Expert: Cleggsan - 7/21/2009

Question
Hello, i have a 1992 ford explorer eddie bauer edition. I tried to replace the factory stereo with a new stereo i bought. The wiring kits i bought would not work with the factory wiring so i tried to wire it the hard way. I cut open the black and grey wires connecting to the harnesses and i found out what all the smaller wires go to. The only problem is that i wired everything correctly to my stereo, but my speakers are not playing anything. While trying to wire my stereo the first couple of times i got one or two speakers to work, but now i have it wired right and nothing is playing. I was just wondering if i did something wrong or if i am missing something. There is an exposed wire that was inside the grey bulk wire and i don't know what it goes to. I have looked around the internet and i found out it may be a wire to the factory amp, but i have new speakers so that is gone. It also said something about bypassing the factory amp wire, but i don't know if that is what i actually have to do. I would like to find out before i go buy a bypass kit. So, in a nutshell, can you find anything wrong that would be affecting my speakers? Also, i almost forgot, the new speakers do work because they worked with my factory stereo.

Please and Thank you :)

Answer
Go here to get the wiring diagram.

http://www.installdr.com/Harnesses/Ford-Wiring.pdf

You really should use a wiring harness which allows you to unplug easily and match the wires of the car to the wiring of the radio replacement.

Now, what you say is true about the possibility that your existing system has an external amplifier. If so, and you are not using it you must bypass it.  You may have to trace out some wires to find out where they are going.   The amplifier could be mounted under the dash, under a seat or in the back under some panel.  I don't remember the explorer and there were many different models of audio that were available in the Eddie Bauer series.

If you plan to use the existing external amplifier you will have to run audio cables from the head unit to inputs on the amp.

Best wishes,
C