I was just given a Pioneer head unit couple days ago to replace my stock tape deck (been using an iPod through AUX for years and years). I have two quick questions:

1. The wiring that came with H/U did NOT come with a red wire (ignition), yet the wiring harness in the dash does have an ignition lead (or at least it has a pin for it). The install manual for the H/U says the red wire is only required for vehicles WITHOUT the ACC option on the ignition barrel (which my car does have). I just want to be assured that it's ok not to have an ignition lead going into the H/U.

2. I haven't yet got any replacement 6x9s for the rear or 6"s for the front. My stock speakers still put out a sufficient level of sound for my needs, but they're only rated 15W. The H/U install manual warns against using speakers rated at less than 50W. I would have thought 50W peak load would be insufficient power to blow a set of speakers. Can I install the H/U with the stock speakers as is, or am I best to invest in a new set?

Thanks. =)

'97/98 TF Magna BTW.

I was just given a Pioneer head unit couple days ago to replace my stock tape deck (been using an iPod through AUX for years and years). I have two quick questions:

1. The wiring that came with H/U did NOT come with a red wire (ignition), yet the wiring harness in the dash does have an ignition lead (or at least it has a pin for it). The install manual for the H/U says the red wire is only required for vehicles WITHOUT the ACC option on the ignition barrel (which my car does have). I just want to be assured that it's ok not to have an ignition lead going into the H/U.

2. I haven't yet got any replacement 6x9s for the rear or 6"s for the front. My stock speakers still put out a sufficient level of sound for my needs, but they're only rated 15W. The H/U install manual warns against using speakers rated at less than 50W. I would have thought 50W peak load would be insufficient power to blow a set of speakers. Can I install the H/U with the stock speakers as is, or am I best to invest in a new set?

Thanks. =)

'97/98 TF Magna BTW.


you can run your H/U on stock speakers but it will just sound crappy and when up loud it will be all destorted is all, they wont blow (well mine didnt when i ran stockies any how)

If its the paper cone speakers that I think your talking about then I really don't see why you couldn't run them with the aftermarket head unit. If you wanted to replace the speakers you would also need to invest in a small amplifier to get the most out of your investment. Wont necessarily be much louder but the difference in clarity should be worlds apart from the factories.

How is it possible that the deck doesnt have a red wire?

Thanks guys. @Gemini - the black plug with the input wires that plugs into the back of the HU didn't come with the red wire. The wiring diagram in the install manual shows a red wire should there, it's just not though. The HU (Pioneer DEH-P3950MP) was removed from a mates late 90's Falcon.

thats weird... did your mate cut it heaps short or pull the wire out of the pin or something... or maybe its just not red... I know when I installed my head deck I got heaps confused with which colour wire was which. Cant really help you on that question other than tell you to look for the pin that doesnt have a wire in it and looks to be in the spot where it should be according to the wiring diagrams. You might have to put a wire in yourself.

For your other question about the speakers and head deck... I would say get a good set of front speakers to go with a good head deck. You wont need to replace the rears unless u have people sitting in the back all the time. The stock speakers will run fine on your aftermarket head deck if you dont turn the volume up too much. I dont suggest getting an amp for the speakers... I would say invest the money in a good h/u and front speakers instead. My eclipse cd3100 puts out enough power to happily run my clarion speakers. I have also got a clarion amp for the speakers but have it on 0gain because I dont need it for anymore power. I pretty much just use it for the easy adjustable crossovers.

Wow that was an essay. In the end for your missing wire problem there has to be a pin with a missing wire... so just fit a new wire in to it for the accessories. As for your speakers and head deck. Stock speakers will be fine but if the volumes to much then they will blow. So your better off getting some good front 6" speakers and not have to worry about it. You will also notice a huge difference in sound from stock.

Thanks Mark. There's defiantly no red wire. All the plug contains is the eight speaker wires (grey,white,green,purple), the yellow (active) wire, black (earth/negative) wire and the blue (remote/amp/auto-antenna) wire. I'll have a word with my mate tomorrow to see if he removed it. I'll have a go at adding the wire myself, otherwise I'll try and track down a new loom somewhere.

JB Hifi has adapter wiring harnesses that will cost you about $30. That way all you will need to do is plug and play.
Pioneer is one brand that they generally carry on the shelf, I have done it a few times now without issue.

Yeah, I'm with Dazmag on this one..... Assuming that the Pioneer HU has radio memory and other stuff that would benefit from a constant 12V supply (and that you mate removed a wire for reasons we can only guess at?).

Unless you can add a wire easily into the plug that came with the HU, I would suggest buying wiring harness adaptors - Aerpro is one brand sold thru auto shops and audio places - check out website for Aerpro, there is a product listing.

You could easily buy a pre-wired plug that suits the Pioneer... these will likely be available as "Pioneer to bare-wires" or "Pioneer to ISO plugs" - the advantage of the latter is that you can also buy "ISO plugs to Mitsubishi" adaptors - making the whole install of aftermarket HU into Magna a plug-an-play/no-solder/no shorting/no-fuss experience.

The ISO plugs are a two-plug standard common in Europe, there is one rectangular plug for speaker connections and another rectangular plug for power/earth/mute/antenna etc - the plugs have tabs/notches so its impossible to cross-connect the plugs wrongly.

Prices of the harness adaptors vary a bit, they are available on EBay too - but I've generally found them when needed in real-world stores for prices just as cheap.... expect to pay about $18 or so for a "bare wires" version, and $25-$30 for an ISO version. The few extra dollars is well worth it to avoid having to cut/strip and then solder wiring in the dash. Thats my opinion.