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2001 Chevy Malibu - Aftermarket Radio Wiring Trouble


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JG1489
New User

Oct 7, 2013, 12:00 AM

Post #1 of 4 (8729 views)
2001 Chevy Malibu - Aftermarket Radio Wiring Trouble Sign In

Hi everyone, I need some help. I'm trying to install a Pioneer DEH-X5500HD radio into my 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. I somewhat regret this now, but before I began, I decided to forgo both the wiring harness and adapter to save myself some money. I understand the adapter would allow me to keep my chimes but I can live without them. link deleted ............... not allowed ...........but I still have some loose wires I don't know what to do with. From the car, there is a purple "Class 2 Serial Data" wire (A1), a grey "Instrument Panel Lamp Supply Voltage-1" wire (B4), a black ground wire (B5), and a brown "Park Lamp Supply Voltage" wire (B12). I also don't have the radio's red accessory wire connected to anything.

In my search for a usable power source for my accessory wire, I spliced the red accessory wire from the radio to the positive wire from the driver's side cigarette lighter. This powered the radio and I was able to verify all four speaker connections. However, both cigarette lighters in the car are constantly powered, so I need to find another location for the radio's red accessory wire. Where can I connect this wire?

Another thing to note is that my instrument panel lights and my rear running lights do not turn on. My headlights, turn signals, and brake lights still work but I'm not sure if any other lights work (e.g. forward running lights). This is obviously attributed to the four disconnected wires in the car. What should I do with the wires to restore power to the nonfunctional lights?

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I look forward to hearing any suggestions and solutions.

(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Oct 7, 2013, 2:51 AM)


nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
nickwarner profile image

Oct 7, 2013, 12:21 AM

Post #2 of 4 (8720 views)
Re: 2001 Chevy Malibu - Aftermarket Radio Wiring Trouble Sign In

STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Undo every damn thing you just did and rip that deck out. DO NOT think that twisting the wires you just butchered together and wrapping black tape on them is OK. They must be soldered together and then covered in heat shrink or have heat-sealed butt connectors on them.

This isn't the stereo wiring of 20 years ago. There are wires feeding a body module that do not like tampering. Short the wrong one and fry $1000 worth of stuff. You spent well over $100 to get this CD player. Go to the damn Wal-Mart and blow less than $20 to get the proper connector which was made to keep people like you from messing with a circuit they do not fully understand.

This is NOT the way to install a stereo and you are NOT saving yourself any money, you are about to cost yourself a lot. Before you accuse me of being a hater of loud music, I have installed more aftermarket systems than I can count and have them in my own vehicles. I have had people bring me cars with wiring like yours and I turn them away for what they did to it. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE STOP!

The wiring for your stereo contains a lot more than the stereo wires as you see. Get the proper harness and this will not be a problem. Go at it with your hack job and suffer the wrath of the car gods.This is not the way to put a stereo into anything and I mean anything. I drive a 1990 Bronco for a work vehicle and I very well could've done a hack mess on it but even I bought the proper harness because it is hassle free.

I hate to sound like a major a-hole, but if you ever do this again you are an idiot who hates having a working car and money in his wallet. Take this as a learning experience and undo what you did, or think I am wrong and my opinion will stand.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Oct 7, 2013, 2:53 AM

Post #3 of 4 (8711 views)
Re: 2001 Chevy Malibu - Aftermarket Radio Wiring Trouble Sign In

You also need to read the FORUM RULES before posting. You are not allowed to post links unless they are your own pictures of videos.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Oct 7, 2013, 3:54 AM

Post #4 of 4 (8708 views)
Re: 2001 Chevy Malibu - Aftermarket Radio Wiring Trouble Sign In

I was going to take that link out to another site and didn't watch it. If any site suggested or showed hacking up just any wires found for power or ground supply at the great risk of trashing all kinds of things that site owns that.

Why oh why as Nick said wasn't an adaptor or interface that uses existing radio wiring used for a radio/sound system that are not costly just escapes any common sense. Some threads of late are going to be in the running for the 2013 Darwin Awards!

T







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