Whether you are installing an aftermarket stereo, head unit, navigation system, MP3 player or Bluetooth device into your Jetta, you’re going to need a Jetta Stereo Wiring guide. That is unless you intend on taking your vehicle into a professional stereo installer, who will charge you hourly for the job that anyone with average wiring skills can get done.
However sorting through speaker wires, radio wires and switched power wires can be a headache. That’s what our comprehensive Jetta Stereo Wiring schematic is for, to show 
Installing an aftermarket stereo is much easier using this wiring tutorial. You can save yourself some money by learning how to install a radio into a Jetta with this guide.
We’ll begin with the 1984-1992 Volkswagen, or the second generation Jetta. Of course when you are installing an aftermarket stereo, the process can be made easier by using a digital multimeter.
Second Gen Jetta Stereo Wiring Guide – 1984-1992
The early generation Jetta is a bit different when you want to install a stereo. Mounting is easy due to the double DIN design, although the wiring can be a hassle. This generation of Jetta does not have a switched power source, so you’ll need to run your remote stereo wire to the ignition column.
Jetta Stereo Battery Constant 12v+ Wire: Red
Jetta Stereo Ground Wire: Brown
Car Radio Illumination Wire: Gray/Blue
Car Stereo Antenna Trigger Wire: White
The front speaker wires are mounted into the dashboard, which can be difficult to replace if you are upgrading speakers.
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Blue
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/Blue
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Red
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/White
The rear Jetta speakers are mounted into the rear panels for this early generation and build of Volkswagen.
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Blue/Green
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/Red
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Red/Green
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/Black
Third Gen Jetta Stereo Wiring Guide – 1992-1999
The next generation of Jetta had multiple stereo types, depending on the build. In premium models late in this build, the optional Monsoon stereo system made it harder to upgrade.
Car Radio Switched 12v+ Wire: Orange
Car Radio Ground Wire: Brown
Car Radio Illumination Wire: Gray/Blue
Using a single or double DIN setup is easy to do in your Jetta. Because the climate controls are placed under the stereo, all you need is the right mounting brackets.
If your Jetta comes with a Monsoon premium stereo system, the amplifier will be mounted to each speaker. Because of this reason it’s slightly harder to upgrade your Jetta stereo system.
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Blue/Black
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Orange/Black
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Red/White
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Orange/White
From the factory the stock Jetta stereo is easy to remove, and equipped with a single DIN slot. If you are intending to mount a motorized flip up stereo, you will need the right sized mounting brackets.
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Orange/Black
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Blue/Light Green
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Orange/Red
Wiring up your Jetta rear speakers is easy enough when you’ve got our Jetta Stereo Wiring guide. These wires are easy to access once you have the center console removed.
Fourth Gen Jetta Stereo Wiring Guide – 1999-2006
This generation of Volkswagen takes a big step forward with the Monsoon system. Because installing a stereo is harder in a Jetta with a Monsoon system in it. You will need to find the Monsoon harness, which is behind your stereo in most Jettas.
There’s changes to the single DIN layout of the Volkswagen in this generation. There’s more space than the previous year Jetta, so you can install a double DIN stereo if you need to.
Jetta Radio Battery Constant 12v+ Wire: Plug #3, Pin #7
The main wire you need to worry about is the switched power wire, which is located at PIN #4 on Plug #3.
Car Radio Ground Wire: Plug #3, Pin #8
Car Radio Illumination Wire: Plug #3, Pin #6
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Plug #2, Pin #6
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Plug #2, Pin #3
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Plug #2, Pin #4
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Plug #2, Pin #7
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Plug #2, Pin #8
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Plug #2, Pin #1
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Plug #2, Pin #2
Signal for Anti-Theft Alarm System Wire: Plug #3, Pin #1
Of course if you are installing a stereo with a flip up face, it’s best to move the single DIN pocket under your aftermarket stereo. This will allow you to gain more access at the top of your Jetta dashboard.
Data Link Connector (DLC) K-Wire: Plug #3, Pin #3
Battery Supply Constant 12v+ Wire for Anti-Theft System (SAFE): Plug #3, Pin #5
CD Changer Data In Wire: Plug #1, Pin #13
CD Changer Data Out Wire: Plug #1, Pin #14
CD Changer Clock Wire: Plug #1, Pin #15
CD Changer Constant Battery 12v+ Wire: Plug #1, Pin #16
CD Changer Control Signal Wire: Plug #1, Pin #17
CD Changer Ground Wire: Plug #1, Pin #18
CD Changer Left Line Out Wire: Plug #1, Pin #19
CD Changer Right Line Out Wire: Plug #1, Pin #20
Fifth Gen Jetta Stereo Wiring Guide – 2006-2011
There’s also Monsoon stereos in this generation of Jetta, which again complicates things. We’ll be breaking down the Monsoon wiring guide below, for anyone looking to install a radio, head unit or navigation system.
Premium Jetta Stereo Wiring Guide
Car Radio Battery Constant 12v+ Wire: Plug #2, Pin #15
Car Radio Accessory Switched 12v+ Wire: Plug #2, Pin #13
Car Radio Ground Wire: Plug #2, Pin #12
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Plug #1, Pin #3
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Plug #1, Pin #7
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Plug #1, Pin #2
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Plug #1, Pin #6
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Plug #1, Pin #4
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Plug #1, Pin #8
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Plug #1, Pin #1
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Plug #1, Pin #5
Because this generation Jetta was the first to start integrating infotainment and the radio into other aspects of the Volkswagen, use this guide to disable or connect the features you need.
CAN-BUS Negative Wire (-): Plug #2, Pin #10
Alarm Contact Wire: Plug #2, Pin #14
Control Signal for Anti-Theft System (SAFE): Plug #2, Pin #16
Telephone Muting Wire (if equipped): Plug #2, Pin #11
Telephone Left Front Signal Input Positive Wire (+): Plug #3, Pin #12
Telephone Left Front Signal Input Negative Wire (-): Plug #3, Pin #6
Regardless of whether or not you are installing a hands-free system or a navigation system, you can tee into the speaker wires for your cell phone integration.
Satellite Radio Constant 12v+ Wire: Plug #4, Pin #5
Satellite Radio Input Wire (Audio Left): Plug #4, Pin #1
Satellite Radio Input Wire (Audio Right): Plug #4, Pin #7
Satellite Radio Input Ground Wire: Plug #4, Pin #3
Installing an aftermarket Jetta stereo system will require a custom install kit, regardless of what kind of factory radio is in your Volkswagen. This install kit will come with stereo mounting brackets and a replacement radio face plate. The next part of our Jetta Stereo Wiring guide involves any Jetta without the Monsoon system. Installing into the standard Volkswagen radio system is much easier than the premium models, as you’ll see in our car audio wiring guide.
Car Radio Battery Constant 12v+ Wire: Red/Yellow
Car Radio Accessory Switched 12v+ Wire: This vehicle uses the CAN-Data system for accessory turn on.
Car Radio Ground Wire: Brown
Car Radio Illumination Wire: Gray
Wiring up the front speakers is simple using our Jetta stereo wiring guide.
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Brown/Green
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/Blue
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Brown/Red
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/Black
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Red/White
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/White
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Red/Brown
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/Violet
Have any questions about this Jetta Stereo Wiring schematic? Need to learn more about the wiring in your Volkswagen? Leave us a comment below and let us know.