danny1stgen85

Hey guys im having an issue I cant seem to find the radio harness on my 1st gen. I found the antenna connector but cant find the harness that connects the radio. I bought the car about a month ago it had no radio but it has some aftermarket gauges like the egt gauge boost gauge and air fuel ratio gauge. Im hoping the didnt cut all the cables to use the power cable to run these gauges. what other ways can I install the radio to the car without the factory connector?

Spannerhead

iTrader: (1)

What year/trim first-gen do you have?
What wires do you have available in the stereo opening? Make a list.
Which stereo are you trying to install? The factory unit or something aftermarket?

danny1stgen85

I have a 1985 gslse
I dont see any wires available at all
And im trying to connect an aftermarket radio

Spannerhead

iTrader: (1)

If you don't have the factory connector, you're going to have to either find where the PO hacked it off the harness and splice in a new connector, or you're going to have to run all new wires.

Here's a basic list of the wires you'll need:

Wiring Harness Color Standards - Knowledge Base

I'm not a wiring expert, but I doubt you'll need either the Amplifier Remote Turn-on or the Dash Light Dimmer/Illumination, but you'll need all the others.

Dig around in the dash some more and see what you can find. Can you post a pic of what you're dealing with?

danny1stgen85

When I get home ill post pictures

Akagis_white_comet

iTrader: (4)

The good news is that we have a wonderful resource full of Factory Service Manuals, including Wiring Diagrams here if you don't already have them:Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals

From the appropriate diagram, you'll find the correct wire colors and connector names for the stock stereo. They should logically be in the stock location.

If the previous owner has indeed butchered the wiring, all hope is not lost. Thankfully, Mazda likes to keep things similar between generations. The GSL-SE uses the same harness and install kit as the FC. If your wiring is hacked up, Scosche #MA01RB is what you need to restore it to stock.

Here's a generic version for $8: Metra 71-1781 (met-711781) Reverse Wiring Harness for Select 1994

While the Illumination/Dimmer is optional, it is good practice to connect it anyway. As for the Remote Activation, I had to wire this into the factory amps. Granted, my car is a S4 GXL, but I would think the GSL-SE would be the same. The factory wiring diagram will answer that question though.

danny1stgen85

These are the only wires I found not connected to anything

TimWilbers

iTrader: (1)

I replaced the radio/tape player/equalizer in my 84 GSL.

In the process I also replaced all 4 speakers as they were shot.

I'm not that familiar with your model, but do you have a L-R/F-R small joystick on the console? If so you also have a rear amplifier buried behind the passenger seat.

When I discovered all this I pulled the radio and cut the wires. The audio was only on a pre-amp level.

You need a positive 12v to power your new unit, and a negative ground.
Forget the existing speaker wires and run new ones to the front and rear speakers.

For my year the antenna was reversed polarity. When I hooked up the new radio to test turning on the radio lowered the antenna, turning it off raised the antenna. I did find online a procedure for reversing the pin assignments on the connector near the steering column but once I located it decided I could do more damage than good. My rear wiper did not function so I used that switch to raise and lower the antenna.

Disclaimer: your individual results may vary.

TimWilbers

iTrader: (1)

If the previous owner put in a new radio then removed it, you may want to check the speakers and wires in the front for condition.

Mine had rips and rust indicating original parts.

74RX4

iTrader: (10)

In stock configuration, Blue yellow is constant 12v, Blue white is switched 12v, Red green is illumination controlled by dimmer switch.

dougingraham

The 85 GSL and GSL-SE had the up level Clarion with the joystick fader behind the power window switches on the center console. There are two power amps under the storage bins, one for the front pair and the other for the rear pair. The amps and cables have all probably been removed by the previous owner. Everything was nicely connectorized but that is probably all gone now. It was not impossible to use the original amps but there is no point as the 4x45 watt integrated amps in modern head ends are better anyway.

I would just run my own wires to the speakers and locate the power wires, probably those in your photo are them. The original speaker wires are not heavy enough anyway. It is really easy to run wires to the back. My preference is to run down the passenger side. The first time you do this will take you half a day and maybe an hour the second time depending on how careful you are.

Unless the PO replace the speakers with something good you will want to replace them as well. The original front kick panel speakers sounded fair 30 years ago but they were paper cones and most likely have not fared well. The rear two way Clarions were actually pretty good sounding speakers and if yours are not blown could be used. I replace my speakers with Alpine. I think overall they have about the smoothest response. But speaker sound is a personal thing and some people like more punch in the bass. The old school way to add a subwoofer is to replace one of the storage boxes and install one or two subs in it. I used a single 10" in my 82 and that was plenty. These are small cars and it does not take much. My latest setup in the 85 GSL does not yet have a sub and I am not sure it really needs one with the quality of the rear speakers I used.

Best wishes!