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I have just installed a new stereo into my wifes classic. I can not find a red acc. line to wire into the new stereo. The harness did not have one. To bypass this i just wired all the power into the yellow wire and everything is working fine.

I would like to wire it right though. Where is the easiest place to find acc power on a 2005 Chevy classic?

How about a spot to ground the stereo? I have just wired into the black on the harness. Should I find a place to sink a screw to ground it closer to the stereo or is the ground on the harness sufficient?

 

[Starship]

You may want to change your Malibu to Classic in User CP. The Classic is basically the 2003 Malibu and thus the accessory voltage is available on a couple of fuses labeled Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and Body Function Control Module/Instrument Panel Cluster in the left instrument panel fuse block. You can tap into either with an add-a-circuit kit but I wouldn't advise drawing a lot of current away from the PCM and BCM. Instead, you'll probably want to use that to control a relay to switch the existing battery voltage.

As for the gound, there should be two ground wires on the factory wiring. See the diagram I linked in thread http://www.chevymalibuforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6164. There's nothing special about them, both being chassis ground.

 

[silverdub6]

I'm not sure if the module works on a classic. I used this in an '05 Chevy Malibu LS www.cardomain.com/ride/826439 It has all the harnesses you need to connect the aftermarket deck, and it's for sale.

 

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You may want to change your Malibu to Classic in User CP..

Thanks done. Its also good to know its the same as a 03 Malibu I had been looking at 04s for info. I am pretty good at wiring but not so good at reading wiring diagrams, not sure what all the symbols mean.

I am not in town today but finding parts here in BF Idaho. Can't find an add-a-circuit here but will order one to have for Wednesday my next day off hopefully. I have never seen those add-a-circuits before, looks handy.

I am going to describe the process of what i think you told me to make sure I will do it right when the parts get here. Put an add-a-circuit into one of the circuit breakers you mentioned. Bring a wire off this to the stereo compartment. Wire this to a relay to turn on and off the power from the battery (yellow wire) to power the red wire circuits.

Does this sound like a good plan? What kind or relay should i put in there? Please confirm the ground wire on the harness is good to go for protecting the stereo?

Thanks for your help

 

[Starship]

I couldn't have said it better myself. The battery voltage on the factory wiring is protected by a 10A Radio fuse in the passenger side instrument panel fuse block. So, you just need to wire in an automotive SPST relay (or SPDT for that matter) that can do 12VDC, 10A or better to switch on/off the battery voltage to the stereo unit. The little current you draw from the accessory (PCM or BCM) circuit will just energize the relay coil. You'll probably want to protect that draw with a 1A fuse or something little at the add-a-circuit. That way a short in the stereo wiring will not strand you.

 

[Starship]

BTW, there should be two ground wires colored BLK and BLK/WHT on the factory wiring. I don't know which wire ended up on the adapter harness but you can splice into the other ground wire as well. If it were me, I wouldn't worry about it.