Are you ready to upgrade your F150 truck with a shiny new radio?
Or maybe you’re just trying to make sense of all those wires behind the factory radio.
Either way, you’re in the right place.
Here, we’ll discuss the radio wiring color codes for Ford F150 trucks – from 1980 to 2023.
Ford F150 Radio Color Codes & Wiring Diagrams
Reminder: This post aims to help you find the correct wires in case of any radio-related problem.
You should never cut these wires and make direct connections with the aftermarket radio wires – unless you have a second-hand vehicle and the previous owner has already cut the factory harness.
Instead, buy a specifically designed wiring harness for your vehicle.
Ford F150 Radio Wiring Color Codes (1980–1986)
| Wire | Type | Polarity | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constant 12V Wire | Power | + | Light Green/Yellow |
| Accessory Wire | Power | + | Yellow/Black |
| Ground wire | Ground | – | Black |
| Illumination Wire | Blue/Brown | ||
| Left-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | Green |
| Left-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Black/White |
| Right-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | White/Red |
| Right-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Black/White |
Ford F150 Radio Wiring Color Codes (1987–1991)
| Wire | Type | Polarity | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constant 12V Wire | Power | + | Light Green/Yellow |
| Accessory Wire | Power | + | Yellow/Black |
| Ground wire | Ground | – | Black/Red |
| Illumination Wire | Blue/Red | ||
| Left-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | Orange/Green |
| Left-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Black/White |
| Right-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | White/Green |
| Right-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Black/White |
| Left-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | Pink/Green |
| Left-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Pink/Blue |
| Right-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | Pink/Blue |
| Right-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Green/Orange |
1991 Ford F150 Radio Wiring Diagram
Ford F150 Radio Wiring Color Codes (1992–1996)
| Wire | Type | Polarity | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constant 12V Wire | Power | + | Green/Purple (1996) Green/Yellow (1992-1995) |
| Accessory Wire | Power | + | Yellow/Black |
| Ground wire | Ground | – | Black/Light Green (1996) Red or Black (1992-1995) |
| Illumination Wire | Light Blue/Red (1996) Blue/Red (1992-1995) | ||
| Antenna Trigger wire | Blue | ||
| Left-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | Orange/Light Green (1996) Orange/Green (1992-1995) |
| Left-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Light Blue/White (1996) Black/White (1992-1995) |
| Right-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | White/Light Green (1996) White/Green (1992-1995) |
| Right-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Dark Green/Orange (1996) Black/White (1992-1995) |
| Left-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | Pink/Green (1992-1995) Gray/Light Blue (1996) |
| Left-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Pink/Blue (1992-1995) Tan/Yellow (1996) |
| Right-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | Pink/Blue (1992-1995) Orange/Red (1996) |
| Right-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Green/Orange (1992-1995) Brown/Pink (1996) |
1995 Ford F150 Radio Wiring Diagram
1996 Ford F150 Radio Wiring Diagram
Ford F150 Radio Wiring Color Codes (1997–2003)
| Wire | Type | Polarity | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constant 12V Wire | Power | + | Green/Purple or Light Green/ Pink or Light Green/Violet |
| Accessory Wire | Power | + | Black/Pink or Black/Purple or Pink |
| Ground wire | Ground | – | Black/Green or Black/Light Green |
| Illumination Wire | Light Blue/Red | ||
| Antenna Trigger wire | Blue | ||
| Left-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | Gray/Light Blue |
| Left-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Tan/Yellow |
| Right-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | White/Light Green |
| Right-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Dark Green/Orange |
| Left-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | Orange/Light Green |
| Left-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Light Blue/White |
| Right-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | Orange/Red |
| Right-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Brown/Pink |
2003 Ford F150 Radio Wiring Diagram
Ford F150 Radio Wiring Color Codes (2004–2008)
| Wire | Type | Polarity | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constant 12V Wire | Power | + | Light Green/Purple |
| Accessory Wire | Power | + | Light Green/ Yellow |
| Ground wire | Ground | – | Black |
| Illumination Wire | Light Blue/Red | ||
| Left-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | Orange/Light Green |
| Left-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Light Blue/White |
| Right-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | White/Light Green |
| Right-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Dark Green/Orange |
| Left-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | Gray/Light Blue |
