97 ford explorer and major wire problems

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Vehicle Wiring Information & File Requests
Forum Discription: Request Car Alarm, Car Stereo, Cruise Control, Remote Starter, Navigation, Mobile Video, and Other Vehicle Specific Wiring Info, Manuals, Tech Tips
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=116160
Printed Date: May 12, 2025 at 9:45 PM

Topic: 97 ford explorer and major wire problems

Posted By: chrisbean
Subject: 97 ford explorer and major wire problems
Date Posted: September 07, 2009 at 12:01 PM

My buddy just bought a 1997 ford explorer without a radio and wanted me to put one in. No prob I thought! the prevoius owner had ripped all the wires out -no plugs! I figured out the power and such but the speakers/????? It has the factory CD changer in the center console and rear passenger radio controls too. Does ANYONE know what wires go where? The wire diagram here is probly for a stock radio since NONE of the wires match what he has. And I don'tthink pulling the doors will help any if at all.

posted_image

Replies:

Posted By: chrisbean
Date Posted: September 07, 2009 at 12:06 PM

Sorry about the picture shouldn't be so big! but I hope you get the idea of the wire problem!

Posted By: the12volt
Date Posted: September 07, 2009 at 12:10 PM

Image fixed.

-------------
posted_image

the12volt • Support the12volt.com

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: September 07, 2009 at 12:47 PM

1997 Ford Explorer Stereo Wiring
Constant 12V+	GREEN/ Purple
Switched 12V+	Yellow/Black
Ground	BLACK/ Light Green
Illumination	Light Blue/Red
Dimmer	n/a
Antenna Trigger	ORANGE / Blue
Antenna	Right Front
Front Speakers	5" x 7" Doors
Left Front (+)	ORANGE / Light Green
Left Front (-)	Light Blue/White
Right Front (+)	WHITE/ Light Green
Right Front (-)	Dark GREEN/ Orange
Rear Speakers	5" x 7" Rear Doors
Left Rear (+)	Gray/Light Blue
Left Rear (-)	Tan / YELLOW
Right Rear (+)	ORANGE / Red
Right Rear (-)	BROWN / Pink

Posted By: chrisbean
Date Posted: September 07, 2009 at 1:16 PM

That's the wrong wire diagram for his Explorer. None of those wiresare inhis harness.

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: September 07, 2009 at 1:33 PM

Does the vehicle have a factory amplifier? I think it is located behind the interior trim on the rear passenger quarter panel. May be in front or rear of the wheel well.

Posted By: tommy...
Date Posted: September 07, 2009 at 3:24 PM

You can always just run new leads...You should be able to find the fronts in the kick panels...Might have to take off door for colors...?!

-------------
M.E.C.P & First-Class
Go slow and drink lots of water...Procrastinators' Unite...Tomorrow!

Posted By: chrisbean
Date Posted: September 07, 2009 at 4:14 PM

Not sure if I has a amp or not? could you be a bit more specific where it may be?

Posted By: chrisbean
Date Posted: September 07, 2009 at 4:24 PM

i am an idiot wrote:

Does the vehicle have a factory amplifier? I think it is located behind the interior trim on the rear passenger quarter panel. May be in front or rear of the wheel well.

If your talking about in the veryback where at? it has a little net/stuff inset in the back by the liftgate on the pass side. And on the driver where the jack is there are 2 small boxes with a butload of wires. If it has a factory amp can we still use it?I'm just putting in a VERY OLD pioneer tape!?! player..for now.. 4x35 watts.I looked at a Haynes book and it showed the wires for the stereo thats in his Explorer but the wires sorta matched (the colors) but not enough to info as to which went where?WE tried to pull a door off to check the wire colors but most of the clips broke the DOOR PANEL! and the clips stayed in the door! really am starting to hate his Ford!