Easily one of the most popular Volkswagen models in the past few years, the Passat comes with a robust sound system. That doesn’t stop people from upgrading their Passat stereo, by either installing a new radio or Passat speakers. When you’ve got a Passat radio upgrade in mind, you need our Passat stereo wiring diagram to do the job yourself.
This Passat stereo wiring schematic covers the year ranges of 1988 to 2012 or more specifically the 3rd generation (B3) and up. Of course when you are upgrading your Passat speakers, this wiring guide helps you connect the right wires. This eliminates the need to track down wires or test polarity. One of the hardest parts of installing new Passat speakers is figuring out the positive and negative wires.
And of course the best part of our Passat stereo wiring guide is the stereo. Save time and money by easily connecting the power, ground and remote antenna wires in your Passat stereo. Whether you are an experienced stereo installer, or just a weekend warrior, this Passat stereo wiring guide will help.
B3 1988-1996 Passat stereo wiring
Installing an aftermarket Passat stereo usually requires a custom install kit for this year range. Although you can get away without one, most single DIN stereos won’t slide right into this factory stereo location. Unfortunately, this generation of Volkswagen Passat does not have a dedicated switched power wire.
If you are wiring up a new Passat stereo, run an extra wire from your stereo to the Black/Yellow wire in the ignition column for switched power. This is the same case if you are trying to install a new Passat amp as well.
Car Radio Battery Constant 12v+ Wire: Red
Car Radio Ground Wire: Brown
Car Radio Illumination Wire: N/A
Car Stereo Dimmer Wire: Gray/Blue
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Green/Black
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Orange/Green
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Green/Black
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Black/White
B5 1997-2001 Passat stereo wiring
There’s a few challenges when it comes to the B5 Passat, especially when it comes to a new Passat radio. Because the surrounding buttons and trim can complicate matters, it’s best to look for an affordable Passat stereo install kit. Most of these kits will come with new mounting rails, and the plastic trim to fit around your stereo opening.
When you want to upgrade your B5 Passat speakers, this Passat stereo wiring guide comes in handy. Using this schematic to complete your Passat stereo wiring, you can get your sound system upgraded quick.
Much like the previous year, the switched accessory power wire needs to go to your steering column. This wire should go to the ignition of your Passat stereo wiring. Make sure to wire it to the ON position on your ignition switch only.
Radio Constant Wire 12V+: Red
Radio Ground Wire: Brown
Radio Illumination Wire: Gray/Blue
Radio Antenna Trigger Wire: White
Left Front Speaker Wire (+): Green/Black
Left Front Speaker Wire (-): Orange/Green
Right Front Speaker Wire (+): Green/Black
Right Front Speaker Wire (-): Black/White
B5.5 2001-2005 Passat stereo wiring
This year range of Passat also underwent a mid generation revision. This is often called the B5.5 Passat. Along with other changes, the Passat stereo also got upgraded. It still doesn’t stop many owners from upgrading their radios in their Volkswagen however.
Car Radio Battery Constant 12v+ Wire: Red/Blue
Car Radio Ground Wire: Brown
Car Radio Illumination Wire: This vehicle uses the can data network for illumination and dimmer controls.
Much like the older models of the Passat, there’s no dedicated switched accessory wire for your Passat stereo. However because the B5.5 Passat includes a CAN network, you can simply tee into that wire instead of going to your ignition switch. For aftermarket Passat amplifiers, it’s best to use the wiring from your factory amplifier.
Not sure where your Passat amplifier is? Look behind the double DIN factory stereo for this wiring.
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Red/Green
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/Green
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Red
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/Red
The front tweeters are also powered by the positive wire that goes to the front Passat speakers. Upgrading your Passat speakers is easy to do when you’ve got our Passat stereo wiring diagram in hand.
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Blue/White
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/White
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Blue
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/Blue
Much like the front tweeters, the rear tweeters in the B5.5 Passat use the positive wire from the rear Passat speaker.
B6 2005-2010 Passat stereo wiring
This year range of Passat features heavy integration into the navigation or rear camera system. When installing a new Passat radio, you may need an electronic bypass so that you don’t lose any functionality. As with previous models, it’s best to use a Passat stereo install kit.
This ensures that you have the same look and function as your OE Passat stereo.
Car Radio Battery Constant 12v+ Wire: Red/Green
Car Radio Ground Wire: Brown
To use a switched accessory wire for your Passat stereo, make sure to use the CAN network wires. This generation of Volkswagen does not like having the switched power wire go to the steering column or your ignition switch.
Passat Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): White
Passat Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Black
Passat Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Green
Passat Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Black
The Passat tweeters are powered from the front positive speaker wires. You can also choose to upgrade your Passat tweeters, but may need to size them properly. Using our Passat stereo wiring diagram gets you the best results when upgrading your Volkswagen radio.
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Black
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Green
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Black
Have any questions about our Passat stereo wiring schematic? Need some clarification on your Passat stereo install? Leave us a message below and let us know! For the very best in automotive news, guides and tips, subscribe to My Pro Street or our Facebook page.