Usually, one of the first issues people find with "fresh" import Zeds is that the rear speakers don't work. Then you look for advice and get the "everybody knows" the way round it is to run some new speaker wires and job done. As a Zed obsessive, I wanted to find out why this was a problem and fix it properly. It took a while...
Series 6s use the Micra Harness
Which means you need the PC2-76-4 Nissan Micra adapter. I've only seen one Series 6: my Version S, so I don't know whether it's the same for all Series 6 or whether the other models (Version R, 2+2 etc) are different. I wouldn't be surprised if there are differences depending on what the factory fit was and how cack-handed the aftermarket / importer / converter has been.
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Having got this far, I couldn't for the life of me get the Sony head unit working. It turned out (thanks yet again, Nigel) that the 12v continuous feed in the car wasn't working. That's now on the list to fix... But other than that, everything works: rear speakers, aerial up and down etc. |
You may have noticed that my Series 6 does NOT have a rear speaker amp so in a sense, all this research was wasted. But at least I know why things are wired together they way they are.
Series 3s have a Rear Speaker Amplifier
My Series 3 had a rear speaker amplifier. The wiring harness in the car had two extra wires in it which weren't mentioned anywhere. Despite using the standard ISO to Nissan harness that "everyone said" was the right one (PC2-13-4 Ford Maverick, Nissan All Cars), I just could not get my Sony head unit to work. Front speakers OK, aerial up and down OK, rear speakers - dead as a dodo.
A bit of searching on the forum and I found a wiring diag which gave me a good start but still, nothing about the two extra wires.
So round to my mate Nigel's company as he is a dab hand with a multimeter (and has more than one) to do a spot or wire tracing. Bingo, stick 12v on the unknown wire and the rear speakers fire up.
Here's my adaptation of the wiring diag which shows the Sony <> ISO <> NIssan Series 3 including the rear amp enable. If you use the standard Nissan units, they should just plug in - which is why I tried to do that with my Series 6, and wish I'd done it with both the previous ones.
| Here's my adaptation of the wiring diag which shows the Sony <> ISO <> NIssan Series 3 including the rear amp enable. If you use the standard Nissan units, they should just plug in - which is why I tried to do that with my Series 6, and wish I'd done it with both the previous ones. |
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Use a Diversity Adapter for your FM
Another common bodge is to cut off the "strange"aerial lead and wire an FW coac onto it. But Nissan used a "diversity" antenna system on the Zeds. One antenna is the normal telescopic one in the rear wing and the other is on the rear window looking like a bit of the heating elements. The Nissan FM units are already designed to take this - apparently it improves reception by switching between the elements as required.
Don't bodge it, you can get Diversity Aerial adapters. I got mine from SafeNSound in Chester as Bob used to be a trader on the 300ZX forum so knows about Zeds and Zed wiring.
Nissan Stereo Info
I have pics and Clarion info for Nissan UK Radio/Cassette and CD but ran out of time to upload them. Later. In the meantime, here are a couple of links to a very helpful site in the US where I found the Nissan plug pinouts. If you have a Bose stereo in your Nissan, these guys are also specialists.
Nissan Car Stereo list incl 300ZX toward the end
Early Nissan Harness and Connector pin-outs
Late Nissan Harness and Connector pin-outs
Why Bother?
Over the years, I have pulled out many bodged ISO connectors and bullet connectors and insulating tape from the three Zeds I've had. I've ditched working Nissan units, tried to get snafu'd ones working and been baffled by what seemed like completely illogical Nissan wiring. It would all have been a great deal simpler and quicker and less hassle if I'd known this before I started!
Don't bodge, get it right. The OEM Nissan units are OK and there are a few places that will supply codes, service and repair etc (like DND Services) so why not recycle - plus they look quite in period. My Sony unit doesn't quite fit so the gap looks a bit naff. On the list of things to get round to.
