys.
 
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