⚠️ The Bose Amplifier Location — Passenger Kick Panel
This is a key 11th gen specific electrical detail that is not covered in standard wiring references.
Unlike the 10th gen where the premium amplifier was located under the passenger seat, the 11th gen Bose amplifier is located inside the passenger side kick panel — to the right of the glove box.
Symptom: When tapping into the factory system for a subwoofer or amplifier install, the amplifier cannot be located after checking under the seats.
Fix: Drop the glove box, pry down the rear edge of the passenger side lower dash trim panel to release the four clips, and remove it. The Bose amplifier is located there with two harnesses. Access is tight, but that is its location.
11th Generation — Civic (2022–2025) FE1/FE2/FL1/FL5
Your 11th gen Civic (FE1 sedan, FE2 coupe, FL1 hatchback, FL5 Type R) is the newest generation and Honda has fully integrated CAN bus systems. Chassis codes include FE for sedan/hatchback and FL5 for the Type R. The engines are L15CA (1.5T) and K20C1 (2.0T Type R).
Here is the breakdown of each wire you will need — including the 11th gen specific details that are not covered in generic wiring references.
Wire Color Legend — 11th Gen Specific
The 11th gen uses similar Honda color codes with some new combinations. The FL5 Type R has a unique interior and revised audio routing.
| Code | Color | Common Function (11th Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| BLK | Black | Chassis ground — always ground |
| RED | Red | Battery constant 12V power |
| YEL or VIO | Yellow / Violet | Switched ACC power (key-on) |
| BRN | Brown | Chassis ground or speaker (-) depending on circuit |
| LT GRN | Light Green | Front left speaker / tweeter wiring |
| LT BLU | Light Blue | Front left speaker / front door woofer (+) |
| GRY | Gray | Front right speaker / speed sense |
| VIO | Violet | Front right speaker (-) / Rear left speaker (+) / Rear right tweeter (+) |
| BLU | Blue | Center dash speaker (+) / Rear left speaker (+) |
| WHT | White | Center dash speaker (-) / Subwoofer (+) / Rear left speaker (-) |
Stereo Wiring — 11th Gen (2022–2025)
The 11th gen offers multiple audio configurations:
- Base (8-speaker non-Bose): No subwoofer channel — a summing device is required to create one
- Bose Premium (Touring / Sport Touring): 12-speaker system with Bose amplifier located in the passenger kick panel
- FL5 Type R: Unique interior and audio routing
| Function | Wire Color | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (+12V Constant) | RED | 24-pin head unit plug |
| Accessory (12V Switched) | YEL or VIO | 24-pin head unit plug |
| Ground | BRN or BLK | 24-pin head unit plug |
| Front Left Speaker (+) | LT BLU (head unit) / LT GRN (at amp) | 24-pin plug, pins 15-16 |
| Front Left Speaker (-) | LT GRN (head unit) / LT BLU (at amp) | 24-pin plug, pins 15-16 |
| Front Right Speaker (+) | GRY | 24-pin plug, pins 17-18 |
| Front Right Speaker (-) | VIO | 24-pin plug, pins 17-18 |
| Rear Left Speaker (+) | BLU (head unit) / PNK (at amp) | — |
| Rear Left Speaker (-) | WHT (head unit) / LT GRN (at amp) | — |
| Rear Right Speaker (+) | YEL (head unit) / GRY (at amp) | — |
| Rear Right Speaker (-) | BRN (head unit) / LT BLU (at amp) | — |
| Center Dash Speaker (+) | BLU | — |
| Center Dash Speaker (-) | WHT | — |
| Front Left Tweeter (+) | YEL | A-pillar |
| Front Left Tweeter (-) | GRN | A-pillar |
| Front Right Tweeter (+) | LT GRN | A-pillar |
| Front Right Tweeter (-) | PNK | A-pillar |
| Subwoofer (+) | WHT | — |
| Subwoofer (-) | RED | — |
| Reverse (+) for camera | LT GRN | 32-pin plug / BCM pin 60 |
| Parking Brake | BRN | BCM 66-pin plug (C), pin 58 |
| Speed Sense | GRY (24-pin top of dash) / BLU (C150, pin 11) | — |
💡 Factory Amplifier Location — Passenger Kick Panel
The Bose amplifier on the 11th gen is located inside the passenger side kick panel, to the right of the glove box. To access it:
- Drop the glove box and release the retainer
- Pry down the rear edge of the passenger side lower dash trim panel to release four clips
- Remove the trim panel to access the amplifier harnesses
If the vehicle has the base 8-speaker non-Bose system, there is no subwoofer channel — a summing device will be required to create one.
🔧 24-Pin Harness for Subwoofer Install
For adding a subwoofer to an 11th gen Civic, the recommended approach is to use a 24-pin harness extension — this allows splices to be made on the extension rather than cutting the factory harness. The extension can be removed if the vehicle is sold.
Use the 24-pin connector pins:
- Pin 15: Front left speaker (+) — LT BLU
- Pin 16: Front left speaker (-) — LT GRN
- Pin 17: Front right speaker (+) — GRY
- Pin 18: Front right speaker (-) — VIO
For the Bose system, splices should be made into the harness after the amplifier — refer to the pinout tables above.
