I bought my sister a Harman Kardon Drive+Play ipod integration kit (http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/docs/owners_manual.pdf) for her 2002 Ford Escort. I figured any idiot could install it; either I was wrong, or I'm a special kind of idiot.
The device comes with a 12 volt DC plug for the cigarette lighter, and a three-wire bundle w/ built-in fuse for hardwiring to the car's power, so you can choose which power scheme to go with. I want to hardwire the device, otherwise it wouldn't be very integrated. That's where the trouble comes in.
There's a lead to the battery with an in-line fuse, a lead to the ACC switch in the ignition, and a ground....what's the best way to do this? I figured the device draws so little power, I could just splice each wire into the respective wires leading into the harness for the head unit, but I don't know how to determine which wires are which without a wiring diagram for this model (or even if it's a good idea). I guess my other option is running the wires all the way to the switch at the ignition or the terminal at the battery, but that seems like a hassle for such a simple little toy (mainly because I'd have to look for the switch at the ignition, I don't know where exactly it might be or what it might look like, and because the battery's real far away). Otherwise, I was thinking I could just cut into the wires powering the cigarette lighter, but I don't know if that would be a good idea either.
What's the best way to do this? There are some specs and diagrams for the device I'm trying to power in the owner's manual at the link above, and the head unit is the standard factory model for a 2002 Ford Escort. I really appreciate any advice you might have for me. I've found some great articles and topics on this site that would serve as great guides, but it seems like I should be able to do this and keep the existing wiring largely intact. If I'm wrong or I'm just not putting two and two together, then don't mind me, you can pretend I was never here. Either way, thanks a lot!
Replies (4)
ttocs on 12/26/2006 23:57:39
you should be able to get all those behind the radio. You need to get a test light or cheap volt-meter. They are $5-10 at your local auto parts store and are still alot cheaper and better off. If you get the radio pulled out of the dash, to further help you out take it to the auto parts store and match up an after market hrns. With this you can easily identify the wires and then test them. You will not need the hrns so keep the receipt, and do not mangle the hrns too bac and you can return it.
As for connections, crimp is acceptable with the proper tools, soldering is always preferred.
swez on 12/27/2006 09:32:36
The easiest way to use this kit, would be to power it off the cigarette lighter wiring option. That makes this unit easy to install and basically a plug and play device.
If you elect to hardwire everything, removing the HU is very easy with the correct tools. As ttocs mentioned, you'll have to probe the factory harness to find the ACC/IGN, Constant +12 volt and find the ground as well. Then splice into the correct wires with crimp connections or solder and shrink tubing. (The latter takes more time, the right tools and enough electronics know how to do the job well)
This H/K unit draws very little power, (1/2 amp) so hardwiring should not be a problem. The rest is pretty much a wireless FM Transmitter to stock HU unless this HU has a CD player output port. Tapping into the CD changer port would give better sound quality then the FM modulator, but a bit more work too.
Swez
wonkbulc on 12/27/2006 19:07:43
I took your advice and went with the cigarette adapter option, and plugged into the audio in on the head unit. It did turn out to be pretty easy that way, and the unit works fine. Thanks a lot for the advice!
swez on 12/27/2006 19:49:58
Wannaful... see how easy and hassle free that was? Nice gift there bud... cool product!
Swez
The device comes with a 12 volt DC plug for the cigarette lighter, and a three-wire bundle w/ built-in fuse for hardwiring to the car's power, so you can choose which power scheme to go with. I want to hardwire the device, otherwise it wouldn't be very integrated. That's where the trouble comes in.
There's a lead to the battery with an in-line fuse, a lead to the ACC switch in the ignition, and a ground....what's the best way to do this? I figured the device draws so little power, I could just splice each wire into the respective wires leading into the harness for the head unit, but I don't know how to determine which wires are which without a wiring diagram for this model (or even if it's a good idea). I guess my other option is running the wires all the way to the switch at the ignition or the terminal at the battery, but that seems like a hassle for such a simple little toy (mainly because I'd have to look for the switch at the ignition, I don't know where exactly it might be or what it might look like, and because the battery's real far away). Otherwise, I was thinking I could just cut into the wires powering the cigarette lighter, but I don't know if that would be a good idea either.
What's the best way to do this? There are some specs and diagrams for the device I'm trying to power in the owner's manual at the link above, and the head unit is the standard factory model for a 2002 Ford Escort. I really appreciate any advice you might have for me. I've found some great articles and topics on this site that would serve as great guides, but it seems like I should be able to do this and keep the existing wiring largely intact. If I'm wrong or I'm just not putting two and two together, then don't mind me, you can pretend I was never here. Either way, thanks a lot!
Replies (4)
ttocs on 12/26/2006 23:57:39
you should be able to get all those behind the radio. You need to get a test light or cheap volt-meter. They are $5-10 at your local auto parts store and are still alot cheaper and better off. If you get the radio pulled out of the dash, to further help you out take it to the auto parts store and match up an after market hrns. With this you can easily identify the wires and then test them. You will not need the hrns so keep the receipt, and do not mangle the hrns too bac and you can return it.
As for connections, crimp is acceptable with the proper tools, soldering is always preferred.
swez on 12/27/2006 09:32:36
The easiest way to use this kit, would be to power it off the cigarette lighter wiring option. That makes this unit easy to install and basically a plug and play device.
If you elect to hardwire everything, removing the HU is very easy with the correct tools. As ttocs mentioned, you'll have to probe the factory harness to find the ACC/IGN, Constant +12 volt and find the ground as well. Then splice into the correct wires with crimp connections or solder and shrink tubing. (The latter takes more time, the right tools and enough electronics know how to do the job well)
This H/K unit draws very little power, (1/2 amp) so hardwiring should not be a problem. The rest is pretty much a wireless FM Transmitter to stock HU unless this HU has a CD player output port. Tapping into the CD changer port would give better sound quality then the FM modulator, but a bit more work too.
Swez
wonkbulc on 12/27/2006 19:07:43
I took your advice and went with the cigarette adapter option, and plugged into the audio in on the head unit. It did turn out to be pretty easy that way, and the unit works fine. Thanks a lot for the advice!
swez on 12/27/2006 19:49:58
Wannaful... see how easy and hassle free that was? Nice gift there bud... cool product!
Swez
Copyright ClubKnowledge 2009 * All Rights Reserved
