unknown problem with the radio

[lildwell]

Hey guys. Im new here and got a 1995 Q45 about three months ago. I have been lurking here for awhile but a problem forces me to ask this question. I was driving one night when my radio cut off for no reason. I decided to check the fuse box when i discovered the acc audio fuse was blown. It was a 30 volt so i assumed that was correct and replaced it. A couple days later the radio cut off again and smoke came through the dash. I looked at the volt pattern to discover it needed a 10. I replaced the 10 just for it to blow immediately. I put a 25 volt in and it didnt blow but now my radio cuts on when my lights cut on.

Can i get some help?

[maxnix]

1.) Don't use an over capacity fuse unless you don't mind your car burning while you drive.

2.) Find out what the previous owner did to precipitate this malfunction.

[slybydesignq45t]

Is it a aftermarket radio? I am no professional by any means but it sounds like you have a wiring issue in the dash, especially if you saw smoke coming from the dash, pretty scary. Have you tried pulling the radio out to inspect the wires.

[lildwell]

Its got aftermarket and I know its wired wrong. Two weeks after I got the car The back speakers went out. I took them out to replace them only to wire them in my friends maxima and find out they worked fine. The previous owner mixed the aftermarket wiring with the original radio wiring and replaced the sunroof opener with a satelite radio receiver and I know not to use to large of fuses but the correct fuse blows immediately.

[maxnix]

I know not to use to large of fuses but the correct fuse blows immediately.

Which tells you it was a hack job you will have to correct!

[Q45tech]

Use an ammeter to measure the actual current in place of a fuse.

A 10 ampere FUSE is the smallest commonly used in vehicles so circuits are added together until 5-6 amperes is drawn.

Important to understand fuses as a 10 amp fuse may survive with 11 amperes flowing thru it forever.A 10 amp fuse may survive with 13.5 amperes flowing thru it for a minimum of 1 second to a maximum of 30 minutes depending on surrounding temperature

A 10 amp fuse may survive with 20 amperes flowing thru it for 2/10th of a second to 5 seconds depending on surrounding temperature.

[BadQ45t]

Unless your an expired DIY'er you need to go find a good aftermarket radio guy. They are hard to find as most rip and replace radios, you need someone that knows how to diagnose. I'd go and replace the head unit as they are cheap and get them to wire a new one in correctly. Even for an experienced DIY'er this is tricky.