What is the Pink Wire on a Car Stereo?

Car stereos have different wires running every which way and it can be daunting and confusing. The pink wire is one of them. This cable has a variety of functions that vary depending on the brand and model of your car. In this article, you will discover the roles of the pink cable on your car.

The purpose of a pink wire in a stereo system varies with the brand and model of the car. In a nutshell, the pink wire sends audio signals to the speakers of a stereo system. The speakers are located at various positions in the car – rear left, right, etc. The pink color wire can also be connected to the radio for the reception as in the case of the General Motor Vehicles.

What is a Pink Cable on a Car Stereo?

As mentioned, the car stereo system has different wires including the pink one. Some of their functions include conveying signals to the speaker and serving as the antenna of the stereo system. It is important to note that functions depend on the brand of the car. Most familiar brands include Toyota, Jeeps, Ford, Kenwood, etc. We will discuss each in the following section. 

Pioneer Stereo System

The pink cable on a pioneer car stereo represents the Car Speed Signal Input. Therefore, if you link the pink wire to the speed sensor system in your car, the sensor will ferry signal data to the Pioneer car stereo. The speed and RMP information will also be sent to the car stereo. The signals are used to alter the display text notifications (such as low fuel level) and the volume. (1)

Kenwood Stereo System

Not all stereo systems have a pink wire. Kenwood car stereos have the wire for a reason. The color of the wire shows the EAC – external amplifier control.

So, if you connect another amplifier to the sound system on your car via the Kenwood car stereo, the latter will govern the entire process. That simply means that the pink wire on any Kenwood stereo allows the user to add another amplifier to the stereo system of their car(s). The output of the stereo system is therefore doubled.

Both Kenwood and Pioneer stereo systems have a pink wire, but there are some differences. In a Kenwood stereo, one pink cable controls all the amplifier requirements. On the other hand, the second pink wire in a Pioneer stereo system only conveys speed signals to the stereo.

 

Toyota

In most Toyota vehicles, the pink cable is connected to the left front speaker.

Ford Stereo System

Ford vehicle stereos have a pink wire connected to the speakers. The left rear speaker is attached to this wire.

General Motor Vehicles

The pink cable is for the power antenna in GM – General Motor Vehicles. And it allows you to use the antenna; however, the pink wire should be connected to the car’s radio for the reception.

Nissan

In Nissan cars, the pink wire represents different functions depending on the model of the Nissan. But in general, the pink cable goes to the right rear speaker.

The purpose of the wire is to ferry audio signals from the amplifier to the right rear speakers.

Jeep

In Jeeps, the pink wire is crucial in the memory input unit. Without the pink color wire in your Jeep’s stereo system, it is impossible to adjust the volume or fade off the speakers. (2)

The sound equalization features are also utilized via the pink cable. So, you cannot access the features without the wire.

Finally, you cannot have high-pass crossovers on the speakers and subwoofers. You should therefore install or maintain the pink cable to enjoy these cool features.

Take a look at some of our related articles below.

• How to test a car ground wire with a multimeter
• How to test 3 wire crank sensor with multimeter
• How to wire multiple batteries for car audio

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References
(1) fuel – https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/fossil_fuel.htm
(2) Jeeps – https://www.britannica.com/technology/jeep

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