Stereo-Wiring Specs for a 1987 Honda Accord

In 1976, the Accord arrived in showrooms as a larger, but still fuel-efficient, alternative to the Civic. The 1986 model year brought about a second redesign -- which lasted through the 1989 model year -- for the Honda's popular mid-sized vehicle, as Honda made it about three inches longer and equipped it with pop-up headlights. When installing a radio in a 1987 Honda Accord-- aftermarket or original -- correct wiring specifications prevent dangerous electrical shorts.

12-Volt Power Supply Wiring

The 1987 Accord's radio requires two power supplies. One power supply provides a constant flow of 12 volts to the radio. This power retains the radio's preset stations, as well as the time setting on the clock. The power is supplied via a white wire with a yellow stripe. The wire runs into the under-hood fuse box and the No. 11 fuse protects the circuit.

The second source of power for the 1987 Accord's radio is the one that turns the radio on and off. A yellow wire with a red stripe provides 12 volts of electricity to the radio when you start the Accord or turn the ignition to the "Acc" position.

Ground

The 1987 Accord's stereo system has a ground wire that runs from the rear of the radio to the right side of the steering column. This wire is solid black in color, and it must connect to a clean, unpainted metal surface.

Radio Lighting

When you turn on the Accord's lights, the lights on the radio must turn on as well. The wire that controls this is red with a black line. If you are installing an aftermarket radio, please note that not all aftermarket radios have a lighting control.

Speaker Wiring

The 1987 Accord came with a four-speaker stereo system -- two front and two rear speakers. The left-rear speaker has one wire that is blue with a yellow stripe, and another wire that is grey with a white stripe. The right-rear speaker has a red wire with a yellow stripe, and a brown wire with a white stripe. The left-front speaker has a grey wire with a black stripe, and a blue wire with a green stripe. The right-front speaker has a brown wire with a black stripe, and a red wire with a green stripe.

Antenna Wire

The 1987 Accord's antenna wire is black and thicker than the other stereo wires. The antenna wire has a plug on the end of it that simply pulls out of the radio and presses back in.

Using a Wiring Harness Adapter

If you are installing an aftermarket radio, a component called the wiring harness adapter can make the wiring easier and safer. This wiring harness adapter plugs directly into the existing wiring harness in the 1987 Accord. This harness also has wires on the opposite end that connect to the wires on the rear of the aftermarket radio.

When connecting the wires to the aftermarket radio, always connect them using low-resistance solder and protect them by taping each bare wire with electrical tape. This prevents any wires from disconnecting and shorting against other wires or metal components.