So I paid $600 to get my head unit installed last time, which is pretty ridiculous. I figured I'd try it myself this time, and it was pretty simple, but the radio doesn't come on. I'm pretty sure it's this yellow wire that's just dangling. But where does it go?

When I uninstalled the radio from the last Z I had, there was nothing soldered or anything, so I'd think this should be simple. It has some weird springy type end on it.

 

^Simple to do wrong apparently!

Did the previous Z have the Bose system in it? COULD be why it was so expensive, still seems kinda pricey though if the head unit was all you had installed.

The Yellow wire is your memory or constant power wire. It should wired to have power constantly regardless of which position your key is in. In other words it should still have power when the car is turned off with the key out of the ignition. If you are hardwiring the stereo in then you need to determine which wire in the stereo harness is the constant power wire. I'm assuming you didn't buy the wiring harness that adapts the cars wiring to the new head unit.

 

At least the $600 you paid to a professional installer resulted in a working CES.

As SeekandDestroy mentions, the yellow wire you ask about provides continuous power to your H/U. This allows storing preferences, presets, etc.

The yellow wire is very different from your power wire. The power wire is red and ACC switched, and only sends current to the H/U when the ignition allows current flow.

You said: “I figured I'd try it myself this time, and it was pretty simple, but the radio doesn't come on. I'm pretty sure it's this yellow wire that's just dangling.”

The answer: No, it’s not just that yellow wire (although you probably need to connect that as well).

The solution: Test your red power wire and be certain that it is supplying power to the H/U.

Hope this helps,

--Spike

 

Did you buy the radio used? If there is a weird springy type thingy on the end it sounds like you are missing half of a fuse holder. There should be another piece that rotates in to the piece you have and then a yellow wiring coming out of it that needs to be connected to constant voltage in the vehicle.