Can't get front speakers to work with new stereo.

[Bill]

I am unable to get the front speakers to work on a 2007 XLT. After looking over other threads it appears I'm experiencing the same issue people have when installing an aftermarket stereo with a factory amp. When I bought the truck it was mentioned to me that it has a factory amp, but only for the front. The front speakers work if I plugh the factory stereo plugged back in with hardly any audio from the back speakers. With the new stereo there is absolutely no audio from the front speakers, but the rear speakers are much louder than with the stock stereo, which appears to be consistent with what I was told when I bought the truck. I did check the front and rear fader, so that's not a problem. I used a Metra 70-1771 wiring harness to wire it up to the Alpine. Alpine and Metra use the same colors on their wiring, so it's wired correctly. One thing I did notice is that the Metra wiring harness leaves out pins 2, 3, and 4. The harness in the dash has wiring for pins 2 and 3. I tried the remote wires on the Alpine on both those wires. It didn't activate the amp. Also, I'm unable to locate the amp. I've read it's mostl likey under the rear passenger speaker. Ford parts has a diagram that has mounted by the passenger seatbelt behind the seat. Someone else found the amp under the passenger seat. Another found it by the fuse box on the passneger site, and there was mention of two other locations behind the dash. I've looked in all those ares to see if I can locate the amp and maybe figure out the wire colors.

Does anyone know what wire or pin activates the amp and where it's supposed to be located?

 

[superj]

Might have to wire around the factory amp.

Just run the fronts on their own from the stereo

 

[Bill]

Might have to wire around the factory amp.

Just run the fronts on their own from the stereo

I'm trying to avoid that for the short term. I plan to upgrade the speakers and amp in the future.

I managed to find a service manual for the stock radio with a pinout. The Metra wiring harness doesn't have pin 16 which is the power amp ground.

 

[rubydist]

At least once with Rangers, I have had to re-pin the Metra harness because it didn't match up with the actual vehicle wiring harness. I am guessing that is what is going on here for you.

 

[superj]

thats a bummer they left out the amp power. it seems weird

how many rangers came with amps? is there a specific trim or stereo to look for to have the amp?

my 2004 had the cd player stereo with front and rear speakers (even though its a single cab). i wonder if mine has the amp?

 

[Bill]

I called Metra about the missing pin. It was insisted that was removed in 2013 because it is not needed.

I looked for the amp today and couldn't find it. There are plenty of posts regarding factory amps in a variety of locations. It is really looking like I will have to run some wires directly to the new stereo. I was really hoping I could bypass the amp and not have to go through the trouble of running wires right now. If I'm going to do that I'm going to buy some speakers so I can replace the stock ones while I have the door panels off. I just need to figure out what is a good speaker to buy. This is hard to do when there isn't anywhere I can listen to the speakers. Then, at some point in the future, upgrade the speakers behind the seat because they sound terrible. But, that may have something to do with the hollow space around them which is plastic and sheet metal.

 

[fastpakr]

You mentioned that there are two connectors on the vehicle side harness that the Metra adapter harness doesn't contact. One is labelled as amp ground - what's the other?

Also - have you tried connecting the amp ground wire directly to ground on the chassis?

Edit/also #2 - did the truck come with the Pioneer system?

 

[Bill]

I tried all the unused pins. No luck. I happened to drive past a car audio store and went in to ask them. Their documentation states it should be under the driver seat, but no amp there. Their documentation also states the amp connected through an 8 pin plug. No 8 pin plug. I did notice one wire that is on the same harness as the speaker behind the driver's set that appears to go along the top of the back panel. I'll have to investigate that. Otherwise, it looks like I may have to run speaker wires to the front doors.

 

[Jim Oaks]

When I changed out the radio in TRS-2 I didn't get any sound because I didn't connect the wire from my new radio to trigger the amp.

My 1996 Ford Ranger 4x4 (TRS-2) Re-Build

Electrical tape does wonders to cover the "check engine" light...

www.therangerstation.com

On my 96 it was a dark blue wire.

This diagram is for a 2006:

https://therangerstation.com/tech_library/pdf_documents/2006_Ranger_Radio_Audiophile.pdf

Looks like it's a white / violet wire that triggers the amp.

 

[Bill]

It's a matter of what wire triggers the amp. I have the premium sound system (Radio w/CD player & MP3). I was told I have an amp for the front only. I suppose it's possible that information is wrong. If so, why will audio not pass through to the speakers unless the OEM radio is plugged in?

I took a look at Chilton's Online to view diagrams for 2007 and 2008. Color codes on mine match 2008, but I didn't have any luck trying the relevant wires.

 

[Bill]

I figured it out. There doesn't appear to be an amplifier. The problem was the connector that goes into the back of the stereo has pins that don't show continuity to the wire. It just happened to be one wire on the front left and both on the front right. I ran a trial run using a connector from a really old Alpine I have and both front and back work. And although the clarity of the sound is better, it's obvious the stock speakers and stereo are tuned for each other. So, I need to do research on speakers and maybe an amp.

So, this is a reminder that when something doesn't work right, never forget to diagnose the most trivial items.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Glad you got it working.

Can you share the wiring diagrams you found for your Ranger? I'll add them to our tech library.

Ford Ranger Wiring Diagrams - The Ranger Station

DISCLAIMER: Activities and vehicle modifications appearing or described at The Ranger Station and it’s pages may be potentially dangerous. We do not endorse any such activity for others or recommend it to any particular person – we simply describe … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Apologies, posted in wrong thread. Getting older sucks.