Weird electrical problem?

[Project240]

I've had this problem with my RB20 for quite a while now, and have yet to really tackle it.

When I turn my ignition on, my Pioneer head unit won't come on; it just sits there and blinks. *However*, when I turn on my parking lights or headlights, it comes on and works perfectly fine. My cruise control computer does the same; without the parking lights/headlights on, I can't arm the cruise control.

Upon checking the power lead to the head unit, we found that it only gets 9 volts with the lights off, and about 12 volts with the lights on.

Another problem that may be related: I have a Directed 250W amp and 2 12" subs hooked up. They're all wired correctly, but every time I send power to the amp, the amp's fuse blows after about a second (25 amp fuse). I even tried using a 30 amp fuse, but it blows that one too.

Anyone ever heard of this? Is it possible that my battery isn't putting out enough amperage to run my accessories, without the lights on? I have an FAL 12" fan drawing straight from the battery in addition to the regular stuff.

How should I go about diagnosing this problem?

[Slo_240sx]

Boy I sure hope you have a relay with that fan. everyone seems to think you can run high amperage components with a wire and toggle switch. Thats asking for a fire.

For youre light problem sounds like you are wired into a circuit that is backed probed with power. Try disconnecting the compents 1 at a time and see if they work. Example, disconnect the cruise control unit see if that helps then move on to the cd player and disconnect that. It sounds as if your amp is blown or your cd player is shorted internally and blowing the fuse. Disconnect the remote wire and check to see if it is ground by applying power to the test light and probe the wire. If it lights up your wire is shorted somewhere. If not I would condemn one if the 2 components.

As for your amp you are going to have to check all of the wiring and back track where it comes from. For your power cable off the battery I use atleast a 40amp fuse with 250watt sub. you are gonna have to reply with results because we can't diagnose cars without them physically in our hands.

-Alex

[Project240]

Yeah, I'm using a relay for the fan, and the rest of the hardware is the electronic control stuff that came with it. The fuse coming off the battery is 100 amp.

[Wulfgang]

I'm impressed if you have cruise working.

[BoostFab]

look like you wired your cd player to the wrong harness?!??

my suggestion, save yourself some headache and ease with installation, go buy one of these radio harness that plugs into the oem plugs and just connect to your cd player. it's only $10-$12.http://www.tune-town.com/Cars/...X.htm
Modified by BoostsFed at 12:29 PM 3/8/2005

[goofynick6]

Sounds like you're wired into a ground where you are supposed to have power, and the kind of ground that is variable, like the type that lets your dash lights dim, etc.

Nick

[Project240]

Haha, no, I can turn the cruise control on and off, but since there's no cable attached to the throttle body it doesn't do anything =\

I guess for now I'll just check over my CD player wiring again...