4 channel amp install

[fc3s]

hey guys.my factory amp to the front speakers has been giving me problems for the last year.it works for a few days and then it goes out for about a month.I just bought a kenwood 600 watt 4 channel amp and Memphis speakers for front and rear.I have everything ready to go but I don't truly understand what wires at the amp to splice into.I know I seen a post about this a couple of months ago but now I can't find it.

[solid snake]

Do you still have the factory stereo, if not I would just by pass everything and start from scratch.

[88pathoffroad]

Get a shop to install it for you. It will be easier, neater and there will be less guesswork on your end. It doesn't generally cost that much.

[fc3s]

well I already went that way and still have the same problem.I paid 100.00 to have the speakers put in and to fix the speakers not working 6 months ago.I had to redo the speakers because they half ass done the job and the speakers were falling out.then the amp problem came back.I will do it myself this time to be positive it's done right this time.

 

thanks I know sometimes it's better to just let someone do it.people that has done this kind of work but every time I let someone else work on my cars it's never done right.

 

I've already got everything done but the speaker wires.the amps are already wired and my sub already hooked up and working great.

Edited March 26, 2007 by fc3s

[fc3s]

Hello again.

 

 

Ok this is what I came up with.

 

After removing the factory headunit, and stripping off the factory mounting brackets( to be used later) Tip #1 Dont buy a dash kit for this install, you wont need it.

 

I went to my local nissan dealer and asked the nice guy behind the service counter for a 94/95 pathfinder 6 or 8 speaker stereo wiring diagram.

From that I found Wires to get 12v constant and a switched source for the amps remote turn on.

As a ground wire isnt in the harness for the pathy I used a body ground behind the radio.

 

Tip#2 Dont buy a metra or anyother wiring harness adaptor if you have the Clarion Active Sound System....it wont work.

 

It seems nissan likes to throw curve balls....with the late 94 and early 95 models of pathfinder, they might have use 2 diffrent types of radio plugs.

 

 

Either way youll want to have a multi-meter handy to pick out the right wires to cut out of the dash harness

 

Now to the fun part....the amps.....Behind the passengers side rear panel in the cargo area, you will find 2 small silver amps.

 

Unplug those amps and remove the mounting screws...after that set them on fire.

 

The plugs your left with contain the wires you will need to wire your speakers.

 

For this portion of the install you will need a 9 volt batt, this is to "pop" the speakers...dont worry its safe..its only 9 volts, and when done right gives you a popping noise thru the speakers.....this will help you locate the right speaker wires.

 

Now that you have the amps out, go around and pull all the speakers out, while your doing this take note of the wire colors in the plugs for each speaker.

 

These colors are what you will be looking for in the amp wiring harness...write them down so you dont space them.

 

A word on speakers.

 

Depending on what speakers you pick to replace the 5x7s,6x9s or 4x6 that came with your pathy, you may have to open the speaker holes a bit more to get a good flush mount.

Spacers also work well on the door speakers...providing you remove the stock baskets in the doors.

 

Install all the new speakers however you choose.

 

Ok ....with the 9 volt batt and diagram from a nissan dealer.

Start to locate the wire colors you wrote down earlier.

Now....at this point you can make the polarity of the wires what ever you want.

Seeing as how all four pairs of wires has both a striped wire and a solid colored wire, I set all the striped wires as positive and all solid colors as Negitive.

 

Now that you have the colors matched up for front and rear, right and left,

you start cutting ONE pair at a time...this way you dont get confused.

Using the 9 volt batt...hold one of the speaker leads to the positive on the 9 volt and tap the other wire on the negitive..it will make one of the speakers pop...( not in a bad way...its safe I tell ya)

This will conferm you have the right speaker.

 

Repeat this step 3 more times on each set of wires you trace back with the diagram.

 

What you will end up with is 8 wires. to save time clamp butt connectors to these ends.

Now get a roll of speaker wire from rat shack or best buy.

Depending where you place the amp you might need more or less wire than most...mine took 50 feet, and I put the apm behind the drivers side seat on the floor, inside a covered amp rack....no neon....thats just tack.

 

Anyhow......place the amp where you want it and stretch out 4 strands of this speaker wire.

Strip back the ends on both sides, and connect the ends to the leads you set up earlier.

 

Now you have 8 really long speaker leads, that are hooked up to the wires running thru the body of the pathfinder and to your speakers.

 

Now route those wire thru or under the carpeting and youll be in good shape.

 

I know it sounds like alot of work, but running all new speaker wires between the little door jamb harnesses and under the dash is a major pain in the ***. no to mention getting wires into the celing and back to the amp.

 

This way DISPITE what some people have to say, is the best way of replacing an entire stock clarion "active sound" system.

 

 

Items youll need

 

Interior panel puller or small blunt pry tool

Phillips screw driver

Black tape or butt connectors

razor knife

wire crimper

Multi tester

Tone generator or 9 volt batt.

 

I hope this helps someone...if I forgot anything im sure SOMEONE will let me know.

 

Peace for now