Upgrading from boxster radio ( cdr-220 ) to Sony

[Samar777]

Hi,

I have done so much research online today, but couldnt find the answer i am looking for.

so here is my question:

I bought a Sony stereo to replace my CDR-220 in my 99 Boxster. I already have an AMP in the front trunk of the car.

Now, Do I just need a wiring harness to install this? or, will I need to cut and connect other wires besides the harness? I ask because this custom audio shop i asked for advise, confused the heck out of me.

This is the harness I am ordering:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Metra+-+Wiring+Harness+Adapter+for+1993+-+2004+Audi+and+Volkswagen+Vehicles/9437503.p?id=1218105188510&skuId=9437503&st=metra%2070-1787&cp=1&lp=1

will this harness also provide power to the new system? cuz there are only 4 rca connector coming out of the harness. I am confused and appreciate any help.

Thank you so much.

[waynercarr]

The harness is the correct one but the 12vdc and key on wires are reversed if I remember correctly. The 4 rca adapters are for connecting the after market low level out that will feed the amplifier already in your car. If the installer removes the mounting bolts from the hayes amp in the boot it will tell him if it is a 2 or 4 way (or 6 way amp) still wired the same. The other adapter is for the power to the radio, Illumination etc. However some boxters only have front speakers some with door speakers some without, some with rear speakers some without and some with a bose system. The topic is covered well in other posts. This link will explain the wiring..http://www.iwantaporsche.net/StereoWiringConfig.pdf

[Richard Hamilton]

I can't seem to make that link work, but if it is like the Crutchfields one which connects to the M490 amplifier, then you need to add a wire to give a signal 12v to the amplifier. This is usually a blue wire in the adapter cable, and you should connect it to the 12v antenna output from the head unit.

Edit: Diagram edited for clarity

Edited December 22, 2010 by Richard Hamilton

[Samar777]

The harness is the correct one but the 12vdc and key on wires are reversed if I remember correctly. The 4 rca adapters are for connecting the after market low level out that will feed the amplifier already in your car. If the installer removes the mounting bolts from the hayes amp in the boot it will tell him if it is a 2 or 4 way (or 6 way amp) still wired the same. The other adapter is for the power to the radio, Illumination etc. However some boxters only have front speakers some with door speakers some without, some with rear speakers some without and some with a bose system. The topic is covered well in other posts. This link will explain the wiring..http://www.iwantaporsche.net/StereoWiringConfig.pdf

Can someone please tell me which number wires from Exhibit A go with which number wires from Exhibit B:

--------------------------------------------

Exhibit A

This is the labeling of CDR-220: ( the link)

http://www.iwantaporsche.net/StereoWiringConfig.pdf

----------------------------------------------

Exhibit B:

This is the labeling of the NEW stereo 16 pin.

Pin Number Wire Color Function

1 White Left Front Positive

2 Green Left Rear Positive

3 Violet Right Rear Positive

4 Grey Right Front Positive

5 Blue/White Amplifier Remote

6 Blue Antenna Remote

7 Red Accessory 12 Volts

8 Black Ground

9 White/Black Left Front Negative

10 Green/Black Left Rear Negative

11 Violet/Black Right Rear Negative

12 Grey/Black Right Front Negative

13 Sky Blue Telephone Mute

14 Orange/White Illumination ( the wire isnt there )

15 Not Used Not Used

16 Yellow Constant 12 Volts

Can someone please tell me which number wires from Exhibit A go with which number wires from Exhibit B.

i have spent 2 days now figuring this out, but all in vain.

Edited December 21, 2010 by Samar777

[Richard Hamilton]

You need to connect the LINE outputs from your new head unit to the amplifier in the trunk - not the speaker cables, using the adapter cable like the orange one in my picture above.

Pin Number Wire Color Function

5 Blue/White Amplifier Remote

6 Blue Antenna Remote - to "Exhibit A" pin A5

7 Red Accessory 12 Volts - to "Exhibit A" pin A7

8 Black Ground - to "Exhibit A" pin A8

13 Sky Blue Telephone Mute - to "Exhibit A" pin A3

14 Orange/White Illumination ( the wire isnt there ) - to "Exhibit A" pin A6

15 Not Used Not Used

16 Yellow Constant 12 Volts - to "Exhibit A" pin A4

As I said, you will need to connect the blue/white wire on the orange adapter to a switched feed. Most people hook it up to A5 with the antenna switched power, but you may be able to connect it to pin 5 of your new head unit.

