View Full Version : Several audio questions...
hookem2oo7
09-21-2006, 09:57 AM
As you can tell, I'm new here, and I'm new to Cougars as well. I have lots of experience modding Saturns (I had a turbo saturn at one point) as well as lots of time spent working with older cars (76 Cobra II). My little sister got a 2000 V6 5-spd Cougar for Christmas this past year, and now she wants me to install an aftermarket headunit and 10" sub/amp. I figure this is simple enough, as I've done it several times in other cars. I've got the power/ground/remote/rcas wired for the amp (that grommet through the firewall was tough to get to :) ), and I attempted to install the headunit. Here's where the problems start
1. With the factory CD player, the front left speaker doesnt work, and both right side speakers are intermittent. Is this a common problem (I searched and didn't find much)? Could this be the factory headunit causing this or do I need to pick up a set of replacement speakers?
2. I can't seem to find the right harness for wiring the aftermarket unit in. I've gone to 3 different places now that have sold me the Ford 87-00 harness, but it doesn't seem to plug into the leads coming from the car's harness. Is there something special here or am I just not seeing something right?
Sorry if I'm being a super-noob, but I'd appreciate the help from those of you who have more experience with these cars than I do.
LostRacer
09-21-2006, 11:07 AM
Welcome to the boards.
1)That hasn't been a common problem from what I've seen. It could very well be the stock HU. Try to get the new H installed and see if it still does it. On side note-replacing the stock speakers will make it sound better much better.
2) This happens a lot. There are 2 different harnesses IIRC. I'll have to see if I can find that thread again. I believe we had them pictured. Another thing yo can do is go back to one fo the installers and inform them that they gave you the wrong one and let them know there should be a listing for another as well.
Good Luck!
Well I was close..3 different harnesses.. (http://www.newcougar.org/forums/showthread.php?t=80539&highlight=Radio+wire+harness) That thred has some info on it.
seaneyo99
09-21-2006, 11:09 AM
I have heard of the speakers not working and being intermittent while using the stock cd player. Give crutchfield a call thats where i got my harness from and seems to work great. Don't worry about the speakers till after you install the h/u then if they dont work troubleshoot em.
Drewmanfu0
09-21-2006, 05:48 PM
You need the metra wire part 70-1771 ford/mazda 98+ 16 pin.
hookem2oo7
09-23-2006, 07:03 PM
my sister's car-side harness looks similar to the rectangular harness that is pictured in the linked thread (same one that i bought), but nothing like the 70-1771 harness that was mentioned in the above post. If the intermittent speaker problem isn't corrected with the HU install, i'll replace the speakers, and yes, i agree that aftermarket speakers sound much better :) .
seaneyo99
09-23-2006, 09:37 PM
and yes, i agree that aftermarket speakers sound much better :) .
True they do . But just wait till you get that h/u installed. you will be amazed at how good the stockies sound.
darksleeper123
09-27-2006, 11:19 PM
I don't know if you have a stock amp, but i know I had to follow the leads of a stock head unit on a 93 mustang. To bypass the amp to get the stock speakers to work correctly. Hopefully that is not the case it took me about four hours to trace the wires. P.S. I did not have the stocK wiring diagram. GOOD LUCK!
seaneyo99
09-27-2006, 11:43 PM
Dont think cougars came with any type of stock amplified system.....
hookem2oo7
09-29-2006, 10:03 AM
I got it all figured out. I just didn't try hard enough to plug the harness in because it looked different, but it did plug in, and works great. All four speakers work flawlessly now.
seaneyo99
09-29-2006, 03:30 PM
I got it all figured out. I just didn't try hard enough to plug the harness in because it looked different, but it did plug in, and works great. All four speakers work flawlessly now.
I knew i remember hearing someone eles say they were having problems with speakers cutting out with their stock deck. They got a diff deck and BAM they all works lol. Im glad to hear its fixed.