My 1974 came with a junkie Kenwood CD player that skips over every bump. I have a radio that came out of a 1975 914 but need advice please on installation. The Kenwood has a proprietary plug connected to a bunch of wires, maybe 7 or 8. I suspect the original Porsche wiring is cut to fit into the special plug that goes into the back of this monstrosity.

In looking at the original Blaupunkt radio, I only see 4 wires and a hole for the antenna connector. Wouldn't each speaker need two wires (total 4), a 12V hot wire and a ground for a minimum of 6? What's with the special plug coming out of the radio: is it only one of two speaker connectors (like the other one is missing?).

Any help is appreciated.

Paul

The Kenwood.

Click to view attachment

The Blaupunkt.

What are the wire colors ? They are somewhat universal as to their function...

More...

Finally,

Two faceplates. Think I like the "in dash" look but my current dashboard piece has the big square hole in it.

Anyway, thanks!

Paul

I'll have to go under the dash to look at some point. I'm just trying to line up an early attack strategy here.

Paul

One wire goes to power, two to each speaker +, and one wire to both speaker commons. There should be a stud with a nut on the back of the unit that attaches to a strap that attaches somewhere under the dash. That acts as an anti-vibration brace and a ground. I'm betting that kenwood had that strap missing. If it was in place it probably would not have skipped on every bump. New cd players have anti skip built into the units.

Concerning the speakers, it just looks like 2 brown wires, connected to each other, splay into that funky connector. Shouldn't the radio have 4 wires to connect the speakers? Shouldn't there be 6 wires coming out of the back? I only have 4...

Paul

Just looked at my Motorola made VW4412 AM/FM/8-Track that was in my 914 since I bought it back in 75 - 4 wires Black, Blue, Red, White + round Antenna recepticle. I don't recall the colors to which color on the harness right now, but Curtis has that above.

Also, AA sells basketweave material & face plate backer if you want to get the vintage 914 radio plate look.

Mine came with a plastic basketweave faceplate specifically cut to fit the radio & 914 dash, with the 1/2-round cut out at the top right for the glove box lock.

That radio was made before the switch to floating speaker grounds. The speaker negative could be the vehicle chassis unless it is a mono unit. It it is mono, there is only a single speaker channel and your funky connector could be both positive and negative speaker leads.

Then it's gotta be mono. I'm SURE it would say "Stereo" on it otherwise, no? Shouldn't be any harm in splitting the signal from that dual connector then, one positive and one negative wire sent to each speaker then.

Paul

Could this be the connector? This would indicate that the radio is in fact mono...

Speaker Connector

Paul

If it is mono, you will damage it if you wire the speakers in paralelle. You need to wire them in series. For a series circuit, Left speaker positive to radio. Left speaker negative to Right speaker positive. Right speaker negative to radio. This will double the speaker impeedance and protect the amplifier circuit. If they are wired in paralelle, it will half the load and burn out the radio.

I would not waste money on that connector. A standard crimp bullet is all you need. That connector is called a "banana" and is mostly used in home Hi-Fi.

Thanks for the wiring/connecting advice.

Paul

I have brown wires under my dash like that; they go to what looks like a potentiometer and splits off to both sides of the car.

If I have a chance I'll get pics for you.

Mono. Best to wire speakers in series. What's the knob on the back in the lower right corner? Antenna trim? Bench test the thing before you install it. You might want to clean the volume pot (TV tuner cleaner sprayed inside pot).

yup, mono, I had that once.

the time before stereo, only am/fm, no stinking cassetes, CD's, mps, ipods, etc... too many distractions to the fun of 914 driving

I don't really know. It's right under the antenna plug, a trim would somehow help with tuning?

Anyway, since the radio came out of a 914 I thought a lot of people would have said AHA!!! This is the same radio I have! THIS is how to hook it up, etc. Seems like there must be a bunch of different radios installed.

I got it from Brad Mayeur. Maybe he didn't include the potentiometer connector thingy. I'll post on my progress as things develop...

Thanks windforfun and everyone who has posted!

Paul

Here, you go; two wires in, and 4 out. (one pair in, 2 pair out)

Balance control (left to right)?