Radio Replacement questions (Page 1/1)
SamanthaM AUG 20, 04:28 PM
I have an 86 SE. I bought a nice JVC receiver to replace the stock radio. I got it from Crutchfield and they included a wiring plug adapter and some easy to follow instructions. Got the wiring done easy enough.
They included a relay switch? The instructions for that were less than helpful. I know the sub woofer was powered by an internal amp in the old radio. Is that what the relay was for? If I plug in the sub it just goes "wa wa wa" over and over. Any one know if that relay was for that? If I unplug the sub woofer it still sounds ok but if I can use the existing sub I would like to?

There are no "free" wires left on the wiring harness and I have tried figuring out through diagrams online what wires actually ran the sub. I have had no real luck figuring it out as of yet.... Anyone have ideas?
Thanks.
Gall757 AUG 20, 05:54 PM
I think the sub woofer had it's own amp.

https://www.wc-autoparts.co...rformance-sound-uq6/

http://www.fiero.net/showroom/sub.html

[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 08-20-2019).]

SamanthaM AUG 21, 10:04 AM
After some digging around, you are correct and I found the amp.

I removed some tape around the wires coming from the amp and have located the two pink wires as well as the ground. I should now be able to put in the relay switch. I just need to run a new wire for the 12v power from the fuse box or something. I read an article that says the power antenna lead isn't strong enough to properly power the amp? Has any one put in a new radio and kept the existing amp and sub woofer and used that wire? Is it just a better idea to provide a new wire from the fuse box???
Gall757 AUG 21, 10:28 AM
There are power supply ports available on the fuse box...(labeled IGN, lower left, I'm not sure what that RADIO port does)



As for a power antenna lead....I don't think you will find it.

[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 08-21-2019).]

SamanthaM AUG 21, 10:47 AM
Thank you for posting the fuse box picture, much appreciated!

I will just run a new wire from the available ignition port. I will post the results for anyone's future reference.
Gall757 AUG 21, 10:51 AM
To work with the fuse box, squeeze the two tabs on each side and rotate it downward so you can see it.....(it's amazing how many folks went years before learning this...including me!)

also, I think those IGN ports are not fused.

[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 08-21-2019).]

Rexgirl AUG 21, 03:55 PM
When the subwoofer amplifier goes "wa, wa, wa", it likely means the audio signal wire going to the amp is not connected and the amp is getting battery power.
SamanthaM AUG 22, 12:51 PM
OK. So I finally got a hold of Crutchfield tech support. This is what they told me to do to get the existing amp and sub woofer to work with the new radio. I used the Metra 70-1677-1 Receiver Wiring Harness and connected all the wires from the receiver plug to the Metra adaptor and then connected the Metra relay as explained below.

When using the Metra E-5000 relay for your 86 Pontiac Fiero:

Connect terminal 85 (black) to the amp remote wire of the new receiver (blue/white) Connect terminal 86 (green) to the black wire on the Crutchfield adapter.
Connect terminal 30 (red) to the blue wire on the Crutchfield adapter.
Connect terminal 87 (white) to the red wire on the Crutchfield adapter.
Tape off terminal 87A (blue) of the relay.

I plugged in the antenna, reconnected the battery terminal and set the radio into the opening edge to test. Sure enough, this worked. I can use the slider near the dome lights and everything. I have some bass back again. I shut everything off and tucked my wires away, bolted up the receiver, and put the face plate back on. Tested it again to make sure all was still well and it was!

On a side note, I did not have to cut into the amp wiring harness or run a 12v ignition power by using their relay as they said to. I def appreciate the help and ideas finding the wiring and fuse locations.
Gall757 AUG 22, 05:55 PM
Spadesluck AUG 22, 07:28 PM
I will admit Crutchfield had always been very helpful when I used them years ago. Glad you got it all working.