Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Newbie needs help!

I'm a newbie with respect to audio installation and was hoping for some help...

I've purchased a Pioneer DEH-P4600 and am gonna try my luck at installing it myself into my 97 Contour LX. I purchased it at Future Shop which advertised free installation (I'm located in Montreal, Canada), however, because my Contour has the 'Premium Sound', they advised me they would have to bypass the amp, thus, costing me $60! So much for free installation.

I've discovered and learned much on my own searching the forum. However, if anyone can offer advise I would be very happy to listen...

As mentioned above, I have the 'Premium Sound' without lettering on the speaker grill (Is there a difference?). Two harnesses: One 'Square' adapter and one 'Rectangular' adaptor. The head unit has only one harness (Adding to my confusion). Is it advisable to bypass the amp? From what I've read, it seems to be the best choice.

I have found the following link, which is very helpful:

MasterSheet

Does anyone know where I can get these harnesses here in Montreal? Perhaps at Fortin Auto Radio?

Regards

Darius

Anyone...?

I realize that this topic has been ground into a nub! I have searched and found conflicting opinions on this board.

I was hoping someone has a clear cut solution without splicing any factory wiring.

It is posible and really isn't that hard. I wouldn't use the preamp to amp signal wire (the square one) to power the speakers. What I did, was run wire from the head unit's wire harness (the speaker outputs) directly to the plug where the premium amp is. You can search for a speaker wire color code, to see which plugs are which. I used, I think 14 or 16 guage speaker wire with the ends tinned (w/solder) and they plugged right into the speaker plugs, where the amp used to be plugged in.

Follow me??

You know where the amp is right?


EDIT: AND, you don't HAVE TO bypass the amp, although it will most likely sound better. My alpine(using its internal amp)made a huge difference over my kenwood cd player/ford amp combo.

Yup, I know where the amp is (Behind the glovebox), not much room to fool around. There is a 'Square' adaptor and 'Rectangular' adaptor on the amp. Which one is which?

I think I understand, you simply plugged the 'tinned' wire ends into...this is where I lose you. Is it into the amp or the adaptor which is currently plugged into the amp.

Thanks for your help!

Darius

The one that is rectangular has 12v, ground, amp turn-on lead and the speaker outputs from the amp. To bypass the amp, just pull it right out, so you have a little more room to work. I ran the speaker wire from the head unit right into that rectangular plug (in their appropriate location). You plug it into the adapter, which is currently plugged into the amp.


Make sense??

Thanks so much for your help 99MystiqueATX. BTW, saw pics of your Mystique, awsome...

I'm not usually thickheaded, actually quite good with my hands. So...

Firstly, I should ignore the 'square' adaptor that was originally connected to the stock HU (preamp to amp signal wire).

Run the 8 speaker wires (Extended of course) from the HU to that rectangular adaptor which I will unplug from the amp. On my Pioneer HU's harness it's:

Front Speaker
L: +Wht, -Wht/Blk
R: +Gray, -Gray/Black

Rear Speakers
L: +Green, -Green/Blk
R: +Violet, -Violet/Blk

If I understood correctly, you 'tinned' the ends of the wires and simply inserted them into the appropriate locations on the adaptor without reinserting the adaptor into the amp. This raises a question: How do they remain without falling out?

I'm guessing when I say that I should leave the 'square' adaptor plugged into the amp. That leaves, from the HU harness, the Yellow (Battery), Red (ACC 12V DC), and Black (Ground) wires, which I presume must be crimped/soldered onto an aftermarket harness which will be plugged into the 'rectangular' adaptor that was formerly plugged into the stock HU (That was a mouthful!).

Am I on the right track?

Darius

If you already have the adapter, then use it. I'm gangster, so I just took out the amp and ran my own wire directly from the HU to the speakers.

I think you're on the right track.


The wire harness on the left is for non-premium, ford applications. The left one is for speakers. The one on the right, is the one you will use for the 12v, ground, dimmer(if available), and so on. The wire harness on the left is for the non-premium guys (not that they're missing much)


The premium amp... YAY... The connector on the left, is the one where the speaker outputs are. The connector on the right is for signal (Preouts). You want to plug the speaker wires (not preouts) into this plug (in their appropriate location). When I "plugged" mine into the plug, they were pretty snug. I wrapped each pair of wires with electrical tape by the ends to keep them from coming out and then wrapped the tape around all of the wires. (I can take a picture of that tomorrow if you want) Some of the wires, I had to re-tin because they were too thick to fit in the plug without damaging it.


This cable allows you to use the premium amp. (and not use the amp in your head unit, although the amp in your pioneer HU is more than likely better than the ford amp)






This make sense?

I think I'm getting it...

Thx for the pics! Whoever coined the phrase: 'Pictures are worth a thousand words', knew what they were talking about. Again, thx for your time and patience.

Pics of the wire harnesses: I will only need to solder/crimp the Blk, Orange, and Yellow. That's all I have on the new HU's harness (Not counting the 8 speaker wires). There is also a Blue wire on the new HU harness for a 'System Remote Control'. Would that be for a power antenna? Anyway, I don't have one. I just have to find the aftermarket harness. I don't want to order thru Crutchfield, because I don't want to wait, and I'm not sure if they accept Int'l Orders. Anyone from Montreal, Quebec, Canada reading this...where can I get one!!!! I will try Fortin Audio.

As per the picture of the amp, I will have to insert the speaker wires (x8) into the 'Square' adaptor/plug, as opposed to the 'rectangular' one (Contrary to what I had mentioned in my last post). I'm not familiar with tinning the wire ends, however, I presume it to simply be: Heating up the copper wire with a solder iron and thinly coating the wires with some solder. This is done so when inserting the wires, they don't go all outta wack in the adaptor/plug. Little tape around single wire to make 'em fit snug, then tape them all up together to secure them.

Is it ok to leave the rectangular adaptor/plug plugged into the amp?

Third pic. After what I have been reading on this board, I'm seriously convinced that the Pioneer amp (MOSFET 50w x4) is better than that anchor behind the glovebox.

Wish me luck 'cause I'm going for it either late this week or next weekend. I'll let you know how it works out.

Thanks!

Darius

I think you have it backwords. The plug on the left is the speaker outputs for that amp. Lets try this... The one with 8 "light duty" pins is the one you would use if you wanted to use the ford amp. The one with the fatter pins (14 pins I think) is where you plug the speaker leads into. If you search for speaker wire color code, you will find out which wire goes to which speaker.


I will try to take a picture of the wiring in the car.