Where is the wiring harness in a 1989 Volvo 240 DL? I couldn't find one when I first took out the stereo (CR-712) from the upper tray (above fans). So I cut the wires thinking that was the only way to go, but the wires don't match up with the wires coming from the new CD-Player. People have told me to get a wiring harness but I cant find where the current one is. Is it behind the steering wheel? The wires come in from the left and I've pulled them out as much as possible but still cant see one, even when I look into the back.

Thanks!

Here's the wiring schematic on my 87 240 DL. hope it helps:
Red - Igniiton lead
Gray - FR+
Gray/Black - FR-
White - FL+
White/Black - FL-
Black - Ground
Blue - Power Antena
Blue/White - Remote turn on
Violet - RR+
Violet/Black - RR-
Green - RL+
Green/Black - RL-
Yellow - Battery Lead

If this is a new radio/CD player the supplier should be able to furnish you with the correct harness for your Volvo. If you are installing it used you will probably have the sort out the wires on your own. The radio you removed should have had all the connections you need. How did you remove the old radio? Were any of the wires labeled? Normally there would be a switched 12v (to supply power to the radio) a constant 12v (to provide power to the station memory or clock if so equipped) and the speaker wires.

Randy

None of the wires were labeled. There was 10 wires, the antenna hook-up and the AMP hook-up. The wires went in to the left towards the steering wheel. I can't find any harnass.

Perhaps I'm missing the point but I assume that the old wires "plugged in" to the old unit. That would be your harness- it should have just unplugged from the back of the original radio. Some suppliers (Crutchfield comes to mind) sell an adapter with the radios you purchase from them that simply plugs into the original plug that used to plug into the old radio- they also give you instructions. If you don't have something like this you will need to identify all the wires that used to run to your radio.

I wasn't aware that the 1989 240's had a factory amp. Neither of mine had factory amps. If yours does then I think you should simply eliminate it as is the procedure for installing aftermarket units in the later 740's equipped with factory amps. Sorry I can't be more help.

Randy

That's exactly it. The wires didn't "plug in". They actually went into the stereo and were sodered on the inside. If there is a harnass it is way back in the back somewhere where I can't see it. Man this is looking worse and worse by the minute.

OK, calm down, take a couple of deep breaths. If your stereo was somehow devoid of any "harness" which ends in a molded connector - either squarish white plastic or rectangular and black, plugged into the back of the stereo - then it's an oddball, but so be it. Your old stereo had power and ground going to it, and speaker wires coming out of it. Those wires all still exist, they're just shorter than they were before you cut them. Not a biggie. The biggest task ahead of you right now is to identify which wire is which, and you really need a meter to sort them out. If you don't have one, borrow one or get a $25 one from Radio Shack... it's worth it in the long run. To identify the speaker wires correctly, pop the grilles off the speakers and unscrew them so you have access to the wires. The speakers are typically marked + and - (you may have to look closely). Just clip one test lead to one of the speaker leads and then, using the 'continuity' feature on the meter, check each of the wires in the bundle which you cut in the dash. Do this for each speaker. Then find your ground wire, checking between a good ground (like the ignition switch) and the remaining non-speaker wires. Lastly, figure out which lead is hot (+12v) with the ignition off, and which is hot with the ignition on. If you have a power antenna, then you'll probably have one wire left over, and that's what it's for. Now of course as you've identified each wire you've also marked it with a piece of masking tape labelled appropriately. At this point you are now prepared to do battle with your new stereo's wiring. To make life simple you might want to invest in a crimping tool and use quick-connects, otherwise you really should solder your wiring connections. The least desireable method is to twist wires together and use wire nuts or electrical tape to keep them together.

Good luck... you *will* get thru it, just be patient with yourself. Get all the wires identified, then if you're still stumped, ask more questions.

Thanks for all the responses everyone, they have helped a lot. Now it's just a matter of me having the time to get into the stereo and take it all out again etc. Hopefully I will be able to do it again in the next few days. Thanks again!