Fitting a Head Unit to an Evo 2

[BlueEvo2]

Hi All

New to this, so apologies if this has been covered elsewhere and my searches didn't reveal it!

I've just bought an Evo 2 and would like to fit a new head unit in it (nothing installed at present). I've found the "preparation for radio" wiring behind the dash, which contains the front speaker wires and the earth, but does not seem to supply a switched live feed.

I guess also that the potential current draw of a modern head unit might be slightly high for the very low guage wiring anyway? :?

I have found a switched orange / white wire which runs from the ignition area into the general vicinity of the head unit aperture and is connected to nothing at present. Anyone else come across this, or does anyone have a solution to this one?

Many thanks in advance! :)

[A1.6HPE]

Hello TomH,
I have never come across any Italian car that had a switched power feed for the radio. Sounds like someone has done the job for you and rigged up one. As you say, the standard live feed would struggle to supply sufficient current for a modern unit. Assuming that the add-on has been done well and is a decent diameter cable, you will need to ensure a decent earth connection. The possibilities for that are the dashboard support bracket mounts under neath just at either side of the "central console". If you want to run in a new power feed the easiest place to get one is from the power window feed which is underneath the gear lever surround, either add another relay to the group or simply tack in to the window feed.

Leo

[BlueEvo2]

Hi Leo

Thanks very much. I suspected I might not have been lucky enough to be dealing with an OE switched supply :)

The plot thickens a little as this switched supply (an orange wire with white tracing) had been spliced into the thin guage wires that feed the air con on / off switch... :?

Ah well, removal of that wire has not caused any issues, so as you say I'll take an earth locally and then experiment with the "mystery orange wire" and also the relay idea from the electric windows.

Thanks again!
:)
TomH