my question is since the stock wiring is proprietary to the mazda head unit, will i need to wire up a custom one to attach aftermarket head units? and does anyone have a good write up anywhere on this process, or is there a way to use the original wiring?

thanks

 

The best write-up is the Factory Service Manual for your year. Check the FAQ at the top of the page for links to the FSM/Wiring diagram. Unless you're removing/adding amps, it's pretty straight forward (there's even those silly harness adapters for sale somewhere, but I forgot who sold them).

 

What are the wire colors for adding aftermarket radio
LTBlue/Red= 12v+
LtBlue/White= +Accessory
LtBlue/Yellow= -power ant trigger
Red/Black=+ Lumination
White=Factory Amp Turn on

Ground to the body, use the 10mm bolt behind the center console front drivers access panel. Do not use the Red/Black as ground it will damage the interior light circuit and dimmer in the car

Front Speakers (maximum of a 15 watt peak from the radio):
LtGreen/Red= Left
LtGreen/Black= Left

LtGreen= Right
LtGreen/Yellow=Right

Rear Speakers (if applicable, if you have the amplified rear speakers again the Maximum of 15 watts peak is all the stock speaker amp input can handle):
Brown= Left rear
Brown/White= Left Rear

LtBlue= Right Rear
LtBlue/Orange=Right Rear

 

Note: as mentioned above the power antenna's trigger is ground (or - ). With all aftermarket radio's antenna output as 12 volts positive (+). To make a stock power antenna work you need a relay wired like this:

 

thanks for the info! i should be able to figure it out, if i can match those up to the head units wiring.

 

or you could get one of these http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...1B+-+MA01.html

that and the dash kit are free if you order your radio from them.

 

^ very useful^

 

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1207079...s.html?tp=2977

Do you mean the harness?

 

Our cars do not use that harness. I'm not entirely sure on the S5, but the S4 is the older mazda harness.

 

Ok cruchfield had that for the S5 ill check on the S4

is that it?
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1207050...s.html?tp=2977

 

the crutchfield version matches up with mine but dont aftermarket units use just a single plug on the harness?

 

Nope, but you might not have to use all of the harnesses which come in the package for your particular car.