Featured Was wondering if someone could help me make sense of an issue I stumbled upon?

[GomerPyle]

The thing is that we do not know exactly what those wires are being used for. If they do go to the speaker locations and OP wants to use a full range amp, then using a speed 9 wire to the radio harness will be the best move. Since OP also said the sound is flat, it would be interesting to see how the tech got this wired up.
I find it odd that when the OEM amps are plugged in, he loses sound.

Yeah when I plug these in here. I hear the click when they power on.... I see the stations playing/connect to BT.... but no sound

When I unplug them, unit has sound but zero depth and flat.

My list here is to:

1) see what's up with these wires inside the doors and recheck the rear speakers to see if black speaker wires are running to them

2) hopefully be able to plug old factory car wires back in

3) figure out the wiring of the head unit harness, rca harness, and Metra harness.

Will report back

 

[1aespinoza Premium Member]

When I unplug them, unit has sound but zero depth and flat.

Are there wires on the other side of those OEM amps?

 

[GomerPyle]

Are there wires on the other side of those OEM amps?

Good question.

I will take a peek after work today. I'm not 100% sure.

 

[GomerPyle]

Are there wires on the other side of those OEM amps?

Just did a quick google.Google.

The circles in the image are what's visible in my Pic. The arrow would be the back of the units (not visible)

(Reuploaded my cars pic here just to compare)

 

[1aespinoza Premium Member]

The circles in the image are what's visible in my Pic. The arrow would be the back of the units (not visible)

After checking a few sites I will assume the rear small plug carries the audio signal from the radio. There are no splices in the front plugs which I will also assume are the speaker outputs and power inputs. Then the black wires should be spliced at the speaker locations, and that could mean the OEM tweeter wires are still plugged in. If so then that would explain why your radio protects itself when the amp is plugged in.
Furthermore, if the OEM tweeters are still connected they could cause sound issues like you currently have. 2 tweeters per side is not pleasing IMO.

 

[GomerPyle]

Update real quick (maybe not real quick)

I jumped in the back and looked at the 1 panel I had off for another repair.

I have to preface.... the sound coming from the speakers is EXACTLY the same as what it is now. Flat and "old small radio" quality

Now that being said... It looks like a little mouse family chewed some insulation on the wires, but I'm certain that's not my sound issue,

HOWEVER..... There was NO black speaker wire in to the rear speaker there. So I literally have ZERO clue what is happening here because the speakers have sound and are not connected to the 4 black speaker wires in the pics from the dash. Also.... WTF. I think the shop just kept the speakers I bought lol (see original post for details with saying I needed an AMP, etc..)

I will have the doors off eventually and will update, but I'm 99% sure this shop scammed me. My problem, I know.

My plan from here.... I just purchased a factory Pioneer harness specific to my unit

Will be here next week.

Im going take the new factory harness, Metra harness, RCA harness and splice together here at the table as I should...... So in theory I only have to worry about 8 wires remaining?

Take it out and seek the speaker wire they put in and replace the old, and splice it correctly with the RCA.

I may be back for questions (undoubtedly)

But this shit is sort of crazy and I'm half debating leaving it.... but I'm a stubborn man.

Thanks!

 

[mahc 10+ year member]

Update real quick (maybe not real quick)

I jumped in the back and looked at the 1 panel I had off for another repair.

I have to preface.... the sound coming from the speakers is EXACTLY the same as what it is now. Flat and "old small radio" quality

Now that being said... It looks like a little mouse family chewed some insulation on the wires, but I'm certain that's not my sound issue,

HOWEVER..... There was NO black speaker wire in to the rear speaker there. So I literally have ZERO clue what is happening here because the speakers have sound and are not connected to the 4 black speaker wires in the pics from the dash. Also.... WTF. I think the shop just kept the speakers I bought lol (see original post for details with saying I needed an AMP, etc..)

I will have the doors off eventually and will update, but I'm 99% sure this shop scammed me. My problem, I know.

My plan from here.... I just purchased a factory Pioneer harness specific to my unit

Will be here next week.

Im going take the new factory harness, Metra harness, RCA harness and splice together here at the table as I should...... So in theory I only have to worry about 8 wires remaining?

Take it out and seek the speaker wire they put in and replace the old, and splice it correctly with the RCA.

I may be back for questions (undoubtedly)

But this shit is sort of crazy and I'm half debating leaving it.... but I'm a stubborn man.

Thanks!

I think they connect the radio to the speakers at the amp connectors. You should see the black wires splicing there.

