Need help installing new head unit over the stock radio

[Tarkhuna]

I have a ’97 Cobra with the 460 Mach system, which has the radio player on the top and the CD player on the bottom. I was looking to switch the stock radio head unit to the Pioneer DEH-S4220BT while still keeping the bottom CD player. My one issue currently is the 6-pin connector that plugs into the stock radio and stock CD player. If that plug is not connected, I don’t get any sound from any of my speakers, but the Pioneer unit turns on and connects to my phone. I know the wiring is all correct on the harness that I bought. To me, it seems as if those 6-pin connectors not being plugged in causes the speakers not to work, because I tested it with the stock radio as well, and if that connector isn’t plugged in, then there’s no sound either. Is there any way to jump them? See the attached pictures for the connectors that I am talking about and thank you in advance for any help.

 

[ttocs]

ya can't connect the stock cd to an aftermarket deck. To get sound connect the blue or blue/white amp turn on on the factory harness to the remote turn on of the radio(blue).

 

[Tarkhuna]

ya can't connect the stock cd to an aftermarket deck. To get sound connect the blue or blue/white amp turn on on the factory harness to the remote turn on of the radio(blue).

You are a genius, and I think I have to get checked for brain tumors. It was literally one more little wire that I had to connect for everything to work. Thank you so much!

 

[ttocs]

does it make a loud pop when it turns on? The mach system uses a 6v remote turn on rather than the 12v the deck supplies and it can cause this. If it happens and bugs you it can be fixed.

 

[PNW Mike]

For updating the Mach 460 with an aftermarket head unit and/or speakers, there is a bunch of information in these threads, including notes on which Metra adapters to use in various situations:

Mach460 Metra question and CD Player Delete

Hello! I want to switch out my head unit for a new one in my 96 Cobra. I am not sure, if I need the Metra 5510 or 5511 wiring harness, but I ordered both (if anyone has a tip which to use to not get the pop of the amps, I am very grateful!) Since the CD Player of the Mach460 system doesn't have...

www.sn95forums.com

help with dash unit wiring

1996 cobra convertible with mach 460 sound system OEM apologize up front for newbie questions and phrasing -- this is not something i have messed with before -- per a youtube video, i took out the radio and CD player and moved the heater/ ac controls to the bottom slot -- i opted to go this...

www.sn95forums.com

03 gt Mach amps bypass

I’m eventually going to reinstall an aftermarket head unit in my 03 but I had some questions. It had a nice Sony radio in it when I bought the car but the sound quality sucked so I threw a stock radio back in thinking that would fix the issue. Nope, there’s next to no bass and the door speakers...

www.sn95forums.com

You can do a head unit only replacement, but most folks seem to eventually find out that the Mach 460 system is best to either leave 100% stock or to replace it completely. The Mach 460 amps are notorious for having issues (they can fail in ways that leave them on all the time which causes battery drain) or for simply failing outright. The Mach 460 speakers are not easily replacable as they are non-standard ohm values, but fortunately they use standard size speaker holes and mounting so you can swap them to aftermarket speakers and use an aftermarket amp. I did a full aftermarket amp and speaker replacement to deal with this after way too much time trying to find an easier solution.

I also opted to swap to a double DIN head unit using an aftermarket surround for the center stack that was intended for a new Edge SN95 Mustang. It's not a perfect match for the earlier '97 interior, but it's close enough for me to deal with in exchange for getting the bnenefits of a double din stereo - Android Auto and a backup camera made the car so much nicer to drive. The only thing I wish I could do but have thus far been unable to find a way to do, is to add steering wheel audio controls. I'm spoiled in this respect by my other newer cars.

 

[Slice]

Others will probably tell me to pound sand but I left my stock radio and CD player in the car wanting to preserve originality as much as possible, at least on the interior. Outside just has cat delete through Flowmasters and a lowered front end but that's about it.

 

[PNW Mike]

Others will probably tell me to pound sand but I left my stock radio and CD player in the car wanting to preserve originality as much as possible, at least on the interior. Outside just has cat delete through Flowmasters and a lowered front end but that's about it.

There's nothing wrong with an original stereo if that's your style. Some folks want to listen to the exhaust and never turn on the stereo, some folks are fine with FM or CD's. Your ride, your style, your choice. My comments are only directed at helping folks who want to change out their stereo like I did.

I prefer to do things such that the car can be returned to stock, if desired. No hacking wiring, etc. if you can avoid it. Sometimes you have to make irreversible changes to get the result you want, but not always.

 

[ttocs]

you can also keep the stock look by installing a single din pocket and have a small storage space. Now that spot isn't a great spot as a half hard launch can send what ever is in there in the back seat but it can be helpful and they are easy to install(push into place and it snaps in)

 

[PNW Mike]

you can also keep the stock look by installing a single din pocket and have a small storage space. Now that spot isn't a great spot as a half hard launch can send what ever is in there in the back seat but it can be helpful and they are easy to install(push into place and it snaps in)

But.. seeing how far you can launch stuff from the storage cubby on hard launches would be fun!

 

[Tarkhuna]

Again, thank you all for the help. So far, there doesn't seem to be any loud pop when it turns on, and it works perfectly, I'll keep an eye out for a drained battery but so far no issues. I did end up just having a space cubby instead of the CD player at the bottom.