KickerCS Upgrade with Kicker Key amp Install Assistance

Got things done and wired up. SUPER happy with the install and the sound. It's even better than I expected...I really appreciate your help @destin_meeks .

My last unknown was how I was going to connect power/ground to the harness. I found some Anderson Connectors that fit the bill really nicely, making the entire harness easily removable if needed. I ran power to the battery and the ground to the grounding point to the lower left of the radio opening, behind the climate control panel.

 

LOVE the connectors for your power and ground! Post a link to that if you can because every key install needs that

 

Thanks! I searched for a while to find something I'd be happy with. It's really nice how the two connectors mate together to make a single unit.

These are the connectors:

$17 Glarks 20 Pair 30AMP Quick Disconnect Power Terminals Connectors, Red Black Quick Connect Battery Connector Modular Power Connectors Set

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EUD2IJ8
And these are the crimpers:

$28 iCrimp Wire Crimping Tool for 15, 30 and 45 Amp Contacts DC Power Connector Modular Power Connector Kit

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MSQPTDS

The connectors are just a tiny bit small for the wire in the Scosche kit, but I was able to easily open the connector barrel just a bit with my nail set (see the middle connector in the pic below). As you can see, they still crimp down perfectly.

 

Anyone have any problems with radio interference? I’ve had the key with my stock radio for 3 years now with no issues. Upgraded to a Sony radio for CarPlay abilities and now every time my headlights are on the radio has interference. Disconnected the key and it went away.

 

You need to swap to RCA’s and use the Sony pre-outs. This will require a bit of cutting/splicing, but nothing you can’t handle if you did the initial Key install.

you want 2 of something simple like this



Then just cut the smaller side of the Key harness where you spliced it originally, and splice these on instead.
Plug them into the radio and set it to low input instead of high input

 

Yeah I’ve got it plugged into the Sony unit via rcas that I modified. I’ve still got the key on high input. Maybe that’s my problem.

 

That’s definitely it. You’ll want to set it to low and reset your gains

 

Crutchfield directed me to this harness for wiring a kicker key to my factory non jbl headunit.

I have no idea what any of this means though. Is this plug and play with options for add-ons in the future? I assume just cap them off if I'm just trying to add a kicker key 200.4 to my kicker 6x9s and rear 6-3/4s.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_541LPHTY02/PAC-LPHTY02-LocPro-Advanced-T-Harness.html

 

Go back one page to post #403 and start reading

 

I have read through this whole thread twice, missed that somehow. Good looking out.

Been struggling to find a lazy/easy way to approach this, so i finally went down to harbor freight today got myself a wire stripper, crimping tool, and variety pack of crimping supplies to try and learn how to do this myself lol.

 

Klein-style crimped and some red/pink butt splices and you’re golden. Also a small pack of yellow to splice your power and ground to the power wire kit

a pack of 4” zip ties is also very handy to keep things clean

 

Ordered my kicker key, power wire kit, and red wolf wiring harness. Should have it all tomorrow, and will spend some time this weekend crimping it all together. Appreciate everyone's help

 

Forgive my stupid question, I'm literally just winging this install with 0 audio and wiring experience...

I got the red wolf harness, cut it in half, but which side do I attach each end to on the kicker key? I don't actually know which side is input/output. My gut is telling me male side of redwolf harness into the R51 Port of headunit, splice into smaller plug of kicker key (the one that doesn't have ground/powerr/remote wires). Then splice female end of red wolf to larger side of kicker key, then plug factory speaker wires into the larger female side of red wolf?

Also.. how do I connect ground and power to the key. Butt connectors are my only real available option, not gonna learn to solder heat shrink etc etc overnight

 

You’re connecting the dots and have the correct train of thought. More than a few people in my DMs can say!

for the power, grab some yellow butt connectors (as long as you got the power wire kit)

the yellow will accept up to 10awg wires

 

I have a 12awg power and ground kit that has a 20A maxi i fuse holder, someone linked in a thread somewhere. Haven't attempted to tackle the power/ground yet. Still just trying to get the key setup lol. I do have yellow red blue buttconnectors.

 

Yellow for power and ground, red for everything else
Start your power in the engine bay and go into the truck.

 

Got it. Recommendations on what switches to turn on/off on the key itself? I don't have a sub, just kicker 6x9s up front, subi tweeters, amd kicker 6-3/4 in the rear

 

Just going through the dip switches, first one down, the rest up

 

Just installed the kicker key.. I thought successfully. No sound coming out of my car. 2021 non jbl. Red wolf harness

Which side of the amp is supposed to plug Into the headunit? Side with dip switches or the side with smaller harness key harness?

Also I may have forgotten to press that little button don't remember what it's called. Is that an issue?

 

Small key side goes into head unit, big key side (with power/ground) goes to factory wiring

if you mean the Radio detect button. It should be off.