wiring for 64 impala
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=115126
Printed Date: May 04, 2024 at 2:17 AM
Topic: wiring for 64 impala
Posted By: ijc62
Subject: wiring for 64 impala
Date Posted: July 16, 2009 at 6:46 PM
Want to upgrade my 64 Impala with new audio (headunit,Amp,subs,6x9. It has the the original ac delco radio with one front speaker in the dash. I am keeping the original radio in place and will install my new head unit(Pioneer)in the glove box. I feel comfortable the wiring for the new components that need to be installed. What I don't understand is how to make the connection from the stock radio wiring that's there now to the new head unit I need to install. I looked under the dash and it seems to me there are two connections into the present radio. One small BLACK/ White maybe 16 gauge (looks like it comes from the ignition) and another Black and green and a larger black wire (I think its the antenna). Can anyone tell me where these wires need to be attached to on my new headunit.
Replies:
Posted By: ajstetler
Date Posted: July 16, 2009 at 11:08 PM
First off, don't start this project without a digital multi-meter. You will need it to test wiring to install your new one. Cars this old only had accessory and ground. It wasn't necessary to have a memory (constant) since the receivers had no clock or tuner presets. This is where a DMM is useful. You will need to test the wiring that you think is the power for the radio. This is the best way to go if you are not certain what the wires you listed above do. Find a suitable constant source in the vehicle that will be fused to power your new stereo. You may need to extend the wires from behind the stock stereo to reach the glove box. That is a start. Have fun!
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Big Al
Posted By: ijc62
Date Posted: July 17, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Tks for the reply. A little more poking around reveled that there are two connections on the back of the stock radio. One is the power (small BLACK/ White wire) and the (GREEN/ Black) wire to the speaker on the dash. Both have adaptors or clip the push onto the back of the radio. So....back to square one....where do I attached to the new head unit?
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: July 17, 2009 at 2:09 PM
The old radio is not going to have all the necessary wiring for the new head unit. You are going to be far better off running the new lines direct to the main vehicle ignition harness or the fuse panel.
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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Posted By: ckeeler
Date Posted: July 17, 2009 at 2:18 PM
run all new wiring to the new unit. forget the old wiring altogether.
Posted By: mike swanson
Date Posted: July 17, 2009 at 2:42 PM
forbidden wrote:
The old radio is not going to have all the necessary wiring for the new head unit. You are going to be far better off running the new lines direct to the main vehicle ignition harness or the fuse panel.
Please fuse your wires from the IGN
Look for a Brown for Acc and Red for power
Test with a DVM or since the car is older you could us a GOOD test light
Its not like he could fry a BCM. lol
Run all new speaker wire
Posted By: ijc62
Date Posted: July 17, 2009 at 5:11 PM
It looks like this has gone beyone DIY to more of a professional job. If anyone could suggest another site I could visit to do this job.....well that would be great. I don't want to get over my head with this......but I did get this old car to have fun and spend time doing....well this kinda stuff. So...new wire's it is. Now I need to find out what that really is all about. Tks for your input.
Posted By: ijc62
Date Posted: July 19, 2009 at 12:00 PM
O.k....How about this... run a direct wire for constant power (fused) from car battery to yellow wire on head unit? Then for Acc..tap into the IGN or fuse box....there's no room in the fuse holder. I guess I can add a tap into the fuse holder...I'll have to check it out. Can anyone tell me how to get power fron the IGN....do you mean to splice into the power coming from the IGN wire (BROWN / red wire) or add a wire into the harness some place? Or can I tap into any acc wire that would only work when the key is in acc position? Tks
Posted By: brad64impala
Date Posted: July 19, 2009 at 12:26 PM
ijc,
I tapped into the ign wire that plugged into the original radio when I was doing this. It works, but I would suggest putting a fuse between that wire and your radio.
I am going to add my constant power wire today, I will let you know how it goes.
Posted By: ijc62
Date Posted: July 19, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Do you have an older Impala? If so...is that maybe a 16-18 gauge Black and white wire attached to a connector plug to the back of the stock radio?
Posted By: brad64impala
Date Posted: July 19, 2009 at 9:19 PM
Yeah, I have a 64 Impala that had the stock AM radio. That wire you're referring to that was plugged into the original radio is the ignition wire. I didn't have a chance to run the power cable today because it started raining. I am trying to find a spot to connect it before the ignition, I think there is a place on the fuse holder. I am going to try it with a DMM tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.
Today I finished making a bracket to replace the original 6x9 with two 6x4's, it's difficult but can be done.
Posted By: 97gss
Date Posted: July 19, 2009 at 10:43 PM
I know you already done it but, it probably would have been easier using 2 4" speakers.
Posted By: ijc62
Date Posted: July 20, 2009 at 5:49 AM
You can connect into the fuse holder.....but I check it mine and there's no room...no empty sockets. So somone told me you may have to use taps. I guess these taps just attach in some way to the original fuse holder. I'm going to check that out today. IJC
Posted By: mike swanson
Date Posted: July 20, 2009 at 9:25 AM
A fuse tap goes around the fuse and then plug it back in,But you have round glass fuses in that car. This can still work, but I would run from the IGN. The fuse tap will come off a glass fuse
Just look for the wires that come from the key/IGN and test them
Turn the key on and find the wire that turns off when the car is cranked and then the wire comes back with 12v running.
Thats the wire you need
Now GM has kept the IGN wires the same colors for years
Look for a BROWN or PINK wire to tap
Take a lil bit of the wire case off and then poke a hole in the wire with a pick tool then put your fused wire in the hole. Close the hole with your wire cutters and solder then tap it off with good black tape 3M #33 tape
Posted By: brad64impala
Date Posted: July 20, 2009 at 9:19 PM
There's actually a single post on the left, 3rd one down that says "batt" right below it. You can use that for your constant power, I used a red female connector and it went on with ease. I just finished mine today and it works great. The 4x6's went in place relatively easily, with the tray and bracket I fabricated out of steel, and they fit the 6x9 slot pretty well too.
Posted By: brad64impala
Date Posted: July 20, 2009 at 9:21 PM
If you use a dmm, the post I'm referring to keeps a constant 12.5V or so even with the key off.
Posted By: ijc62
Date Posted: July 21, 2009 at 5:38 AM
So Brad...so you have two wires into your head unit right....1 for constant power off the fuse holder and the other?
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