QuestionHi Jerry! My husband just bought me a sony cd player for my 95 windstar van. The plugs are not compatible but my husband has managed to hook everything up but the speakers. There is power and it will change stations etc... just no sound. He thinks the problem may be with the rear controls or maybe an amp that the wiring may have to go through. Any thoughts or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!
AnswerYou will probably need a professional in person at this point. It is too bad he cut the wires as there are adaptors readily available for about 10.00.
All of the wiring codes (speakers too) are included when using the 10$ factory wiring harness adaptor (available at Walmart or Circuit City). Since he needs this info, I can presume he has been cutting the factory harness up. :P
But I will explain how.. now that he's bought the farm as to manually wiring it (telling ppl they got a hold of me 'a little too late' is no fun).
I cannot fix it without telling you how to prevent needing to fix it!
After all, my specialty is consultation and design. The need for diagrams or this particular Email would have been avoided if a kit had been used. I wont even get into the fire hazards involved when splicing wires (when splicing is not needed).
SPEAKER WIRE ID and speaker test:
*You may need to actually look at the backs of the speakers to see the colored pairs in which to use up front. Once you know which colored pairs go to which speakers, move on to the next section.
Phase:
Much overlooked, very important to quality audio and simple to do using this guide!
The easiest way to determine proper phase will be to use a 9v battery to 'pop' the speakers (only long enough to see whether they go IN or OUT of their frames) to see which lead is positive.
Attach some wires to the battery of different lengths so it will not drain when not in use.
Now.. get into a position where you (or an assistant) can see either the back of [or the front of] the speaker being tested.
*Tap the extended battery leads to the speaker (for 1/4 sec or less) and watch the speaker.
During this test, a functioning speaker should move one way, then return to its idle position. Of course, it also allows one to determine which speaker is which from up front.
If the speaker cone jumped OUT of the frame (towards interior of vehicle)the POSITIVE lead on the battery is indeed hooked to the positive for the speaker. Viola!
If the speaker moved IN towards the interior, the NEGATIVE battery wire is indeed hooked to the positive side of the speaker.
You can unhook the wires at the speakers and test them with the battery as well to see if they will operate.
It is simple, if you follow the instructions :)
*When installing new speakers, always run new speaker wire to them so that the speakerwire's integrity is a non issue.
Good luck