[Samar777]

Hey Richard,

Thanks a lot for that explanation.

I did all that, but have a couple hurdles.

As you know I bought metra 70-1787 harness, and am using that to connect the new stereo.

Now looking at the metra harness there are only wires avaiable for pin numbers 4,6,7 and 8. Rest of the pins on metra harness are empty.

Also, there is no illumination wire on the harness that came with the new stereo.

Additionally, when I connected them as you said, I heard cd ejecting sound from the new unit. But it did not power on.

I am on stand by.

[Richard Hamilton]

I can't really understand the problem. The orange Metra plug connects the line outputs and amplifier switched feed from the stereo to the yellow plug on the car. Pins 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are used for these connections. The other pins are not populated, as they are for the CD changer and phone, and are not used.

The black Metra plug is to connect the power connections for the head unit to the black plug on the car. These should be wired as I described.

The head unit does have LINE audio outputs, doesn't it? If it only has SPEAKER outputs then it isn't compatible with the car's amplifier.

If you are still struggling, and I don't wish to sound condescending here, it would probably be best to have a car audio shop to take a look at it.

[Bill Lapp]

Hello - I am struggling with connecting my replacement stereo for my CDR-220 in my 2001 Porsche 911 Carrera 4.  I have looked at tons of forums and every ones setup seems slightly different.  

 

I don't believe I have an amp, just the CD Changer.  I have included a picture of the trunk below.

I am using the Metra 70-1787 Harness.

The connectors I have show

---- the Porsche Yellow Green and Blue connectors going into Connector C on the CDR-220

---- nothing in Connector B on the CDR-220

---- the Porsche black connector into Connector A on the CDR-220

 

I have plugged the color connectors into the Metra's Single Red connector 

I plugged the black connector into the section of the Metra's Black connector where the colored wires are.

 

Metra Black connector wires 

---- All gray/white wires are unused?   (or am I supposed to connect one of the colored connectors to this for hard wired speakers?

---- Black matched to Pin 8 Ground ----> Connected to Black ground on Pioneer?

---- Yellow matches to Pin 7 Ignition? ---> Connect to Pioneer Ignition

---- Orange matches to Pin 6 Lumination?    Is this unused for the Pioneer?

---- Red matches to Pin 4 Constant 12v ---> Connect to Pioneer Ignition

 

Metra Red connector

---- RCA plugs connect ---> Connect to the back of the Pioneer and their RCA openings

---- WHAT DOES THE BLUE WIRE CONNECT TO?  It seems to infer it has to plug to something to turn the amp on?

 

The behavior I see right now with the Metra blue wire unconnected and the orange wire unconnected is that the radio will turn on and off as expected and operate however I get no sound :(  I am assuming either the Metra blue wire or Orange has to connect to something?  Or possibly I need to not use the RCA wires and plug one of the color connectors into the black Metra connector and use the gray wires to hard wire speakers?

 

 

 

[ninedragons986]

On 12/22/2010 at 3:55 AM, Richard Hamilton said:

You need to connect the LINE outputs from your new head unit to the amplifier in the trunk - not the speaker cables, using the adapter cable like the orange one in my picture above.

Pin Number Wire Color Function

5 Blue/White Amplifier Remote

6 Blue Antenna Remote - to "Exhibit A" pin A5

7 Red Accessory 12 Volts - to "Exhibit A" pin A7

8 Black Ground - to "Exhibit A" pin A8

13 Sky Blue Telephone Mute - to "Exhibit A" pin A3

14 Orange/White Illumination ( the wire isnt there ) - to "Exhibit A" pin A6

15 Not Used Not Used

16 Yellow Constant 12 Volts - to "Exhibit A" pin A4

As I said, you will need to connect the blue/white wire on the orange adapter to a switched feed. Most people hook it up to A5 with the antenna switched power, but you may be able to connect it to pin 5 of your new head unit.

· Model year  ~ 1997
· Model/Engine ~ Boxster 2.5
· Transmission type ~ 5 speed
· Interior color ~ Blue
· Country specific information ~ USA

Hello I have been looking for the information on the blue/white for the C harness all night,  wire since I am also installing a Sony MEX-GS820BT. when I found this!!!

This is the most helpful Thread so far. I have the 101 Projects for your Boxster and looked on Pelican with no definitive answer. 

THANKS Bill Lapp and Richard Hamilton !!!