I am a noob in need of help! Never installed a radio before. I am pretty sure I just connect the right colors from the harness to the stereo. But there is this random black cord on the left that I do not know what to do with. Someone please help, it would be much appreciated

 

Your radio's manual should tell you which color does what. Print a copy of the wiring color diagram for your year 350z and just match them up.

Does that black cable have a ring terminal on it?

 

Or is the black cable simply the antenna?

 

The silver plug/cable to the right of the right-most connector is the antenna. I believe he is referring to the black wire on the far left. Positive it is a groind wire for something.

 

The black wire doesn't appear to be coming from the oem stereo harness. My guess is that it's a ground wire for some other aftermarket accessory. Also, based on the fact that the end is frayed, it was probably grounded next to the mounting screw tab where it's laying in your pic.

 

Thanks guys

 

There does seem to be some standards in automobile wiring:

• Black is a ground wire
• Red is an ignition controlled power wire
• Yellow is a non-ignition controlled (constant) power wire

There are other color constants that our contributors/readers here can comment about or provide information.

 

It's best to check with the install instructions for your specific radio. Here's some common color vs function combo.
- Purple and Purple/Black - speaker wires
- Green and Green/Black = speaker wires
- White and White/Black = speaker wires
- Gray and Gray/Black = speaker wires
- Blue = remote power on. (turn on for an amp, power antenna, etc.)
- Blue/White = remote turn on
- Orange = illumination (works with dimming/brightening your interior lights)
- Brown = speed sensing (change volume with speed)
Hope this helps.

 

Of course... There will always be variations, but hopefully manufacturers follow industry standards/constants. Notice that the black wire is a ground for the radio, but also a ground for speakers. Black is typically a ground for "whatever."