No power to radio and broken big black wire

[RalliartRsX]

Well, I went to change out my head unit to a different spec and when removing all the hardware, it seems I broke the big black wire which runs to the antenna jack in the rear of the head unit. Also, there are two (black and smaller) wires running from what seems to be the harness (seems to be the harness within the body of the car) which are also cut (which I assume, one has power for the radio).

So, I do up all the wires and just bought a wiring harness for simplicity and now, neither the old or new system turns on. So, pretty much stuck on what to do next as it doesnt even turn on.

I did however identify the 12v constant power wire (yellow in pioneer case) and made sure it was hooked up correctly. When removing and placing back into harness which connects to the head unit, you can hear a click or chirp to signify something.

Any help would be greatky appreciated.

Thanks, Chris.

[WCCBaLLeR]

If you have constant, then you are missing either ignition or ground. Thats all the radio needs to turn on. To be honest, it sounds like you don't have a clue so just take it to your local car audio shop and pay them to install it for you.

Chad

[qsiguy]

You can figure it out and you'll be the wiser for it. First, what kind of car are we talking about and what kind of new radio? Second, did you put a new end on the antenna cable? You might need to get a special tool to do it right but it is possible to make it work with normal tools, just make sure to get a good connection and not let the center wire touch the outer wire (or ground).

WCCBaLLeR is correct, you only need constant 12V+, switched 12V+, and ground and the radio will turn on. You need to have a test light or multimeter to test the wires. This will make things much simpler. You can't just look at the wire to see if it's hooked up correctly because you don't know if it's got power or not. On most aftermarket radios yellow is constant 12V+, red is switched 12V+, and black is ground. For testing purposes, you can hook up the yellow and red to the same source you know has power to see it the radio will turn on.

If the old radio won't turn on now either you may have blown a fuse while you were messing with the wires. Check the radio fuse, which powers the switched power to the radio. Also check the constant power fuse. This is normally on the same circuit as the dome light, clock, or cig. lighter so look at those fuses. You can also just look at your interior (dome) light and see if it's working. Also, your old radio may have gotten it's ground through the frame when it's mounted to the dash. If you just plugged in the wires without mounting it, it may not have a good ground.

Check out those things and repost your findings. And go buy a test light or multimeter! That is a must have if you are going to attempt any of these types of jobs and they are a must for other elec. troubleshooting. If you have the money, spring for the multimeter (digital), you'll be better off.

[benemorius]

Often times the ground is provided by the physical connection to the stereo mounting bracket, in which case there is no ground wire. This depends on what car you have, which of course means I can't tell you one way or another. Bolt the stereo in and see if it works.

[WCCBaLLeR]

No, ground is best when applied through the harness. Don't try and ground your radio through the chassis or the antenna wire for that matter. If you can't find a ground in the factory harness, find a nice clean spot on one of the crossmembers behind the dash or on the firewall and make one there.

Chad

[benemorius]

I'm not saying one way is better than another. I'm suggesting a possible reason for the stereo not working.

[WCCBaLLeR]

I did however identify the 12v constant power wire (yellow in pioneer case) and made sure it was hooked up correctly. When removing and placing back into harness which connects to the head unit, you can hear a click or chirp to signify something.

If the radio makes an audible chirp or you can hear the CD mechanism working as soon as you plug in the harness, you must have constant and ground...You are missing ignition. Check all your fuses to see if any are blown and if you want to be sure, just jump the red wire on the radio harness over to the yellow wire on the radio harness....if the radio turns on, you are missing ignition.

Chad

[Defiant]

I suspect that "big black wire" is the antenna cable.

[RalliartRsX]

Just want to say thanks for putting up with my ignorance and the fast resposne.

I did check the fuses and the fuse for the dome light was blown so I replafced that. Didnt fix it. Then, come to realize, the ground wire was broken from when I connected it and I just overlooked it.

+1 for my idocracy

Anyways, the only problem now is my broken power antennna cable. I will be getting the cables to fix that in a few hours so she should be good to go!