Modify a Pioneer Direct Wire adapter to work with a Pioneer Headunit that does not have an LCD screen

By Brian Doll, AutoHarnessHouse.com Technical support, April 2020

Introduction:
AutoHarnessHouse.com provides Pioneer Direct Wire adapters for a number of vehicle models. These adapters drastically simplify the installation of an aftermarket Pioneer headunit because most of the wiring connections between Pioneer headunit connector and the OEM connector in the vehicle are already done. Since the splicing of these wires is often the most tedious and error prone part of an audio installation, these adapters will help to keep the wiring clean and simple. In addition, aftermarket wiring adapters normally don't include wires for the steering wheel controls, reverse signals, or vehicle speed signals. If these signals are available in your application, we will include the wires in our wiring connectors so that you can connect to these signals without damaging factory wire.

The Issue:
The AutoHarnessHouse.com Pioneer Direct Wire adapters are designed to connect to Pioneer headunits that have an LCD screen since this includes the majority of the Pioneer headunits that are sold. However, Pioneer sells headunits that do not have an LCD screen and are wired slightly differently. Have no fear! The Pioneer connector is identical in both cases and the wiring is mostly the same. One wire is different. Since these headunits do not have an LCD screen, a reverse camera is not an option and the reverse signal will not be connected to the back of the headunit (There is no "Reverse Signal" input on these units). Pioneer has wired the "Amp Trigger" signal to the pin that we would ordinarily use for the "Reverse Signal" input. The guide below will show you exactly how to fix this!

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List of Headunits Affected

While it would be nearly impossible for me to generate a list of every model of Pioneer headunit that does not have an LCD screen, this list is my best shot. It is not an all-inclusive list but it will provide a list of some of the common headunits that will require this wiring alteration: (I did verify that each of these units is compatible with the direct wire adapter once the modification below is complete)

DEH-150MP DEH-80PRS DEH-S1010UB DEH-S31BT DEH-S4000BT DEH-S4010BT DEH-S4120BT DEH-S4220BT DEH-S5010BT DEH-S5100BT DEH-S6010BS DEH-S6220BS DEH-X3910BT DEH-X4700BT DEH-X4800BT DEH-X4900BT DEH-X6500BT DEH-X6600BT DEH-X6700BT DEH-X6800BT DEH-X6900BT DEH-X7800BHS DEH-X8800BHS

FH-S500BT FH-S501BT FH-S51BT FH-S520BT FH-S52BT FH-S700BS FH-S701BS FH-S720BS FH-S722BS FH-X520UI FH-X700BT FH-X70BT FH-X720BT FH-X721BT FH-X730BS FH-X731BT FH-X820BS FH-X830BHS

MVH-S21BT MVH-S215BT MVH-S300BT MVH-S301BT MVH-S310BT MVH-S322BT MVH-S420BT MVH-S512BS MVH-S522BS MVH-S622BS MVH-S720BHS

If your headunit isn't listed here, you can check the wiring connector that came with your headunit from Pioneer. It will either have the blue wire in the slot as pictured below or it will be in the purple wire's slot.

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Modifying your Adapter

If you are still reading, you've probably determined that you will need to move the Amp trigger signal on the direct wire adapter to fit one of the headunits listed above. Here's what you need to do!

1) Find the blue and purple wires

There are 3 Purple wires on the direct wire harness. You will ONLY be using the purple wire that is between the blue and black wire. Find the blue and purple wire:

2) Cut both the blue and purple wires

Note that I have not cut both wires in the same location. Cut the blue wire shorter than the purple wire. This will leave room to make the connection in the next step:

3) Connect the purple wire to the blue wire

Solder the wires or crimp them if you do not have the tools to solder.

4) Cover or wrap the connection

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Final Thoughts

We wish you the best with your install! Our support team is here and happy to help if you have questions. Email us at inquiry@autoharnesshouse.com if there is anything that we can clarify or if you need something more custom than the standard, recommended set of parts for your vehicle.