Ford F150 Radio Color Codes & Wiring Diagrams

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.