Start your car stereo installation by removing your old components. This is the most important part of your car stereo installation. Pay attention to the way in which your old components are connected, and your new car stereo installation will be a breeze.
Simply reconnect the new car stereo speakers or car audio systems exactly the way you disconnected the old ones. Be sure to disconnect your battery before beginning the car stereo installation process.
Start by removing your old car stereo from the dash.
You may need to remove a section of the dashboard to unscrew your existing car stereo from a mounting bracket and remove it. If you're not sure how to access your current car stereo, consult your vehicle's owner's manual to find out how to access your car stereo through the dashboard.
Your car stereo installation may require you to remove special screws or clips from your existing car stereo to uninstall it; check for Allen screws or special car radio clips when you open the dashboard. You can typically find any specialized tools that you need from your local auto supply store or an electronics store that sells car stereo supplies, or check out car stereo installation kits with everything you might need.
How to hook everything up in your car stereo installation.
Before you even slide your new car stereo into the dashboard, connect everything to the back. You'll find a bundle of wires that serves as your power connection; simply connect it to the new radio, and that part of the car stereo installation is good to go. If the connectors don't match, you may need an adaptor; you can typically get this at your local auto supply store or the electronics store where you purchase the car stereo. Most car stereo installation kits include adaptors in the event that your new radio and factory connector don't match.
Make sure you connect your radio antenna to the appropriate place on your new car stereo. The antenna typically isn't included in the bundle with the power cords; it's a separate cord that must be connected, sometimes via an antenna terminal on your new stereo. Consult both owner's manuals to make sure you're connecting the antenna correctly. If you've got a car stereo amplifier, make sure you use your preamp connections; otherwise, the standard speaker-level inputs.
Test everything in your car stereo installation before you close it up.
Once everything is connected in the appropriate spots, reconnect your battery and fire up the new car stereo. If everything works, set a radio station in the memory preset and then turn your car off. Remove the key from the ignition. Wait a few seconds, and then restart your car. Check to see that the radio saved the channel you programmed. If it did, your radio is working correctly. Turn the car off, secure the radio in its mount, replace the dashboard and you're ready to enjoy your new car stereo installation!
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