I'm so proud!!

I did my first full radio install on my friends 96 civic the other day. It was pretty interesting having to remove the stock radio then install his sony. I had to wire splice and put electrical tape for the harnesses (civic to sony) and the radio wouldn't turn on at first which I wasn't surprised since I did the wiring myself with not much experience. tried again, still nothing.

I figured I had a bad connection with the wire or the radio didn't work. I tell the guy, he goes and turns on his car, radio comes right on, problem solved. Either way, I think I might wanna get a career change to mobile audio installer. too bad the economy sucks right now and nobody is hiring for anything.

A professional installer would have used a wiring kit

yeah should have used a wiring kit, now if he ever wants to return to stock it will be a pain, not to mention loose wires in the back, next time you'll know to get one, its worth the extra 15 bucks

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Originally Posted by akilli89

and put electrical tape for the harnesses (civic to sony)

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?

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Originally Posted by o4aveohb

yeah should have used a wiring kit, now if he ever wants to return to stock it will be a pain, not to mention loose wires in the back, next time you'll know to get one, its worth the extra 15 bucks

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think ya'll have the wrong idea... there was a harness in the stock civic radio, the guy DID buy a honda harness but he didn't get the sony smart harness, I had to wire the harness that came with the sony radio.. if he wants to return to stock, all I gotta do is unplug the honda harness and the plastic part is still there.

yep, got the wrong idea. I personally use butt connectors for stereo installs, but have seen electrical tape used as well.... not sure why unless you solder then cover with electrical tape... in which case, heat shrink tubing would be better.

butt connectors FTW! yeh i was confused too when i read the OP. but do remember there is alot more to car audio installations than just cd players lol. id say, if thats what u r really interested in, and u wanna work for a shop, start by selling the stuff, then as you are there, u can hang with the crew, and get taught how to do things along the way, then u just move to audio installs if the time permits it. but there is alot to learn.

oh yea.. A LOT to learn.

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Originally Posted by subachad

yep, got the wrong idea. I personally use butt connectors for stereo installs, but have seen electrical tape used as well.... not sure why unless you solder then cover with electrical tape... in which case, heat shrink tubing would be better.

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ya i prefer to tin then solder the wires and use heat shrink.

I have seen "professional" shops install WITHOUT a harness. I guess they save 10 bucks on every install, but it adds up. Soldering connections on a stereo install? Kinda tight in there for an iron, and a cold solder joint is worse than a butt connector. If you are interested in this as a career, look into getting MECP certified, then apply. you will get more offers if you are certified.

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Originally Posted by AveoRob

I have seen "professional" shops install WITHOUT a harness. I guess they save 10 bucks on every install, but it adds up. Soldering connections on a stereo install? Kinda tight in there for an iron, and a cold solder joint is worse than a butt connector. If you are interested in this as a career, look into getting MECP certified, then apply. you will get more offers if you are certified.

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lol, no you solder the head unit harness and wiring harness together out of the dash, then just plug it into the stock plug and finish mounting .

too funny, why would you solder in the dash? lol

thats what i was thinkin lol^

I've looked into the MECP. but the school that teaches here locally is real bad and a waste of time. At least from what I hear. (Its Installers Institute.) Although I could just buy the study guide, read everything from that myself and take the test at a center for it and get certified that way...