How To Nissan Altima Stereo Wiring Diagram

Installing an after market car stereo or upgrading your car speakers into your Nissan is easy to do when you have our Altima Stereo Wiring schematic. This car audio wiring diagram can help anyone, whether you’ve got car audio installation experience or not. Whether you are installing a new head unit, car stereo, subwoofer, car amplifier or a new set of speakers, this wiring guide shows you what wires to use.

Today I’ll be showing you this comprehensive Nissan Altima stereo wiring schematic. We’ll be covering the Altima from the first to fifth generation. The year ranges that this car audio guide will help you with cover run from 1992-2016.

If you want to save time and money, and do the car audio install yourself, this Altima stereo wiring guide will get the job done.

Most of the time spent installing a Altima stereo will be spent identifying the correct color audio wires for your Nissan. Although car stereo install kits are not needed for the earlier models of Nissan, you will need one for the later models.

First Gen Altima Stereo Wiring Guide 1992-1997

Based on the Nissan Bluebird before it, the first Altima used a single DIN stereo setup. This center mounted stereo can be accessed by removing the front faceplate.

Some of the Altimas that came with the premium stereo package, also included a CD changer. These models can easily step up to a double DIN car stereo.

Car Radio Constant 12v+ Wire: Red
Car Radio Switched 12v+ Wire: Blue
Car Radio Ground Wire: Chassis
Car Radio Illumination Wire: Red/Blue
Car Stereo Dimmer Wire: Red/Yellow
Car Stereo Antenna Trigger: Red/Black
For Altimas with a single DIN setup and a car stereo pocket, you can simply bolt in an aftermarket stereo. Most car stereo installs into this generation will not need a car stereo mounting bracket kit to complete the installation.
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Blue/White
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Blue/Yellow
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Brown
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/White

Second Gen Altima Stereo Wiring Guide 1998-2001

There were several improvements to the next Nissan Altima and car stereo layout. Most models came with a similar single DIN stereo, making install easy and straightforward.

Radio Constant 12V+ Wire: Pink
Radio Switched 12V+ Wire: Blue
Radio Ground Wire: Chassis
Radio Illumination Wire: Red/Green
Radio Dimmer Wire: Red/Yellow
Radio Power Antenna Trigger Wire: Green/White

The front speakers are mounted into the door panels, where the rear Altima speakers are installed into the rear deck. If you are having problems accessing the rear speaker wires for upgrading, you can get to them through the trunk.
Left Front Speaker Wire (+): Brown
Left Front Speaker Wire (-): Black/Red
Right Front Speaker Wire (+): Light Green
Right Front Speaker Wire (-): Black/Yellow
Left Rear Speaker Wire (+): Orange
Left Rear Speaker Wire (-): Black/Pink
Right Rear Speaker Wire (+): Blue
Right Rear Speaker Wire (-): Black/White

Third Gen Altima Stereo Wiring Guide 2002-2006

The most recent Altima in our car audio guide is the third generation Nissan. This newer Altima underwent several changes from the previous model, from the exterior and the radical center console. Gone are the simple installation using a DIN configuration, this Nissan requires that you use a car stereo install kit

Radio Constant 12V+ Wire: Yellow/Green
Radio Ignition Switched 12V+ Wire: Purple
Radio Ground Wire: Chassis
Radio Illumination Dimmer Wire: Red/Blue
Radio Antenna Trigger Wire: Green
Radio Amplifier Trigger Wire: Green/White

These changes make it significantly harder to just bolt in an aftermarket stereo and go, but it’s still doable with the right stereo kit.
Left Front Speaker Wire (+): Blue/White
Left Front Speaker Wire (-): Blue/Red
Right Front Speaker Wire (+): White/Black
Right Front Speaker Wire (-): Blue/Black
Left Rear Speaker Wire (+): Green/Yellow
Left Rear Speaker Wire (-): Black/Yellow
Right Rear Speaker Wire (+): Blue
Right Rear Speaker Wire (-): Red

Installing a car amplifier is easy because of the space created by most install kits. These kits will usually replace the front fascia and eliminate a lot of the excessive Altima stereo components behind the dashboard.

Most of the premium stereos in this generation of Altima also included a six disc CD changer.

Fourth Gen Altima Stereo Wiring Guide 2007–2012

The evolution of the Nissan Altima car stereo continues in the fourth generation. Changes to the steering wheel controls along with integrated double DIN navigation was an option from the factory.

Sharing many similarities with the 350Z, the center console again requires a car audio install kit.

To remove the Altima stereo, you’ll need to take out the upper load pocket tray

The center console panels must also be removed along with your shifter base to access the mounting screws.

Altima Radio Battery Constant 12v+ Wire: Yellow/Red
Car Radio Accessory Switched 12v+ Wire: Violet/Yellow
Car Radio Ground Wire: Chassis
Car Radio Illumination Wire: Red/Blue
Car Stereo Dimmer Wire: Red/Yellow
Car Stereo Antenna Trigger Wire: Black

The Altima amplifier is located under the rear deck and can be accessed through the trunk.
Car Stereo Amp Trigger Wire: Black/Pink or Black/Green

The front speakers are mounted into 6 1/2 recesses in the front doors. Teeing into the front speakers is easy to do once you’ve got access to the Altima stereo wiring harness.

Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): White
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Black
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Green/White
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Orange/Black
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): White/Red
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Blue
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Black/White

There are more changes from this generation to the next one. Installing a double DIN stereo into this year range will require aftermarket mounting brackets however.

Fifth gen Altima Stereo Wiring Guide 2013–present

There are several improvements to the last generation of Altima. This generation of Nissan comes with a premium navigation system with optional rear camera control.

Along with these upgrades there’s also tweeters added up front to provide a complete stereo system.

Car Radio Battery Constant 12V+ Wire: Yellow/Red
Car Radio Accessory Switched 12V+ Wire: Violet/Yellow
Car Radio Ground Wire: Chassis
Car Radio Illumination Wire: Red/Blue
Car Radio Dimmer Wire: Red/Yellow
Car Radio Antenna Trigger Wire: Black
Car Radio Amp Trigger Wire: Black/Pink
The premium Altima sound system came with the optional Bose system, which comes with two amplifier locations.

Some Altima amplifiers are located under the rear deck in the trunk, while some of the earlier models in this year range put the amp under the passenger seat.

The speakers are easily accessed through the front door panels, and you can gain access to the 2 inch tweeters up front as well. When removing your door panels make sure to keep track of the mounting screws.

Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): White
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Black
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Green/White
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown

The front speakers are 6 1/2 inch in size and can be upgraded without changing the Altima amplifier.
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Orange/Black
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): White/Red
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Blue
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Black/White

Have any questions regarding our Altima Stereo Wiring guide? Leave us a comment below and let us know!