Hello there,

When I went to circuit city to purchase a stereo, during the installation process the Firedog technician told me that there was a problem with the wiring harness; it was too damaged to even rig. *Note that this is a used car, and I purchased it without a warranty just a couple of months ago. So I've never been able to use the stereo* Below are some pictures, and since I myself don't exactly know what I'm looking at or where to go to repair it, I was hoping one of you could tell me.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/piepants/DSCF0285.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/piepants/DSCF0286.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/piepants/DSCF0292.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/piepants/DSCF0287.jpg

Any info on this problem would be GREATLY appreciated. If anyone needs me to take more pictures, please tell me.

Thanks!

Well it seems you already know your problem... you have a burned harness. Simply replacing the damaged wires or other components and you will be in business. Alternately, determine what sort of power is required for the stereo and create your own harness and simply leave the burned out parts where they are.

Where can I get this kind of thing replaced? I've been searching and a lot of people don't deal with it.

And what are these alternatives?

I would recommend that you dont use a facory radio. that will require all the wires that have been burnt.
using an aftermarket radio wilo severely simplify things...
Did they have an aftermarket or factory in there?
Then main things you will have to find are...
The speaker wires, usally in groups for each speaker.
colors vary too much to tell you which is which. the best way is once you have found which are speakers hook up the new stereo and try the diffrent combinations to find front left.. front right.. etc...
it sounds complicated but you will get the picture after the first set is found.
You will have to worry about if there is a factory amp too that changes things.
You would then be better off running speaker wire directly to each speaker. You then know exactly which is which.
The only other wires you will need is GROUND, which can be pretty easy to make your self if need be...
Battery, this wire is constant 12 volts even if the car is off.
Acc, this wire goes to 12 volts when the ignition is turned on.
there may also be a wire for your headlights, which dims your radio for night time glare cutdown.
The Battery and Acc can be jumped from your fuse panel, finding fuses that are constant and ignition wires...
I have installed many many stereos and complete stereo systems, any questions just ask...

If you are putting in an aftermarket sound system make sure all the speakers and radio case are grounded to the frame of the car. This will definately lower the incidence of burned wires. Put a capacitor between the power source and the units (relays, amps, etc) It is simply a device to store electrical current so that when you crank up the amp it doesn't make your lights go dim. Also, it will save your alternator from being overloaded and shorted out. I haven't heard a good sound system since they passed the law that if it can be heard at greater than 20 feet you get a ticket.