Radio wiring on a 1990 Legacy L wagon

CCorsair · Post by **CCorsair** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:07 pm

I just became the owner of a 90 Legacy L wagon and I need help in getting a new radio in.

the wagon had been broken into before i got it sometime last year or this year the former owner really did say but they took the radio out simi=cleamly(theu broke some of the plastic molding near the cup holder and ash tray) but they didn't cut the wires.

I went out here where I live in Elk Grove CA but after going to Best Buy circuit city znc Kragen and autozone none had the wiring adaptor instock for any subaru. will call round and save some gas tomorrow but thought I ask here

I could patch the radio in if I had wiring diagram of what wire went to what ..(found the power connections) just need the speakers now.

Ok thanks..

CC

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:22 pm

Welcome to Legacy Central!

Here ya go:

http://www.surrealmirage.com/vrg3/bcstereo/

Moderators, could we maybe sticky this?

CCorsair · Post by **CCorsair** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 6:12 pm

vrg3 wrote:Welcome to Legacy Central!

Here ya go:

http://www.surrealmirage.com/vrg3/bcstereo/

Moderators, could we maybe sticky this?

Sweet! just what neede..If i can't find it make it..
I figuer the power its the Speakers that would have been fun with a guide.

Thanks.

CC

CCorsair · Post by **CCorsair** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 1:45 am

ok well found a place that had the wiring kit but I hooked every thing up and well not sure why but the radio i have see not to be getting enough power to up. I get a a very low light from the clock and that is it.. I did manage to blow the 15 amp fuse but I replaced that. and my meter said i getting power but I not sure why this radio won't power up... it has been sitting around in its box for some time.

May have to wait till ican get a shop to look at it..

Thanks anyway for the info on the wiring..

CC

Binford · Post by **Binford** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 4:35 am

How exactly did you blow the fuse? You may have blew something internal of the radio as the fuse won't always save it from frying. I'd say double check your wiring, though. Make sure you're getting switched 12v.

CCorsair · Post by **CCorsair** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 6:08 am

Binford wrote:How exactly did you blow the fuse? You may have blew something internal of the radio as the fuse won't always save it from frying. I'd say double check your wiring, though. Make sure you're getting switched 12v.

the fuse blew as I had one of the wire touch for second.. but I also noted tonight the dome light is out so may have hit more than one fuse.. check the radio nothing look blown but it was't a new one just old radio I have in another car.

I install radios before but wasn't paying mind to what wa s doing and droped one of my tools and some wires cross for few seconds but the meter said power is there now,, will have a better look with a fuse tester in the day light.

the radio seems ok I did a close look inside nothing looking fried..will get it checked out but most likely will just find a low cost Cd /radio .

Ok thanks

CC

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 5:09 pm

The 15-amp fuse you're referring to is the "radio" fuse in the under-dash fuse box?

Check the 10-amp fuse in the underhood fuse box too. I think it's labeled "clock" and/or "room light." Replace it whether or not it looks bad, because you can't always tell by looking.

And from now on, disconnect the battery when doing wiring!

CCorsair · Post by **CCorsair** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 5:46 pm

vrg3 wrote:The 15-amp fuse you're referring to is the "radio" fuse in the under-dash fuse box?

Check the 10-amp fuse in the underhood fuse box too. I think it's labeled "clock" and/or "room light." Replace it whether or not it looks bad, because you can't always tell by looking.

And from now on, disconnect the battery when doing wiring!

thanks..I was thinking of doing what I did with my 190 e benz and replace all just because the age of the car and most fuses are the same that started with the car..

I pre-wired the connncention to the wiring kit but i droped the test lead and crossed a wire....you think i never done this before...

BTW you wouldn't know the location of the fuel sensor? my gas gauge keep shuting down then coming back up....

Ya i know I need to get a repair manual...which is the best chiltons or Haney's?

Ok thanks

CCorsair · Post by **CCorsair** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 6:58 pm

Found the fuse replaced ti Radio works great just need to make all connection final and we have sounds...

you know this wagon is so quiet with out a radio...

thanks.

CC

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 9:07 pm

No problem.

There are two level sensors, one on each side of the fuel tank. Peel back the carpet under the cargo hatch and you'll see the access panels.

Neither the Chiltons manual nor the Haynes manual is very good. The factory manuals cost more but are good.

CCorsair · Post by **CCorsair** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 12:53 am

vrg3 wrote:No problem.

There are two level sensors, one on each side of the fuel tank. Peel back the carpet under the cargo hatch and you'll see the access panels.

Neither the Chiltons manual nor the Haynes manual is very good. The factory manuals cost more but are good.