ECU Pinout — 11th Gen L15CA & K20C1
The 11th gen ECU is located behind the glove box — consistent with the 8th-10th gens. ECU part numbers for the 1.5T begin with 37820-64N-Axx and the Type R uses 37820-5CG-Axx or similar.
Common 11th Gen ECU Part Numbers:
| Engine | ECU Part Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| L15CA (1.5T — Base / EX / Sport) | 37820-64N-Axx | 1.5L SOHC i-VTEC Turbo — 6MT or CVT |
| L15BZ (1.5T — Hybrid eHEV FL4) | Varies | Hybrid model — different ECU architecture |
| K20C1 (2.0T — Type R FL5) | 37820-5CG-Axx | 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC Turbo — 6MT only |
Critical Ground Locations — 11th Gen
The 11th gen uses a ground layout similar to the 10th gen, with ground points distributed throughout the chassis.
| Ground Code | Location | What It Grounds |
|---|---|---|
| G101 | Engine block / intake manifold area | ECU reference ground, engine sensors |
| G201 | Under front bumper / radiator support | Headlights, cooling fans, body electronics |
| G401 | Transmission housing area | Starter return, alternator ground, A/C condenser fan |
| G501 | Under dash, driver side | Interior electronics, stereo, dash |
Important Notes — 11th Gen Specific Wiring
💡 Radio Replacement Is Not Possible — The Unit Is Integrated
Important: On the 11th gen Civic, the factory radio cannot be replaced due to dash configuration, safety systems, and electrical integration. The head unit is deeply integrated with the CAN bus and vehicle systems.
For improved audio, the available options are:
- Use a DSP or LOC (Line Output Converter) to tap into the factory speaker wires and feed an aftermarket amplifier
- Use a 24-pin harness extension to make splices without cutting factory wiring
- For the Bose system, splice into the harness after the amplifier
🔧 Subwoofer Install — Base System vs Bose System
For the 8-speaker non-Bose system, there is no subwoofer channel from the factory. A summing device capable of creating a subwoofer channel from the front and rear speaker signals will be required.
For the Bose system, a subwoofer channel is present. The subwoofer (+) is WHT and subwoofer (-) is RED. Tap into these wires after the Bose amplifier in the passenger kick panel.
💡 11th Gen FL5 Type R — Unique Wiring
The FL5 Type R has a unique interior and revised audio routing compared to the standard 11th gen. For Type R applications, verify wiring against Type R-specific diagrams — some pin assignments and colors may differ.
❓ 11th Gen Civic Wiring — Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is the Bose amplifier on an 11th gen Civic?
The Bose amplifier is located inside the passenger side kick panel — to the right of the glove box. Access it by removing the glove box and the passenger side lower dash trim panel.
2. Can I replace the radio in an 11th gen Civic?
No. The factory radio cannot be replaced due to dash configuration, safety systems, and electrical compatibility. A DSP or LOC should be used to tap into the factory system instead.
3. What are the speaker wire colors on an 11th gen Civic?
Front left: LT BLU (+) / LT GRN (-) — AT amp: LT GRN (+) / LT BLU (-). Front right: GRY (+) / VIO (-). Subwoofer: WHT (+) / RED (-). Center dash: BLU (+) / WHT (-). Refer to the full table above.
4. What ECU does an 11th gen Civic Type R use?
The FL5 Type R (K20C1) uses ECU 37820-5CG-Axx or similar. The 1.5T models use 37820-64N-Axx.
5. Where is the speed sense wire on an 11th gen Civic?
Option 1: GRY at the radio on top of the dash, 24-pin plug, pin 21. Option 2: BLU at the right of the dash fuse box, 28-pin plug (C150), pin 11.
6. What is the reverse wire for a backup camera on an 11th gen Civic?
The reverse (+) wire is LT GRN. It can be found at the radio (32-pin plug, pin 15), behind HVAC controls (24-pin plug, pin 19), or at the BCM (66-pin plug B, pin 60).
7. What are the ground locations on an 11th gen Civic?
Key grounds: G101 (engine block), G201 (under front bumper), G401 (transmission), G501 (under dash).
8. Can I add a subwoofer to a base 11th gen Civic?
Yes, but the base 8-speaker system has no subwoofer channel — a summing device will be required to create one from the front and rear speaker signals. A 24-pin harness extension is recommended to avoid cutting factory wiring.
9. Is the FL5 Type R wiring different from the regular 11th gen?
Yes — the FL5 Type R has a unique interior and revised audio routing. Always verify against Type R-specific diagrams.
10. Where can I find wiring diagrams for my 11th gen Civic?
Full factory wiring diagrams are available through Honda’s official service information portal (techinfo.honda.com). The 11th gen (FE/FL) diagrams are also available through various third-party sources, but the official service manuals are the most reliable.
💡 Pro Tip: The 11th gen CAN bus is sensitive, and the Bose amplifier integration is complex. Use a 24-pin harness extension for speaker-level tapping, and solder and heat shrink every splice. For subwoofer installations, verify whether the vehicle has the base or Bose system before beginning work.
Sources: Honda factory service manuals, 11th Gen Civic forum documentation, and verified against real-world owner experience. Wire colors and pin assignments may vary by trim, market, and optional equipment. Always verify with a multimeter before cutting or splicing wires.