StonedCrowe

I just replaced the standard factory radio and noticed that my new head unit does not dim when the parking or headlights are on. I double checked all of my connections on my wire harness and everything is connected correctly. Is there no dimmer capability in the factory harness leads?

StonedCrowe

I have a 2006 V6 with no interior upgrade package.

tdappleman

What type of aftermarket radio did you install? Some radios do not offer it as a feature or it may not be compatible - as in it's looking for a different type of signal than what the Ford harness is providing. The dimmer wires are almost always orange so make sure the correct wires are connected. Do the rest of the dash lights still dim after the install?

sl8anic

You probably used the wiring harness adapter from Crutchfield or some such... The wire that they have in there and they call "dimmer" isn't used on Mustangs, maybe not on any recent models in general. There is no wire that's dedicated to dimming (AFAIK), I think that signal (as well as "speedvolume") is derived by the factory deck from the Ford's proprietary data-bus (CAN-BUS?). At least that's what I got so far, I was trying to figure out this same question a while back as I was messing around with my Shaker 500 unit.

AD

El Rafa

I would like to know too. The guy who installed my alpine couldn't find the "dimmer" wire. He said he even tested the other wires with his meter to find it, no luck. He was thinking he can try to tap into the wires right behind where you turn on your lights but he didn't want till he could find another way from the wires in the harness.

sl8anic

Again, there is NO dimmer wire. You could certainly tap into any of the wires that energize as you turn the lights on, voltage should be in a 0 to +0.6V I believe (0 when off, 0.6V when dimmer's at full intensity). Lights that illuminate
center console (hazard lights, air-bag, etc) are a good candidate. I think it's the blue/white wire.

AD