Ok will have to look factory manual.. not that want to any big repairs just one that I understand like electronics.

Got the radio in .. still need the new dash kit plastic but the radio is in and runs . It's temp till we can get better which I have some install if it a really good one. I still need to trace down what wiring is what under the dash. there are two wire that were pluged into the fuse panel that broke off there patch plugs on two of the fuse. one orange and one red. I think there have to do with an alarm system that seems to not be working or has a long delay. there is a toggo switch set in the dash just in the slot near the cruse and back defrost switch. turning it on turn on a LEd on the other side(the right) on the dash. it arms when the car is on and stays on after key is removed.

I did not that we had a the car not start as the switch had been put in the set bbut no alarm but no power to start..everthing eles worked. it happen a second time I fliped the the switch on and off and the car started. Maybe a kill switch? it did this as I was testing the power to the radio wiring (just doing a volt meter reading)I remeber some of the older alarms were keyed to the radio.
the one that was taken was not factory so not sure if it was hooked right at the time.

I have noted a fuse on one of the Battary termanals too it heavy dutey one too.

Ok will look for the factory manual.. do you know if its on CD or out there on PDF online?

Ok thanks

CC

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 1:57 am

Well, for the electrical system in particular, third-party manuals are next to useless. The factory manual is actually quite good, and if you want to save some money you could just buy only the wiring section, which is probably about the same price as the Chiltons manual.

Any Subaru dealer can get it, and there are a few dealers online that offer good discounts off list price. I believe the electrical section is section 6.

There are some scans from the factory manual online (which you no doubt already know about, because you've already read all the sticky threads on this board, right?) but they don't cover everything.

CCorsair · Post by **CCorsair** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 8:54 pm

vrg3 wrote:Well, for the electrical system in particular, third-party manuals are next to useless. The factory manual is actually quite good, and if you want to save some money you could just buy only the wiring section, which is probably about the same price as the Chiltons manual.

Any Subaru dealer can get it, and there are a few dealers online that offer good discounts off list price. I believe the electrical section is section 6.

There are some scans from the factory manual online (which you no doubt already know about, because you've already read all the sticky threads on this board, right?) but they don't cover everything.

Yes read and downloaded some of the ones on the forum and we did get the main hand book/manual on the L in the glovebox it nice for genral info but the indepth info I need on thinks like the radio wiring and the fuel sensor..

Ok thanks will check around and see what I can find.

CC

narenji · Post by **narenji** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 7:51 pm

not to thread hijack, but i have a single din radio in my car w/ the din pocket, but after install, i've got a 1/2 din gap underneath- how do i cover this? is there a kit? im considering putting in a double din dvd rcvr w/ screen, so i'll still need to cover 1/2 din space... any ideas? thanks...

yazmo · Post by **yazmo** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 2:40 am

hello i just came back from mechanic guy who fix my gas tank and brake my wire for thefuel door panel.

anyway since then i just notice there is no sound and radi or cd player dont work i saw the green light accesorie but nothing happen with the radio

may they have disconnect a wire during the fuel tank installation
i check the fuse but look ok i will try another fuese but since i see the green light im assuming its work.

can someone know what i must do to fix my radio??

Post by **Legacy777** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 4:40 am

You sure the fuse is good?

I don't see how or why they should have done anything to the radio. Have you asked your mechanic what they did and if they were near the radio?

yazmo · Post by **yazmo** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 1:50 pm

im going to check my fuse by the look its loook fine but ill change it with a spare i tough maybe they touch the power antenna and maybe that why radi dont work me too i dont see how could they have touch the radio for a gas tank. i just wonder why nw radio and cd dont work. i see the green light all over the car radio include but nothing happen if i hit any boutton when i try to put cd on its not work.

edit+

when i hit the eject boutton i hear a sound sound like electricity reach the radio.

i have change the 2 fuse for radio underhoos and under the dash nothing happoen still the same is that possible that if the power antenna is disconnected the radio wont turn on? i can beleive the radio just stop like that all was working great before i when mechanic

btw i also disconnect the bettery

yazmo · Post by **yazmo** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:50 pm

is there a lock if the battery as been remove for too long.
factory lock or something?

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:34 pm

Nope, not on our factory radios.

yazmo · Post by **yazmo** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 6:24 am

so if they have not lock and fuse are good the radio is really gone? is sthere something else i can check?

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 6:46 am

Nothing easy. If the radio is getting power but is not turning on, repairing it will require some training in electronics repair.

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Radio wiring on a 1990 Legacy L wagon

Radio wiring on a 1990 Legacy L wagon

radio not working