Amp power wire install HELP

DJamesUofM · Post by **DJamesUofM** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 11:53 am

I own a 2002 Saab 9-5 Aero. I plan on installing a new head unit, amp, and subs. Upon removing most of the panel pieces under the steering wheel, under the glove box, and removing the glove box, I cannot seem to find any breach in the firewall to run the power wire to the battery. There must be some way to run the power wire through the firewall without puncturing my own hole. I have also considered running the wire under the car but can't seem to find a way into the trunk from under the car. My first option is truly the way I want to go and I most certainly do not want to pay the outrageous amount of money it costs to have the system installed. If someone could maybe provide pictures of where they ran their power wire through that would be very helpful, even a diagram of where I should run the wire would help too. I also ran across the idea of maybe just splicing into the amp that is already installed in the car and connect the power wire there. Any thoughts on that? Thanks in advance for any help.

Post by **ttocs** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 12:01 pm

there are lots of cars where I have had to drill my own hole, it is alot more common then you would think and it only hurts the first time.

If your car is an automatice then more then likely there is a spot for the clutch cable to go through and that is almost always a great place to drill. Take note of the steering wheel, brake booster or something that goes through the firewall so that you can get a good approximation of where you will drill through on the other side to ensure there is nothing important behind it. If you are concerned start with a small hole, shine a light through it and you will be able to see if you are clear on the other side.

Post by **stipud** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 12:08 pm

No way the small connector for your stock amp will have enough current for an aftermarket one

. You definitely need to go straight to the battery.

If you take the floor and/or sides off the trunk there are actually quite a few unused grommets you can come up through, and some nice chunky access holes at the back of the trunk through the frame rails! Running it under the car is a definite possibility, but I didn't do it myself.

I personally ran my wire right through the main harness grommet under the dash by cutting a hole inside of it. Can't say I would recommend doing so, because in the process I shorted out a mess of wires and had my horn go off whenever I flicked my turn signals, for example

. That took nearly half a day to fix! Anyways if you are careful there is no reason you shouldn't use this spot... I was just lazy and put a drill in there right away, and paid the price for it.

No specific pictures of the grommet, but here are my 9-5 install pics:
http://phoenixphorum.com/stipud-s-saab-9-5-vt316.html
http://photo.stipud.com/v/saab/stereo/

DJamesUofM · Post by **DJamesUofM** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 12:15 pm

hmmm i guess i'm just a little timid about cutting or drill cuz i dont want to mess anything up on the car. cuz if anything does go wrong i doubt i would be able to fix it myself.

Post by **ttocs** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 12:33 pm

that is understandable and healthy. Just be sure to check a few times before you drill and you will be fine. Almost any autoparts store or hardware store sells grommets and you will need one to ensure that the metal doesn't cut through the insulation and short out the power wire.

holmis · Post by **holmis** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 12:35 pm

Add some paint on the edges of the hole too, then it wont rust....

dwnrodeo · Post by **dwnrodeo** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 12:37 pm

Just be careful as mentioned above and you should be fine. Make sure to use firewall grommets to protect your wire. Streetwires has some nice waterproof grommets to protect the wire and keep the elements out.

Post by **ttocs** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 1:07 pm

see how he did it right below the other cable? That makes it super easy to see where it will come out on the other side. STart with a small pilot hole and then a stepper bit onan extension makes it easy to get teh right size.

DJamesUofM · Post by **DJamesUofM** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 1:09 pm

should i be able to just use a standard drill bit to drill through the firewall?

Post by **ttocs** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 1:11 pm

you might need to use a center tap to make a spot so that it will not walk. Sometimes there is a dimple there in the spot where the clutch wire would go to help you make the whole.

tonym · Post by **tonym** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 1:46 pm

DJamesUofM wrote:hmmm i guess i'm just a little timid about cutting or drill cuz i dont want to mess anything up on the car. cuz if anything does go wrong i doubt i would be able to fix it myself.

look for a rubber grommet to go through