Well im having more problems with the stereo in our '89 XL.

Since we've gotten it, i noticed every time i put any volume into it~It distorts, Especially anything with bass.
I took it out today and found 3 wires that are not connected to anything, I'm hoping these are the cause of the problem/s... But i'm not finding anywhere they would connect to?

One looks to be a ground/anti theft thing (that isn't factory?), but the other 2 are spliced into existing wires, and one has half of an inline fuse (250v 4amp).

Any ideas?
I bought a manual off ebay like 2 weeks ago... still haven't gotten it, so no help there, heh.

Here's a pic:


Oh and another existing problem is the tuner/clock light is very dim, and non existent when the headlights are on.

 

Are these even stock wires?
I actually found another piece of an inline fuse setup (250v 4a also), i think it was crimped onto the green spliced wire...

Whats the deal here?

 

Looks like someone added something to the stock wiring, and removed it later. If they installed another head unit, I'm guessing that they connected to the "Always-On" line, the "Power-On" line, and the instrument light line.

 

This is exactly why I never encourage people to cut and splice the wiring. I know this isn't your fault, previous owner butchered the wiring. You will need a wiring diagram to identify your illumination, power on, constant power, and ground wires. Do not reuse your stock speaker wiring. Run new wires to each speaker, that will resolve most distortion issues. The stock fors speaker wiring causes distortion, because it uses a common ground design, while most aftermarket head units use individual grounds. There is often distortion with the stock head unit as a result of this. Speaker systems need very clean connections to sound good.

 

Yeap - first step - find your 3 wires that are for power, etc (one is hot all the time, one is switched, and one is ground) any power amp will need those too, but the only one you need to worry about is the switched lead, since you'd be running the Pos for the amp, off a CAP or directly off the Batt, and grounding it near by to the floor, etc.

and I would re-splice below their splices, a new universal harness - this is the way to go now, since then, you can use any make or model stereo, and just use their specific harness, which will plug right in... and you never have to re-splice again, even if you change your head unit, etc...

use crimp connectors, not wire nuts - it makes it neater, plus I think they are just better... next best thing to solder.

In my 89, I rewired everything, because as BR mentioned, the original system used the ground of the van for the speakers ground as well... plus the wire is only like 22 gauge at best... (yuck!)

a GOOD 16 gauge speaker wire, run to each speaker, will make a huge difference, even if you don't use a separate AMP, etc - and just a head unit - but if you are going to all that trouble, might as well get an amp too...

I put my 4 channel 1000 watt amp right in between the first bench seat and the side of the van, under the carpet... it's cool, cause you can cover it up, if you are worried about someone looking in, etc, or roll the carpet back when pushing lots of power, so it can keep cool...

I find the aero to be one of the easiest vans/cars to wire, because you have so much room to work...

one note - be carefull when running the wires just under moldings, etc, and so your screws don't damage the wire when you screw all the panels back on tight, etc...

Good luck!