This particular type of wire is used to complete many different electrical circuits within your vehicle. The 12 volt ground wire in a car stereo wiring harness is basically the “earth” or “ground” wire. It is important to make sure that this wire is properly sized and rated for the current draw of the stereo system to avoid any problems. In most cases, the yellow wire will be connected directly to the battery or to a fuse panel. This wire is responsible for supplying power to the stereo head unit and other components in the system. The yellow wire in a car stereo wiring harness is typically the 12 volt battery wire. Another possibility is that there may be a break in the red wire itself, which would also need to be corrected. If this happens, it’s usually an indication that the red wire is not getting enough power and may need to be replaced or have its connection checked.

When the ignition is turned off, this wire will oftentimes lose power and may cause the stereo to turn off as well. This wire is responsible for supplying power to the stereo system when the ignition is turned on. The red wire in a car stereo wiring harness is typically the 12 volt ignition wire. To make things easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of the most common wire colors and their meanings. The first thing you’ll need to do when installing a new stereo in your Ford is to decipher the meaning behind each wire color. Understanding Ford Stereo Wire Color Codes

Car stereo wiring diagram