installing car stereo

[csky12]

I wanted to change my existing car stereo, and I just got a question....I have a 1998 Civic and actually have the stock cassette deck change few years ago to a MP3 deck at BestBuy...and now I want a USB enabled car stereo....and I was wondering do I still need the harness? can I just simply unplug and replug it back in to the new stereo?

thanks

[csky12]

so I will have to rewire the harness to match the new stereo?

so not all stereo have the same input/output...

[ES_Revenge]

so I will have to rewire the harness to match the new stereo?

so not all stereo have the same input/output...
No not all stereos have the same harness connector (if that's what you mean by input output?). Stereos of the same brand/make usually do, but not always there either.

If the original install used an "installation harness" then you will have to cut the harness from the HU you have in there from the install harness and connect the new HU's harness onto the install harness. As mentioned above you can remove this from the car and do it inside if you please.

If the replacement HU is the same brand as the HU that is coming out, you will more than likely be able to "plug & play" though you must verify that all the connections are the same by using the manuals for both models, before doing this. As noted above by isajoo, there could be slight changes.

If the original install connected the harness from the current HU directly to vehicle wiring, then you will have to rewire the new HUs harness in the car, again unless it's the same brand. But this is unlikely as if Best Lie installed it they would almost certainly have used an install harness.

[csky12]

okay let me wrap it up....after I take the thing apart...I will have to cut the old harness and replace it with a new harness that will fit with the new stereo? correct? and the new harness will most likely not be included?

and the black connector is the connection from the stereo to the car right?

okay...last question...at the back of the stereo, how many connection is there? harness and?

and the radio connector is just a simple unplug and replug right?

[ES_Revenge]

okay let me wrap it up....after I take the thing apart...I will have to cut the old harness and replace it with a new harness that will fit with the new stereo? correct? and the new harness will most likely not be included?
Every new HU will come with it's own harness. That's what the black side is, the aftermarket harness. The white side is the install harness or aftermarket-to-factory harness. What you would do is remove that part (one end from the car, the other from the existing HU) and then cut it in half separating the two*. Then connect the new connect up the new aftermarket harness to the existing installation harness. (Note: use only good connection methods to do this--crimps or solder+heatshrink. You will need a wire stripper and crimps (or solder and heatshrink plus soldering iron) for this operation.)

*If using the same brand you may not need to cut/rewire this as mentioned.


and the black connector is the connection from the stereo to the car right?
As said the black connector is the aftermarket harness, included with the HU.


okay...last question...at the back of the stereo, how many connection is there? harness and?
You mean how many wires to connect? Depends. But basically you have 8 wires for speakers (+/- for four speakers), ignition/switched power, constant +B, ground, and illumination on most decks. Then you may have to connect antenna remote and/or amp remote wires, depending on your car. Also the actual antenna connection will be made.


and the radio connector is just a simple unplug and replug right?
Yes.