 

[GomerPyle]

Update/Questions. Please excuse the length and possible confusion (confusing for me anyway)

Haven't been able to search the 4 speaker wires yet... because kids... but in the meantime picked up a new Pioneer harness so I can keep the crap AS IS in the car, and make sense of this at the table here.

For reference again, Im using this guide: https://www.moddedmustangs.com/thre...d-system-installation-00-04-mustang-gt.38963/

I have attached the image of where Im at currently following this guide.

Quick Note: the Pioneer harness at the bottom is wrong. I have the new one on the way, but wires are the same. I just drew the Orange/White (Dimmer?) wire it will have that this one doesn't. The 1 still in the car taped to sh*t has orange/white, so does the 1 arriving tomorrow.

In the guide above that Im following, I am here:

"You want to connect all the regular wires normally. Now here's where it gets a little tricky. Take the 2 Black/white amp grounds on the RCA plug harness, and using a 3 way heat shrink connector, wire these, plus your dimmer/illum ground (orange/black), now take your 2 blue/white amp wires on the RCA plug harness, and using a 3 way connector, connect all three of these wires together..make sure you add another 3 way connector in somewhere down the harness so you can add an aftermarket amplifier later on down the road. don’t try to splice it in…this creates a bad connection. make sure you use a lighter to shrink all the connectors around the wires so you have a nice solid airtight connection that won't come undone."

1) I do not have a Orange/Black wire on the pioneer or Metra harness (top right)

Should I do the regular Orange here? Lost. Any inout as to what the following steps should go to?

2) Am I reading correctly:

2 Amp grounds on the RCA + Orange
Then
Take those 3 together (2 amp grounds + orange (?which?) spliced) and splice to my 2 blue/white Amp power wires into it?

Totaling 5 wire spliced into a 3way? 2 ground from RCA, 2 Power from RCA, orange?

Sorry this is a mess. If its too much, I may abandon and just deal with it. Blah. Was hoping for a quick fix, but they bunged it all up.

Not losing hope, but yet another roadblock for my brain

Cheers everyone. Hope this is at least interesting. Lol

 

[1aespinoza Premium Member]

Take the 2 Black/white amp grounds on the RCA plug harness, and using a 3 way heat shrink connector, wire these, plus your dimmer/illum ground (orange/black),

This is one complete step.

now take your 2 blue/white amp wires on the RCA plug harness, and using a 3 way connector, connect all three of these wires together.

This is another complete step. It is the 2 from the RCA harness plus one from your Pioneer harness. It reminds you to add another 3 way in case you want to add a sub amplifier .

 

[1aespinoza Premium Member]

) I do not have a Orange/Black wire on the pioneer or Metra harness (top right)

Should I do the regular Orange here? Lost.

No, I suspect the Orange is Positive. I assume he included the Orange Dimmer wire as "regular wires" because there is no mention of it.
If he called them amp grounds, then they are probably meant to supply ground to the radio's dimmer, but the radio already has that.

 

[GomerPyle]

This is one complete step.

This is another complete step. It is the 2 from the RCA harness plus one from your Pioneer harness. It reminds you to add another 3 way in case you want to add a sub amplifier .

Ok thanks.

Im lost at the "connect all 3 together part" here I guess.

No, I suspect the Orange is Positive. I assume he included the Orange Dimmer wire as "regular wires" because there is no mention of it.
If he called them amp grounds, then they are probably meant to supply ground to the radio's dimmer, but the radio already has that.

Ok i think i get this. Should i ignore orange here?

I could also wait to share the correct harness tomorrow when i get it to eliminate confusion.

Might have a minute to pop a door off too and check the speaker.

 

[1aespinoza Premium Member]

Ok i think i get this. Should i ignore orange here?

Ignore the Orange/Black instructions. When everything is wired up and plugged in, if the amps do not kick on or something funny, then ground those Black/White wires to see what happens.
The Pioneer Orange will splice with the Metra Orange.

 

[1aespinoza Premium Member]

Might have a minute to pop a door off too and check the speaker.

That would be good. I am curious to see where those darn wires go to.

 

[GomerPyle]

That would be good. I am curious to see where those darn wires go to.

Me too.

Before I do anything else I want to say thanks again.

Learning here. Slowly but surely lol

 

[GomerPyle]

That would be good. I am curious to see where those darn wires go to.

Got everything cleaned up here. I think I am good on the wiring set up.

After some research last night it seems I need a resistor spliced in too. So I drew that in.

Last step will be to find those cuck speaker wires and redo that part.... hopefully just plug and play.

I will keep everyone updated!