Beginner Installation

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=11757
Printed Date: August 11, 2025 at 4:18 PM

Topic: Beginner Installation

Posted By: morrowsb
Subject: Beginner Installation
Date Posted: April 02, 2003 at 1:42 PM

I am planning installing a stereo in my 2002 Saturn SL.

I work in electronics so I consider myself fairly capable but I haven't worked on a car stereo before.

I am assuming when I buy the stereo it will come with a pinout, and I have retrieved the wiring diagram for my car from this website.

How do I connect the existing cable to my new stereo? Do I have to solder the wires?

Replies:

Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: April 02, 2003 at 3:02 PM

You can either cut the wires form the factory harness and attach your aftermarket radio (not recommended) or you can purchase a wiring kit for your car that will attach to the factory harness and then you just attach the color coded wires of the wiring kit to your aftermarket radio. I would suggest that you buy the wiring kit for about $15 you can go to any car audio shop and ask for one. That way all you have to do is match up the color coded wires and solder /crimp them together.

Posted By: wrencher_25
Date Posted: April 02, 2003 at 7:43 PM

If you're looking for the BEST connection......MECP recommends

SOLDER TAPE AND HEAT SHRINK.

But yes, invest in that wiring harness.......that way if you ever sell the car you can take the deck with you and installing the factory deck is very simple.

-------------
Andrew Weitzel

MECP First Class Installer

Posted By: themagicone
Date Posted: April 02, 2003 at 9:05 PM

On saturns make sure that the grounding strap on the factory radio gets tied up out of the way, if it falls down it'll short out blower resitors and it will cost $200 + to fix it.

Posted By: wrencher_25
Date Posted: April 02, 2003 at 9:40 PM

Good to know.....thanks magicone

-------------
Andrew Weitzel

MECP First Class Installer

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