Weird S14 issue: Stereo always works on ACC but not on start

[Jason913]

When I bought my s14... I inherited the problem.

When I turn my ignition to accessory... the radio ALWAYS turns on. However, when I start the car... maybe 1/10 times the radio comes on. The rest of the time... everything works, except the radio. I pulled the radio out, replaced it... and made sure all the wires are correct. Same problem is occurring.

The only thing I can think of is replacing the ignition switch. They sometimes go bad on s14's.

Thoughts? Anyone else had this problem?

It's currently out of my garage, in paint. So I can't test anything right now.

Edit:

New issue
Okay now I'm back.

I replaced the ignition switch... got wipers and power mirrors back... but the radio doesn't come on at all, not even on accessory. The new radio issue was occurring before I replaced the ignition switch. Replacing the switch definitely solved the mirror and wiper problem.

On the fuse box, there are two spots marked for audio... which one would be the issue?

Also, where is the chassis ground located on s14's?

Any help is greatly appreciated

[Jason913]

Anyone?

[OutToWinPAHC]

Have you looked at the schematics? I am going to check as well.

[Jason913]

What do you mean? I'm stumped considering it's not a radio issue, and it's not a power issue. The radio works, and gets power... just only on accessory. Rarely when I start the car it works.

Can't be a wiring, or short problem.

[pj]

if your wiring looks good ansd the radio is good, ill wager its the ignition switch.
i had a similar issure with radio and wipers. take the column apart and try to test it out...but i think thats going to be the culprit

[OutToWinPAHC]

Audio has 2 power sources. One for memory and clock that is always on, the other is ignition power.

ACC
On the S14 power comes from the battery, through a 30 fuse G (under hood), to the ignition switch. Out of the switch, to fuse 18 (10A), to the radio

Constant 12
Battery / Alt, through 75A fuse, to fuse 8 (7.5), to the radio

So what I would do....
-Get a multimeter, get a beer, and pull the radio. Check for constant power at pin M (pink wire Nissan harness). 11-14 volts should always be here.
-Check pin G (blue on Nissan harness) you should have no voltage, turn switch to ACC and 12VDC should be there, then start car and its should still be there
-Check all connections
-Check ground from chassis (Nissan sucks with this)

It could be a bad ign switch, but that 12V to the radio also energizes the Accessory Relays coil, so you would loose horn wipers and mirrors too..... so does that stuff work?

I think its your install.

[Jason913]

The stock radio was the issue first. Then I replaced to aftermarket thinking it was the radio... same issue. The mirrors also aren't getting power... and the wipers work randomly. So I'm guessing it has to be the ignition switch based off what you're saying.

[OutToWinPAHC]

I'd say so

[OutToWinPAHC]

Clean the battery terminals, clean the connectors, and check the chassis ground wire too.

[Jason913]

Battery terminals were just replaced. They're perfect. The chassis ground wouldn't affect the radio when I start it vs. accessory though. That's why I keep thinking it must be the ignition switch.

[OutToWinPAHC]

You said sometimes work...... so I would check the ground battery to chassis. The ACC relay needs a ground, so does the radio

[Jason913]

Sorry if I didn't say it right.

But if I turn the car to accessory... the radio ALWAYS comes on. Never fails. However, only 1/10 times will it turn on when I start the car. So the ground would have to be good for the radio to always come on when I put it to accessory right?

[pj]

ill wager its the ignition switch

no one listens to me

[Jason913]

Okay now I'm back.

I replaced the ignition switch... got wipers and power mirrors back... but the radio doesn't come on at all, not even on accessory. The new radio issue was occurring before I replaced the ignition switch. Replacing the switch definitely solved the mirror and wiper problem.

On the fuse box, there are two spots marked for audio... which one would be the issue?

Also, where is the chassis ground located on s14's?

Any help is greatly appreciated

[Jason913]

Okay I browsed through the FSM. I believe it must be the audio fuses on the fuse block.

Picture of mine is coming, looks like the fuse is missing... and since I didn't take it out... not too happy.

Here is how mine looks:




I can't find any specs for how it should look.

[OutToWinPAHC]

You ground the radio to bare metal, like the dash support. As far as the fuses look down into the empty spots, and see if there are metal terminals in there. If there are install the fuse it calls for. Also check all fuses, including the ones in the car that have to do with acc and audio.

[Jason913]

The radio is grounded. I will check out the fuse box next to the clutch pedal. Does my fuse box under the hood look like it's missing any that would affect it? I can't find a fuse box diagram that shows what fuses should be where, and what size fuse.

[Jason913]

I checked all of the fuses. They're all good... so now I'm stumped.

[OutToWinPAHC]

Multimeter time