Radio Installation

[Nalayah]

I have a 1988 Grand Marquis 5.0, and the radio recently went kaput. I pulled out the old one, and bought a new one (four speaker basic one). However, the wiring's all different. My step-dad, an electrician, told me that I would be able to splice together the correct wires and have it work. We've found the hot wire (orange with a black stripe), and I'm assuming that the other wires are for the speakers and ground (assuming black is ground).

Now the question is, what's the red wire that's clamped to the back of the stereo? Also, which wires are for which speakers? Thanks! And yes I've looked all over Google and in the Chiltons.

[garrytoao]

Originally Posted by Nalayah

I have a 1988 Grand Marquis 5.0, and the radio recently went kaput. I pulled out the old one, and bought a new one (four speaker basic one). However, the wiring's all different. My step-dad, an electrician, told me that I would be able to splice together the correct wires and have it work. We've found the hot wire (orange with a black stripe), and I'm assuming that the other wires are for the speakers and ground (assuming black is ground).

Now the question is, what's the red wire that's clamped to the back of the stereo? Also, which wires are for which speakers? Thanks! And yes I've looked all over Google and in the Chiltons.

make sure the radio you took out is not one with premium sound or the hook up will be different

[miamibob]

I would suggest getting the "connectors" that attach directly to the wires on the stereo. The other end connects directly to the connectors on the car's wiring harness so there is NO chance of a screw up. You don't have to guess which color goes to which wire (as Ford is good for changing the colors practically every year!) and DON'T have to cut into the factory wiring. A company like www.crutchfield.com comes to mind as they have REALLY good tech support. By the way, if you have a Premium Sound system you need an adapter that goes between the connector on the radio and the speaker wiring harness. You DO NOT connect the fronts and rears. I think you only connect the fronts but you need to verify this as I did an '87 GM a few years ago and have forgotton....MB

[92mercmadman]

does the car have a switch on the lower right under the steering column that says amp or amplifier. if so your gonna need to take a weekend out to do it...it has "premium" sound which means jack squat, so its gonna be a nice ride.