While installing an aftermarket HU to replace the blose, it seems that I damaged something.

I initially thought the installation was successful, as I had power to the new HU and it sounded great. However, while removing the new HU to complete the connections to the rear speakers I ran into a situation where I can no longer get power to the HU.

I've even gone so far as to order an additional new HU and another wiring harness, but with the same results.

As far as I can tell (using a continiuty tester and voltmeter), I've got power from the ACC (red) wire while the ignition is on (also evidenced by the fact that my Delphi XM receiver will power up), but there is no power from any of the other wires (Illum, Back-up...). I've checked and re-checked all the fuses and they appear to be intact. No other electrical components in the car are failing.

Before I drop the $$ to have the dealership check this out, is there anything else that I should look at? I'm wondering if the factory amp might have shorted out, or even if the factory harness incurred a short somewhere while I was poking around in the dash.

Barring all this, if anyone knows of a good installer in the N. Virginia/S. Maryland area who can un-f*ck my efforts, please let me know (ouch... it hurts to admit that I screwed this thing )

Thanks much,
Scott

 

If you are positive you have power, then check the ground connection.

You should have +12 Battery on a Yellow wire, and +12 Ignition on a Light Green wire.

Ground is supplied through the case of the audio unit.

 

I have the +12 on the light green (running into the red wire on the harness), but no power on the Yellow or the Illumination (orange) wires.

I've connected the ground leads to the metal frame that holds the HU. How would I go about determining the integrity of the ground connection?

And thanks much for your advice. This is killing me!

 

did you check the fuse panel to see if the fuse blew?

 

Also, when you have the panel off the dash that holds the HU, you would normally unplug the harness that goes to the 3 guage cluster on the dash. When I was doing my install, I found that if the harness for the guages is not hooked back up for HU testing, you will not get the right power to the HU. This might be something that was connected the first time, but you later disconnected it for later trials. Just my $.02. This is something that had me confused for at least 30 minutes. Also, I could not figure out why the HU would only power if I added a second grounding strap to the dash metal. As it turns out, my HU requires a body ground which it gets from the antenna connection. I had not hooked that up either as I was just testing.

 

First, thanks to everyone for your advice. I feel like I owe a lot of beers now...

I've checked and re-checked all the fuses. They're all intact, and there are no apparent malfunctions of any of the other electrical systems.

I've also tried grounding the system in half a dozen spots. Additionally, I've tried grounding each lead separately as well as trying to ground all three leads (1x from HU, 1x from large wiring harness connector, and 1x from small wiring harness connector) as a bundled unit.

And Peptidbond, I was on the same track of thinking. I had the passenger's side window controls disconnected during initial testing and wondered if that might have been the problem. So I ensured that all internal electrical controls/displays were connected... still no luck.

The wierd thing is that I get a positive read on the ACC (red) wires while the ignition is keyed on. So there is power getting to the HU (again, I can get the Delphi XM unit to power on, but it only uses the ACC wire). But there's nothing on the ILLUMINATION or MEM/B-UP (orange and yellow respectively). My current thought is that there's a short of some sort deep within the wiring itself. I just don't know how to test this without involving a professional.

Still, I'm convinced that having no sound still sounds better than the blose... =)

 

I believe there is an additional fuse panel on the pass side under the hood. it is on the firewall, under the battery cover, behind the battery. If I remember correctly, there is another fuse that is for the constant power circuit behind the radio. Check that out before you bring it to the dealer. Also If I remember correctly, you need to take off the snaps and the cover over the battery for easier access. hope that helps.

 

Hey Scott... that was it! The fuse box located next to the battery had a blown fuse. I never would have known/thought to look there... so I go have a beer on me.

System looks and sounds great.

Whew! Thanks again, everyone.

Other Scott

 

Aint the internet comunity more fun than a fish in yer pants? Love reading this stuff! Good job all!

 

Oh my god, that was funny. A fish in the pants can be really fun. Even better...being smacked with a cat.