Installation 101: Do-It-Yourself Tips and Best Practices
Learn the Basics of Installing Car Audio Products.
Installing car electronics products requires care and attention to detail. Typical installation steps include interior disassembly, connecting wires, and mounting products in the vehicle. Each step is required to ensure the newly installed products function properly.
Installing car electronics products requires care and attention to detail. Typical installation steps include interior disassembly, connecting wires, and mounting products in the vehicle. Each step is required to ensure the newly installed products function properly.
Best Practices for DIY Installation
1. Document Factory Reset Procedures and Radio Codes – Before disconnecting the battery, locate factory radio security codes and reset procedures in the vehicle owner’s manual. When battery power is disconnected, some factory radios go into a ‘lockout’ anti-theft mode and require code entry for the radio to work when power is reconnected.
2. Disconnect the Negative Battery Cable – Before beginning any installation, disconnect the negative battery cable. Disconnecting the battery prevents courtesy lights from draining the battery during the mechanical parts of the installation. Use an appropriate socket or open-ended wrench to loosen the negative battery terminal. Remove the terminal from the battery and place it aside where it will not contact the battery or positive terminal. Use duct tape or a shop towel to hold the negative terminal in place if necessary.
3. A Good Light Source – It can be hard to see under the dashboard and behind vehicle panels. A good light source such as a drop light or LED work light is crucial for any install.
4. Interior Panel Storage and Hardware Management – Installing car audio products involves taking apart interior and/or trunk trim panels. This process includes removing screws, plastic panel snaps, and releasing hidden panel clips.
• Safe Storage - Prior to disassembly, choose a safe place to store the panel pieces you will remove to avoid scratches or other panel damage. Do not store panels underneath or on the roof of the car.
• Hardware Management - Keep screws and hardware in clearly marked plastic bags or containers. Labels should indicate where the hardware came from, such as the driver’s door panel or dashboard. This will ensure each part goes back in the right place during reassembly.
• Removing Panels – Remove all hardware that attaches the panel. Look for hidden hardware behind door pulls, switch panels or in A/C vents. Do not use screwdrivers to pry off plastic and upholstered panels. This will scratch or gouge the panels. Always use a plastic pry tool for panel removal. Wedge the pry tool into the panel seam and pry gently to release the panel clip(s). Review the product installation instructions for additional information about vehicle disassembly requirements.
5. Avoid Moving Parts and Heat Sources – When choosing where to run the wiring in your car, always avoid any moving parts or heat sources.
• Moving Parts: Mechanical parts such as brake pedal assemblies, steering shafts and others can interfere with wiring and placement of electronics under the dash and inside the engine compartment.
• Heat Sources: In the engine compartment, keep wiring paths away from sources of heat. Wiring insulation can melt in the high heat conditions of the engine compartment. Observe where factory wiring is run and follow those paths. If you must pass wires from the engine compartment into the interior, always use a rubber or plastic insulating grommet to protect the wire from shorting on sharp metal edges after drilling a new hole.
6. Properly Test and Connect Wiring – Before you connect the wire harness or electronic device, test the vehicle wiring to confirm the circuit type (positive or negative). Once this is verified, safely connect and insulate the wiring.
• Test Wiring and New Products - Reconnect the battery when you need to test wiring or check the operation of the new car audio products installed.
• Use a DMM - Always use a Digital Multimeter (DMM) to test circuit voltage and polarity of the vehicle wiring where aftermarket products will connect. A DMM is an electronic measuring instrument that provides accurate measurements of the vehicle's electrical system including battery voltage and resistance in speaker connections. Never test car wiring with an incandescent test light because it can damage sensitive electronics like vehicle computers and air bags.
• Wire Connections - Safely connect wiring by soldering or crimping wire connections. Soldering is the best connection type because the solder provides a mechanical bond to the connection, thus preventing oxidation of the copper wire. Use a cordless soldering iron and electrical solder for soldering connections. If crimping wire connections, use Klein-style crimpers and nylon insulated butt-crimp connectors. A crimper tightens the crimp connector to make permanent electrical connections. Never twist wires together without making a mechanical connection (crimp or solder), as the vibration and tension on them can cause twisted connections to pull apart. This is a critical step in the installation of car electronics products, as a loose or broken connection can prevent your electronics from working properly and identifying the source of the electrical problem can be a time-consuming process.
• Insulating Connections - Insulate your connections with high quality electrical tape such as 3M Super33+ or 3M Temflex 1700 or use heat shrink tubing.
• Avoid Wire Nuts - Never use wire nuts for wire connections in a vehicle. Wire nuts are not designed to hold up to the vibration and temperature conditions present in a moving vehicle.
