Your Golf stereo install goes much easier when you’ve got our Golf stereo wiring diagram. When you are removing your Golf radio or trying to upgrade your speakers, the last thing you want to do is hunt for a stereo wiring diagram. This comprehensive guide will show you how to wire in any aftermarket stereo, MP3 player, radio, stereo amp, speakers or navigation system. This Golf stereo wiring diagram covers the years of 1986 to 2014 for your Volkswagen stereo.
Whether you are a professional or just looking to upgrade your VW stereo, this wiring guide is for you. You can upgrade the Golf stereo using this guide to connect the power wires and amplifier wiring, or change out the Golf speakers. You can use this Golf stereo wiring guide to complete your Golf stereo upgrade or the speakers in your Volkswagen.
Second gen Golf stereo wiring 1983–1991
The earliest Volkswagen Golf stereo install guide we have, the second generation of this vehicle ranges from 1983 to 1991. Luckily for most people the Volkswagen Golf factory stereo uses the single DIN layout, which makes upgrading simple and easy. You won’t need an install kit to complete the Volkswagen Golf stereo install from your stock configuration.
Car Radio Ground Wire: Brown
Car Radio Illumination Wire: Gray/Blue
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Gray
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Black
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Green
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Black
The front speakers are unfortunately mounted in the dashboard, which can make it difficult to upgrade. When looking for a Golf speaker upgrade, you should remove your factory units first. Because this early version of the Golf does not include a switched power signal, it’s best to use the ignition column for this purpose.
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Gray/Black
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Black
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Green/Black
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Black
The rear speakers for this generation measure 5″ x 7″ and are mounted into the side panels. Make sure to reference our Golf stereo wiring diagram to complete your Golf stereo install.
Third gen Golf stereo wiring 1991–1998
Changes to the next generation of Golf included it’s fair share of interior and exterior upgrades. These changes made it slightly difficult to upgrade your Golf stereo however.
Car Radio Constant 12V+ Wire: Red/White
Car Radio Ignition Switched 12V+ Wire: Orange
Car Radio Ground Wire: Brown
Car Stereo Illumination Wire: Gray/Blue
Although upgrading your Golf stereo to a single DIN unit is easy, there’s not much room for anything else.
Left Front Speaker Wire (+): Blue/Black
Left Front Speaker Wire (-): Orange/Black
Right Front Speaker Wire (+): Red/White
Right Front Speaker Wire (-): Orange/White
Luckily, the front Golf speakers are installed into the door, which make them easy to upgrade. Likewise the rear speakers are mounted into the rear doors, which makes upgrading your Golf speakers easy overall.
Left Rear Speaker Wire (+): Red/Light Green
Left Rear Speaker Wire (-): Orange/Black
Right Rear Speaker Wire (+): Blue/Light Green
Right Rear Speaker Wire (-): Orange/Red
Fourth gen Golf stereo wiring 1998-2004
There’s a few different options when it comes to this year range of Golf. Unfortunately if you happen to own a premium sound system, this wiring will not apply.
Because the Monsoon Golf stereo system utilizes a custom wiring box, you’ll need a color coded key to upgrade or install any stereo system
Car Radio Constant 12V+ Wire: Red/White
Car Radio Ignition Switched 12V+ Wire: Orange
Car Radio Ground Wire: Brown
Golf Stereo Illumination Wire: Gray/Blue
Luckily the speakers remain in the doors, making upgrading your Golf speakers a snap. When you need to wire up the rear speakers, you can use our Golf stereo wiring schematic to get the job done.
Left Front Speaker Wire (+): Blue/Black
Left Front Speaker Wire (-): Orange/Black
Right Front Speaker Wire (+): Red/White
Right Front Speaker Wire (-): Orange/White
Left Rear Speaker Wire (+): Red/Light Green
Left Rear Speaker Wire (-): Orange/Black
Right Rear Speaker Wire (+): Blue/Light Green
Right Rear Speaker Wire (-): Orange/Red
When installing a Golf stereo into this generation of VW, you’ll want to use a mounting kit or bracket when you are using a flip up screen or a motorized single DIN system. Because of the placement and the layout of the dashboard, improper install can really ruin your efforts.
Fifth gen Golf stereo wiring 2004–2009
For Golf stereo enthusiasts with an existing premium Monsoon system, you’ll need the specific wiring diagram here. When installing an aftermarket amplifier, you’ll need a separate power and ground wiring installation for proper operation.
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
Depending on the model of your Golf, you may need a custom bypass for your infotainment system. This simple plug and play system can bypass the CAN-BUS system in your Golf stereo wiring.
CAN-BUS Positive Wire (+): Plug #2, Pin #9
CAN-BUS Negative Wire (-): Plug #2, Pin #10
Alarm Contact Wire: Plug #2, Pin #14
Control Signal for Anti-Theft System (SAFE) Wire: 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
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
Sixth gen Golf stereo wiring 2008–2014
Our final generation of the VW Golf stereo wiring diagram, the sixth generation can pose quite a few issues. If you haven’t already picked out a Golf stereo install kit, you’ll need one for most aftermarket Golf stereo installs. This of course assumes that you don’t already have a navigation unit installed into your VW.
Car Radio Battery Constant 12V+ Wire: Red/Yellow
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
The front tweeters can be easily upgraded using our Golf stereo wiring diagram. These Golf tweeters are the right color wires assuming you don’t have a premium Monsoon stereio system installed or navigation.
This install kit will give you the plastic panels required to give your aftermarket stereo a stock appearance.
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Red/White
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/White
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Red/Violet
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/Violet
Because the factory navigation system does not use a double DIN layout, you’ll still need a bracket to complete your install. When wiring up the aftermarket radio to complete your Golf stereo install, you will need this Golf stereo wiring guide.
Have any questions regarding our Golf stereo wiring diagram? Leave us a comment below and let us know!