Nissan 240SX Car Stereo Installation Guide by Ivan Baggett – Updated 05/10/2004
This document describes how to install an aftermarket car stereo into a 1991 - 1993 Nissan 240SX. This particular model of
Nissan was made for several years. This information may or may not be useful for other years and models.
This document shows how to connect a car stereo (head unit) only. No subwoofers, aftermarket amplifiers, crossovers, etc. You
can get amazing sound from just a high-power head unit (4 x 40W) and upgrading the stock speakers (4x6 in. front, 6.5 in. rear).
This system used a Kenwood KDC-1011S AM/FM/CD head unit and Boston Acoustics 2-way 4x6 and 6.5 in. speakers. All
together, $300 of equipment. It was retrofitted into a 1991 Nissan 240SX with a factory premium sound package, replacing the
AM/FM/Cassette head unit and dual-cone speakers. In another installation, the same model of head unit and Sony XPLOD 3-way
6.5 in. speakers were retrofitted into a 1993 Nissan 240SX with the standard (non-amplified) sound package.
I applaud the Nissan designers for making it so easy to install a head unit into the dash. The plastic dash piece that surrounds the
stereo, A/C, and shifter is retained with four spring clips; just lift it off. The stereo is secured into the dash by a bracket and four
mounting screws. Remove these screws, then lift the old stereo unit out. Remove the bracket from the old unit by removing two
screws on each side of the unit. Disconnect all wires to the old unit. You should see two rectangular plastic connectors and an
antenna connector. The wire functions of the plastic connectors are:
WIRE COLOR
LIGHT GREEN
FUNCTION
AMPLIFIER POWER
WHAT IT DOES & HOW TO CONNECT IT
This is an output from the unit. When turned on, the unit
should apply +12V power to this signal. If you have the
Nissan premium sound package, its amplifiers use this signal
to control their on/off state. Connect this to the ANTENNA
POWER output on the new unit.
RED
REAR LEFT SPEAKER +
REAR LEFT SPEAKER -
REAR RIGHT SPEAKER +
REAR RIGHT SPEAKER -
+12V ACCESSORY
GREEN
VIOLET
PINK
DO NOT CONNECT TO GROUND
DO NOT CONNECT TO GROUND
BLUE
This is the main power input to the unit. It is active only
when the ignition is in the ACC or ON positions.
NOT USED
RED W/YELLOW STRIPE
RED W/BLUE STRIPE
BLACK W/RED STRIPE
ILLUMINATION -
ILLUMINATION +
ANTENNA POWER
NOT USED
This is an output from the unit. When turned on, the unit
should apply +12V power to this signal. The power antenna
uses this signal to control its up/down state. Connect to the
ANTENNA POWER output on the new unit.
This is the backup (memory and clock) power input to the
unit. It is always active.
RED W/BLACK STRIPE
+12V BATTERY
BROWN W/WHITE STRIPE FRONT RIGHT SPEAKER -
(correction; was + in previous revision of this document) DO
NOT CONNECT TO GROUND
BROWN
BLUE W/YELLOW STRIPE FRONT LEFT SPEAKER -
BLUE W/WHITE STRIPE FRONT LEFT SPEAKER +
FRONT RIGHT SPEAKER + (correction, was – in previous revision of this document)
DO NOT CONNECT TO GROUND
BLACK (DOES NOT EXIST GROUND
IN CAR’S WIRING
HARNESS)
This is the ground connection for the unit. It should be
connected to the car’s metal frame. The shifter boot retainer
ring is an ideal place to attach to.
If you don’t mind cutting into the car’s wiring, you can cut off the rectangular plastic connectors and attach the head unit wires
directly. If you want to keep the connectors, get a wiring harness adapter from Radio Shack. If you have the Nissan premium
sound package, each speaker has it’s own amplifier. I recommend connecting the new unit’s speaker outputs into the existing
amplifier inputs, instead of direct to the speakers. The existing amplifiers have electronic equalization that enhances bass and
treble response, and sounds better than running the speakers directly from the new unit. You don’t have to do anything special to
do this; the premium sound package should be wired to your new unit in the same way as the chart above.
The stock antenna connector is a non-standard two-prong plug. Cut this off and separate the antenna cable small and large wires.
Install a Motorola-style antenna plug (available at Radio Shack) onto the large wire. Insulate the small wire; it will not be used.
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