| Left-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Tan/Yellow |
| Right-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | Orange/Red |
| Right-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Brown/Pink |
2004 F150 Radio Wiring Diagram
2007 Ford F150 Radio Wiring Diagram
Ford F150 Radio Wiring Color Codes (2009–2014)
| Wire | Type | Polarity | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constant 12V Wire | Power | + | White/Red |
| Accessory Wire | Power | + | Blue |
| Ground wire | Ground | – | Black/Blue |
| Dimmer Wire | Violet/Gray | ||
| Left-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | White |
| Left-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | White/Brown |
| Right-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | White/Violet |
| Right-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | White/Orange |
| Left-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | White/Green |
| Left-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Brown/Yellow |
| Right-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | Brown/White |
| Right-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Brown/Blue |
Ford F150 Radio Wiring Color Codes (2015–2020)
| Wire | Type | Polarity | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constant 12V Wire | Power | + | Red |
| Accessory Wire | Power | + | Brown/Yellow |
| Ground wire | Ground | – | Black/Green or Black/Gray |
| Left-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | White |
| Left-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | White/Brown |
| Right-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | White/Purple |
| Right-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | White/Orange |
| Left-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | White/Green |
| Left-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Brown/Yellow |
| Right-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | Brown/White |
| Right-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Brown/Blue |
| Centre-Channel Wire | Speaker | + | Green |
| Centre-Channel Wire | Speaker | – | Yellow |
Ford F150 Radio Wiring Color Codes (2021–Present)
| Wire | Type | Polarity | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constant 12V Wire | Power | + | Violet/Red |
| Accessory Wire | Power | + | Green |
| Ground wire | Ground | – | Black/Gray |
| Factory Amp Turn-on Wire | Amplifier | Yellow/Violet | |
| Left-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | White |
| Left-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | White/Brown |
| Right-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | White/Violet |
| Right-Front Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | White/Orange |
| Left-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | White/Green |
| Left-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Brown/Yellow |
| Right-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | + | Brown/White |
| Right-Rear Speaker Wire | Speaker | – | Brown/Blue |
| Centre-Channel Wire | Speaker | + | Green |
| Centre-Channel Wire | Speaker | – | Gray/Yellow |
2021 F150 Radio Wiring Diagram
Related Read: 6 Reasons Your Ford F150 Radio is Not Working
Common Ford F150 Stereo Wires
Constant 12V Wire
As its name suggests, this wire provides constant 12V power to the radio – even when the key is in the off position. Although it may seem counterproductive (power loss), this constant 12V wire is necessary for the radio to keep track of certain functions, such as current time/date, soundtrack, radio station, etc.
Ignition Wire
The ignition wire is the one that triggers the radio to turn on – by sending the 12V power signal when the ignition key is in accessory mode. That’s why it’s also known as accessory wire.
Illumination Wire
This wire adjusts the brightness level of the car radio screen in darkness. It dims the brightness when you turn on your F150’s headlights.
Ground Wire
The ground wire prevents the radio from any damage in the case of a current overflow.
Amp Turn-On Wire
If you have an aftermarket amplifier installed in your vehicle, you’ll need the amp turn-on wire for that amp to work. It will send a 12V turn-on trigger to that amp and make it turn on/off in sync with the radio.
Otherwise, the amp will remain on 24×7 and drain the battery.
Speaker Wires
Lastly, we have the speaker wires. These wires send signals to the speakers installed in the F150.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Color is the Accessory Wire on a Car Radio?
In aftermarket car radios, the accessory wire is usually colored red. However, the factory systems’ colors vary depending on the vehicle model, make, and year.
Can You Wire Car Stereo Without Harness?
You can wire a car stereo without a harness by directly matching and connecting the wires. However, this method is time-consuming and requires information about your car’s wiring system.
Will A Car Radio Turn on Without a Ground Wire?
The ground wire provides a return path to the electric current that flows through the car radio. This path will not be complete if the ground wire is not connected. As a result, the car radio will not turn on.
Which Wire Gives Power to the Car Radio?
The accessory wire, also known as a switched wire, gives power to the car radio when the ignition key is in accessory mode.
