* Repair Manuals: A Haynes or Chilton repair manual for your vehicle will have detailed wiring diagrams. These are your best bet for accurate information.
* Online Forums: Search online forums dedicated to Chevrolet Celebrities (like those on sites like car forums or dedicated classic car forums). Members may have posted wiring diagrams or have experience with this specific task.
* Wiring Diagram Websites: Some websites specialize in automotive wiring diagrams. Make sure you are searching for the correct year, make, and model for accuracy.
General Approach (Use with Caution - Always Verify with Your Wiring Diagram):
Once you have a wiring diagram for your car, you'll need to compare it to the wiring diagram for your CD player (usually found in the CD player's manual). Here are the common wires and their general functions. Remember, colors may vary.
* Power:
* Constant 12V (+): This wire provides power to the CD player even when the car is off. Often yellow or red. Important: This wire should be fused appropriately to prevent overloads.
* Switched 12V (+): This wire provides power only when the ignition is on. Often red or orange.
* Ground (-): This wire connects the CD player to the car's chassis for a complete circuit. Usually black.
* Speakers:
* Front Left (+), Front Left (-), Front Right (+), Front Right (-), Rear Left (+), Rear Left (-), Rear Right (+), Rear Right (-): These wires connect to the speakers. The specific colors will vary greatly and depend on whether your car had a factory amp or not. The wiring diagram is crucial here. You may need to adapt the CD player's speaker output to the car's speaker wiring.
* Antenna:
* Power Antenna: If your car has a power antenna, this wire controls it. It will typically be connected to the switched 12V (+) wire of the radio.
* Illumination:
* Dimmer Wire: This wire controls the CD player's display brightness. It will often be a variable voltage source.
Important Considerations:
* Harness Adapters: Aftermarket harness adapters are available for many vehicles, including possibly your 1986 Celebrity. These adapters simplify the wiring process by matching the CD player's wiring to the car's wiring. Check online retailers that specialize in car audio.
* Amplifier: If your car has a factory amplifier, wiring the CD player correctly becomes significantly more complex. You may need to bypass the amplifier or find a way to integrate the CD player with it. The wiring diagram is absolutely essential in this case.
* Fuse Protection: Always use an inline fuse on the constant 12V (+) wire to protect the CD player and your vehicle's electrical system.
In short: You cannot safely wire a CD player without a wiring diagram specific to your 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity. Obtain the diagram first, then carefully match the wires based on their function, making sure you understand the color codes for your specific vehicle. If you are uncomfortable working with car electrical systems, it's best to seek professional help from a car audio installer.
