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Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: renton481 on June 14, 2005, 09:47:52 PM

Title: stock AM radio connection wires
Post by: renton481 on June 14, 2005, 09:47:52 PM
Hi guys,
Another dumb question from a newbie.

The stock AM radio on my 79 wagon bit the dust a couple months ago...  so I found a replacement -- actually two.   

I took the bad radio out, and found it's an Audiovox.  The replacements I've got are both 70's Philcos.  One is identical to the one that was in the 1970 Maverick my family had when I learned to drive, and has larger dimensions than the Audiovox.  The second Philco I've got is a later model that has the same exact dimensions as the Audiovox.  Both have different wiring than the Audiovox.... and that's the problem.

Can someone explain the Pinto's radio connection cables?   There's a black connector that has a yellow wire and blue wire.  There's another connector (light yellow plastic) that has four wires coming from it. 

The Audiovox radio also has a black wire that looks like a ground wire, and the obvious antenna jack.

Altogether, that seems like a lot of wires. 
Title: Re: stock AM radio connection wires
Post by: TIGGER on June 14, 2005, 10:02:02 PM
If I remember correctly, the two prong connector is for power.  One lead for the radio the other is for the face plate light ( I believe the blue wire).  I assume the 4 wire plug is for the speakers.  The radio housing needs to be grounded for it to work.  Hope this helps....
Title: Re: stock AM radio connection wires
Post by: billnall on June 15, 2005, 12:44:39 PM
A stock radio has a 2 wire black rubber plug for the speaker.
I do not remember what the other the other plug looks like, but should have at least 3 wires, 1 for power,
1 for light, 1 for ground.
Title: Re: stock AM radio connection wires
Post by: pintoman on June 15, 2005, 09:10:23 PM
The yellow wire is the ignition lead[12v's when the key is on],the blue wire is for when you have the dash lights on.I believe the four wire plug is for the speakers,and the black wire is the ground wire.
Title: Re: stock AM radio connection wires
Post by: renton481 on July 18, 2005, 08:54:25 PM
Hey all,
Thanks for the responses. 

I just installed a replacement AM radio and your answers were helpful.

I just put a 1970 Philco AM radio in my Pinto -- it was originally in a Fairlane or Montego (acc. to the Sams specs).  It sounds miles better than my original radio did -- for one thing, no ignition interference (thanks to the 1970 radio having a spark plate).

Now all I need to do it fix or alter the plastic cowl, then it will look better in the car......