INSTALLATION MANUAL
P-153
AM/FM/MPX RADIO
WITH FOLD-DOWN DETACHABLE FRONT PANEL,
COMPACT DISC PLAYER, AUDIO CASSETTE PLAYER,
CD CHANGER CONTROLS
AND QUARTZ CLOCK
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
This unit is designed for installation in GM and Chrysler cars, trucks, and vans with a 1-1/2 DIN radio opening. In some cases,
a special installation kit will be required to mount the radio to the dashboard. These kits are available at electronics supply
stores and car stereo specialty shops. Always check the kit application before purchasing to make sure the kit works with your
vehicle. If you need a kit but cannot find it available, call our toll-free “HELP” line at 1-800-645-4994.
PRE-INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
IMPORTANT: Disconnect the ground cable from the negative terminal of the battery.
a. Dash Disassembly:
NOTE: Locations and types of fasteners will vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle.
Carefully check the dash for all fasteners that may require removal in order to remove the factory radio from the sub-dash.
1. Remove the screws securing the upper and/or lower portion of the dash panel.
2. Remove the screws above the instrument cluster and all screws from the trim panel that may surround the factory
radio.
3. Remove the ash tray and open the glove box to see if there are any screws that need to be removed from the dash
panel. Do not discard any screws!
NOTE: The gear shifter may need to be in low gear to allow for dash panel removal.
4. Gently unclip and remove the dash panel.
b.Removing the Factory Radio:
1. Remove any hardware securing the factory radio assembly to the sub-dash. Do not discard any hardware!
2. Disconnect the wiring and antenna cable from the factory radio.
c.Removing the Factory Radio Brackets (If Applicable):
1. Remove all nuts that secure the original factory brackets to the radio.
2. Remove and retain the original mounting brackets from the factory radio.
NOTE: Not all radios have removable mounting brackets. For GM radios with non-removable brackets, use the enclosed
bracket kit specified for your vehicle. These will satisfy most 1993 and up GM radio mounting applications. If this
is not the case, it will be necessary to purchase a special installation kit. Please consult your local car stereo
installation shop or consumer electronics store.
d.On the P-153, open (press the R button), fold down and remove the detachable front panel, if it is attached to the chassis.
Simply press the RELEASE bar and pull the panel assembly straight off of the panel mounting plate.
Store the panel in the case provided with the radio.
e.Check the dashboard opening size by measuring the height and width. If the opening is not large enough, carefully cut or
file as necessary until the opening slightly exceeds the radio size. Check that there will be sufficient space behind the
dashboard for the radio chassis.
f. Remove the two transport screws installed through the top of the radio chassis ; you cannot insert a CD into the player
until these screws are removed.
NOTE: After confirming fit, place the P-153 aside and proceed with the wiring instructions.
USING A WIRING ADAPTER
The easiest wiring method to connect the P-153 to the vehicle is to buy a wire harness adapter from your dealer, a car
stereo installation shop, or an electronics store. If you use a wiring adapter, all wires can be connected to your P-153 even
before your old radio is removed from the car.
Connecting the Wires
Splice, crimp or solder the wires from the Audiovox P-153 radio connector to the wiring adapter. Match the wires according
to the function vs. color code relationship expressed in the following table, and the wiring adapter instructions.
Attach Wires to Radio (See Figures 1 and 2.)
a. After splicing the wiring adapter to the radio connector, attach the connector to the back of the radio.
b. Attach an antenna extension cable (not supplied) and antenna adapter, if needed.
NOTE: The Dimmer function may not work in conjunction with some Chrysler vehicle models. In this case, leave the Dimmer
wire disconnected. Radio backlighting will illuminate when radio power is on.
Install Wiring Inside the Car (See Figures 1 and 2.)
a. Connect wiring adapter to the car’s existing wiring harness.
b. Connect the antenna extension (not supplied) to car antenna lead, if needed.
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WIRING COLOR CODES
FUNCTION COLOR
+ 12 V Acc/Ignition Red
+ 12 V Battery/Memory Yellow
Ground Black
Dimmer Orange
Cel lular Mut e Pink
LF + Speaker White
LF - Sp ea k er White/B lack
LR + S peaker Green
LR - Speaker Green/Black
RF + Speaker Gra y
RF - Speaker Gray/Black
RR + Sp eak er V iol et
RR - Sp ea k er Vio let/Black
TYPICAL GM APPLICATION (See Figure 1.)
Radio Preparation
NOTE: For GM car installations, use the GM Hardware Kit, Part Number 150-1335, which is furnished with the radio.
1 . Match quickie bolt locations on the P-153 radio to the factory radio bolt locations, and snap the short quickie bolts
(Item #2) into the appropriate locations.
2. Attach the original factory brackets or those from the radio mounting kit (if required) to the P-153 radio using the
supplied flange nuts (Item #4), or use the enclosed brackets (Item #6) if the original factory brackets are not removable.
3. Some vehicle applications incorporate a rear mounting support. Match the rear quickie bolt on the P-153 radio to the rear
factory radio bolt location and snap the long quickie bolt (Item #3) into place. Thread the plastic rear bushing (Item #5)
fully onto the quickie bolt.
4. Plug supplied wire harness (Item #1) into the mating socket on the rear of the P-153.
Installation
1. Connect the wiring harness from the radio to the vehicle side radio harness.
2. Plug the factory antenna cable into the antenna socket on the radio.
NOTE: GM vehicles 1992 and up will require an antenna adapter to convert the vehicle mini-connector to a standard
3. If a compatible CD changer is to be used with this radio, connect the cable from the changer to the 12-pin mating socket
on the radio. If an external amplifier will be used for the rear speakers, connect the low-level output RCAl leads from the
radio to the low-level inputs on the amplifier. An auxiliary input is also available for connecting external audio sources,
such as portable products and audio for mobile video systems, to the P-153.
4. Reconnect the battery and perform a brief functional test of the radio to verify proper performance.
5. After verification, turn off the ignition switch and fasten the radio to the sub-dash using the mounting hardware previously
removed from the factory radio.
6. Re-assemble the dash using the reverse of the disassembly procedure.
:
connector. Antenna adapters are available at car stereo speciality shops.
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