This is a video on how to wire an aftermarket amplifier into the audio signal inputs. Sorry the video suddenly ended but there is enough information on how to do this. Very easy.
Open the tailgate. Remove the molding in the hatchback on the rear drivers side. Once you pull the molding out of the way you will see the amp. It is right below the driver's side rear window.
Sorry for sounding ignorant but do you know if they all have a factory amp ? I got the car with an aftermarket double din and it is like 25 watts x4 and it sounds really bad . There was no factory subwoofer either and it sounds awful they have wires all hacked up under the fuse panel that’s on the passenger side and I’m trying to fix it . I once had a 2004 grand Cherokee limited with the premium infinity amps and when I replaced the head unit I was able to get the power from them even though I had hooked up the speakers to the head unit and it sounded amazing I feel like this car I’m getting the 25 from the head unit only And it sounds awful I’ve already had to replace the back door speakers twice in 6 years and now the back passenger speaker isn’t making any sound so idk if it’s toast again or the hack install job is the issue . I was thinking of heading to the junk yard and picking up a factory amp and factory sub to install but I’m not sure if that is even necessary or possible . Thanks
Not sounding ignorant at all:) no unfortunately not every HHR came with the Pioneer premium audio system upgrade. You would only see that in the LT or SS version and in some cases, a special order upon request by the person buying an HHR brand new. The car you have has the basic 4 speaker set up with no amp. Best advise is to remove the factory head unit and install an aftermarket head unit that has rca signal inputs. You will need that in order to run an external amp. Pretty simple. I am assuming there is a circle cut out on the left side of the hatchback. That is where the factory subwoofer would be. Best of luck on pulling the pioneer system out of a donor car ugh. I have not tried that, but maybe possible. I am sure there are many sitting in junk yards with premium audio. Here is some helpful information: A good way to tell if an HHR has premium audio, is by looking at the front bumper. If you see fog lamps, it is an LT and most LT's have the premium audio upgrade. Good luck:)
Hey I'm gonna reinstall factory radio cause I got problems with ac control unit burning all the time and want to know how to add an amp,to factory radio
So from the factory, does the radio ( I guess they call it the head unit) have ( no amplifier except a pre amp) if you have a chevy HHR, with a factory pioneer seperate amplifier? Is that why they call in low level signal? So If I got one from a salvage/car junkyard --you pick a part . What's the only way to find out what radio I'm getting is to look for the power amp in the driver side quarter panel? I suppose different radios have different part numbers or do they all just come with a normal built in amp, regardless if you have the rear Mounted amp
OK I just read your message so this is the best answer I can give you based on what you asked: The factory HHR head units do not have amplifiers built in. There is in fact a separate amplifier hidden where I am mentioning in this video. Yes low level inputs are key. If you go to a salvage yard and look for an amplifier in an HHR, you have to looks for the HHR'S that came with the factory installed upgraded Pioneer sound system. Not every HHR came with that option. The base model cars came with just a radio. The only way to verify if an HHR comes with the Pioneer audio system, is to look in the hatchback to the left driver side and look for the subwoofer mounted on the side. Can't miss it. Pull that panel out of the way, and you will see two units. Take both. One is the Amp and the other is the crossover. I would take the head unit too because your head unit may not have the hook ups in the back. I cannot be 100% if this will work in your car, you may have to hard wire the whole project. Good luck!
Hay bud awesome vid....i.was wondering i get all you say but my amp doesn't have a harness all the connection points are there but I need to add the wire or land the correct wires in their designated terminal i have (L speaker +&-) & (R speaker +&-) I have the remote wire ., so I get how all that needs to be wired . DO I NEED TO DO ANYTHING WITH (LEFT INPUT) OR (RIGHT INPUT) =RCA JACKS?? & I LEAVE THE (B+) & GND ALONE ?? RIGHT ? ALSO BOTTOM OF AMP HAS 3PICS OJE SAYS [ HIGH PASS , ONE SAYS LOW PASS. & THE OTHER SAYS FULL RANGE .( NOT TO SURE WHAT THIS IMPLIES..BUT MY AMP IS A ROCKFORD FOSGATE punch 125.2 or 125x2. If you can let n e know your thoughts..would be great. Thanks bud... new sub... for sure ... loved the vid info
Hi there, just read your message not sure if you are the same person that messaged me earlier tonigt but anyway I read your message and this is what I am thinking: As far as the inputs go, the high level inputs are the RCA inputs and the other are the low level inputs. I am using the low level inputs in my car. If you are running RCA wires from an aftermarket head unit, go with the high level. If you have a car like mine and you are using the factory headunit, go with the low level inputs on your amp. So to answer your question, no don't bother with rhe RCA jacks. You will need to run a positive hot wire from your battery to your amp. And you will have to run a separate ground to your amp. Find a good clean metal to metal spot for a good ground. I strongly recommend OFC(Oxygen Free Copper) wiring. It is the best wire for your system. It's on Amazon. I tried looking for your amp online and I was unable to find it. Are you sure your amp has high and low level signal inputs? If you only see RCA inputs, you can get an adapter to convert a high input frequency to a low frequency. They are on Amazon. Just look for RCA to low level signal adapter. I just looked on Amazon, and there are many. Thank you for the kind words. It is kind of hard to picture this all in my head being I am not there in person. I hope this will help you. Good luck. Cheers!
Do you mean the "remote turn on wire"? If you are looking for that, it is the pink wire on your harness. Can't miss it. Look at your harnesses. There are three. Watch my video I made about this. Fast Forward to 7:50 in the video where I am stating where this wire is.
