Help with fader bypass

gabenheimer · 01-19-2005, 08:04 PM

I'm trying to install a new in-dash CD player in my '86 Targa and I need help bypassing the factory fader switch. When I removed the old tape deck installed by the PO I discovered that there are only right and left speaker leads in the dash. The factory fader switch is intact in the center console, and presumably still works. I'd like to bypass the factory switch and use the four speaker leads from the new deck. Where is the best place to splice into the factory speaker wires and disable the fader switch? My car is not equipped with the factory amplifier although it looks like the wiring harness is under the front passenger seat.

scottb · 01-19-2005, 09:56 PM

On my car, it appears the PO simply snipped the leads at the back of the fader. I removed the fader, and covered the hole with a trim plate that our host sells (part number C-552-269-00, $2.90). It looks perfect. Here's a picture from the Pelican catalog:

gabenheimer · 01-20-2005, 06:13 PM

Thanks, I'll be sure to order the trim plate! Do all of the speaker leads (4 speakers) terminate at the fader switch?

david914 · 01-20-2005, 06:29 PM

Yes they do. The simplest way to get the job done is to connect 4 pairs of wires to your new head unit and route them down to behind the center console. Disconnect the factory fader and splice your new wires into the four factory pairs. To determine which wires connect to which speaker, take a battery (AA, C, or D cell) and connect it to each pair of wires and see which speaker makes a noise when you touch the the wires to the battery.

porschenut · 01-20-2005, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by david914
To determine which wires connect to which speaker, take a battery (AA, C, or D cell) and connect it to each pair of wires and see which speaker makes a noise when you touch the the wires to the battery.

Are you serious? This is a GREAT tip!

david914 · 01-20-2005, 07:01 PM

I've never been more serious in my life. If there's one thing I take as seriously as I do my Porsches, it's audio.

gabenheimer · 01-20-2005, 08:05 PM

Thanks david914. I've used the battery trick before and it works well. I took a quick look behind the console and the fader switch hooks into a flat plug with four wires. Is anybody familiar with this plug? Do I keep digging back through the wiring harness until I find all eight wires?

scottb · 01-20-2005, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gabenheimer
I took a quick look behind the console and the fader switch hooks into a flat plug with four wires. Is anybody familiar with this plug? Do I keep digging back through the wiring harness until I find all eight wires?

I'm gonna take a wild guess here...the four wires are the four (+) leads from the speakers, and there's a common ground somewhere "upstream."

The resident audio expert on the board here is "Bell." I think he owns a car audio shop. You might send him a PM or e-mail and get his thoughts. If you do, and he replies, please post his comments.

gabenheimer · 01-22-2005, 05:59 PM

After removing the passenger carpeting I cut out the factory flat plug and identified the individual speaker wires using the battery trick. The new system sounds great. Thanks for everybody's help!

Randy

Re: Factory fader switch
i saw your thread but have been having computer problems.
pull up the carpet on the passenger side near the footwell and the center console, you should see a thick black a/c/fan harness and some brown/brown red stripe wires leading into the console, this is how my 85' was and those are the speaker wires.
i've seen some 911's where the rear wires ran strait back from the console, if so you can grab them by the shift linkage cover under the rear carpet.
the black plastic piece on the back of the console is easily removed, revealing the 2 hidden screws which hold down the console (the 3rd is below the e-brake handle) if you need to get into it that far.....but you shouldn't.

worse case you could pull the kick panels and find the wire where it shoots into the door.
if you have a digital camera you could always snap a pic and email me at soyburner911@yahoo.com
let me know if this helps.......or if i confused you....i had a long day
later
brian bell

quote:
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gabenheimer wrote on 01-21-2005 11:00 PM:
Hi Bell!

I'm told you are the audio expert on the board. I hope you can help me. I'm trying to install a new CD player in my '86 Targa and I need to bypass the factory fader switch. I don't plan on using an amp at this point, just the power from the deck. Do you know where I can tap into the four pairs of speaker wires and bypass the fader switch located on the console? Is it easier to run new wires and leave the factory harness alone? Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Randy

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__________________
bell
85' 911 targa
85' shelby charger
akron, ohio

"it's not rocket science....just say yes and we'll move on. "