2. Disconnect the Negative Battery Cable – Before beginning any installation, disconnect the negative battery cable. Disconnecting the battery prevents courtesy lights from draining the battery during the mechanical parts of the installation. Use an appropriate socket or open-ended wrench to loosen the negative battery terminal. Remove the terminal from the battery and place it aside where it will not contact the battery or positive terminal. Use duct tape or a shop towel to hold the negative terminal in place if necessary.
3. A Good Light Source – It can be hard to see under the dashboard and behind vehicle panels. A good light source such as a drop light or LED work light is crucial for any install.
4. Interior Panel Storage and Hardware Management – Installing car audio products involves taking apart interior and/or trunk trim panels. This process includes removing screws, plastic panel snaps, and releasing hidden panel clips.
• Safe Storage - Prior to disassembly, choose a safe place to store the panel pieces you will remove to avoid scratches or other panel damage. Do not store panels underneath or on the roof of the car.
• Hardware Management - Keep screws and hardware in clearly marked plastic bags or containers. Labels should indicate where the hardware came from, such as the driver’s door panel or dashboard. This will ensure each part goes back in the right place during reassembly.
• Removing Panels – Remove all hardware that attaches the panel. Look for hidden hardware behind door pulls, switch panels or in A/C vents. Do not use screwdrivers to pry off plastic and upholstered panels. This will scratch or gouge the panels. Always use a plastic pry tool for panel removal. Wedge the pry tool into the panel seam and pry gently to release the panel clip(s). Review the product installation instructions for additional information about vehicle disassembly requirements.
5. Avoid Moving Parts and Heat Sources – When choosing where to run the wiring in your car, always avoid any moving parts or heat sources.
• Moving Parts: Mechanical parts such as brake pedal assemblies, steering shafts and others can interfere with wiring and placement of electronics under the dash and inside the engine compartment.
• Heat Sources: In the engine compartment, keep wiring paths away from sources of heat. Wiring insulation can melt in the high heat conditions of the engine compartment. Observe where factory wiring is run and follow those paths. If you must pass wires from the engine compartment into the interior, always use a rubber or plastic insulating grommet to protect the wire from shorting on sharp metal edges after drilling a new hole.
6. Properly Test and Connect Wiring – Before you connect the wire harness or electronic device, test the vehicle wiring to confirm the circuit type (positive or negative). Once this is verified, safely connect and insulate the wiring.
• Test Wiring and New Products - Reconnect the battery when you need to test wiring or check the operation of the new car audio products installed.
• Use a DMM - Always use a Digital Multimeter (DMM) to test circuit voltage and polarity of the vehicle wiring where aftermarket products will connect. A DMM is an electronic measuring instrument that provides accurate measurements of the vehicle's electrical system including battery voltage and resistance in speaker connections. Never test car wiring with an incandescent test light because it can damage sensitive electronics like vehicle computers and air bags.
• Wire Connections - Safely connect wiring by soldering or crimping wire connections. Soldering is the best connection type because the solder provides a mechanical bond to the connection, thus preventing oxidation of the copper wire. Use a cordless soldering iron and electrical solder for soldering connections. If crimping wire connections, use Klein-style crimpers and nylon insulated butt-crimp connectors. A crimper tightens the crimp connector to make permanent electrical connections. Never twist wires together without making a mechanical connection (crimp or solder), as the vibration and tension on them can cause twisted connections to pull apart. This is a critical step in the installation of car electronics products, as a loose or broken connection can prevent your electronics from working properly and identifying the source of the electrical problem can be a time-consuming process.
• Insulating Connections - Insulate your connections with high quality electrical tape such as 3M Super33+ or 3M Temflex 1700 or use heat shrink tubing.
• Avoid Wire Nuts - Never use wire nuts for wire connections in a vehicle. Wire nuts are not designed to hold up to the vibration and temperature conditions present in a moving vehicle.
When to Consider Professional Installation
Vehicles are complex machines. Before attempting any DIY installation, assess your comfort level with the installation of electronics and mechanics of your vehicle.
Consider a professional installer if:
1) You are not comfortable disassembling vehicle interior panels.
2) You do not have a suitable work area available.
3) You do not have the recommended tools for the job.
Many independent retail installation shops welcome jobs with products purchased on Amazon.com. Professional installers can also provide many of the installation accessories you need. Always look for a Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP) installation technician to handle your most challenging installation needs.
Want to purchase installation now? Find an InstallerNet card on Amazon.com that corresponds to your job type.
Consider a professional installer if:
1) You are not comfortable disassembling vehicle interior panels.
2) You do not have a suitable work area available.
3) You do not have the recommended tools for the job.
Many independent retail installation shops welcome jobs with products purchased on Amazon.com. Professional installers can also provide many of the installation accessories you need. Always look for a Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP) installation technician to handle your most challenging installation needs.
Want to purchase installation now? Find an InstallerNet card on Amazon.com that corresponds to your job type.
THANKS: amazon.com