New Stereo - Wiring question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: CT, USA
New Stereo - Wiring question
Decided to go for it ... cut the console to fit in a DIN style radio/CD player. No problem with the fit, the unit looks great. Now for the wiring, I used the original leads (constant hot, acc hot, and ground) to power the unit. Wired up the old speakers (for now) and gave it a try. With the key in either the "on" or "acc" position, the unit is getting power but will not operate. I know it's getting power because I can hear the CD motor and the clock started running. Here's the weird part, I turned on the headlights and the unit worked perfectly!
Can anyone tell me what would cause this :confused: :confused: :confused:
Any help would be much appreciated :cheers:
Can anyone tell me what would cause this :confused: :confused: :confused:
Any help would be much appreciated :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 29,745
Likes: 3
From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
CI-VIII Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: New Stereo - Wiring question (rafox77)
check your ground wire first, make sure it's a good ground.
Second, use a test light to make sure you are getting power on the hot lead when the key is "on" or at "acc". You probably have a constant hot lead also that keeps the memory. Make sure it is always on.
start with those and post if those don't help.
Good luck.
Second, use a test light to make sure you are getting power on the hot lead when the key is "on" or at "acc". You probably have a constant hot lead also that keeps the memory. Make sure it is always on.
start with those and post if those don't help.
Good luck.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Jax Bch FL
Re: New Stereo - Wiring question (rafox77)
B is right...Make sure and check those wires...I've had the same problem in the past...also make sure that your wire harness is connected completely to the back of the radio...it may not be hitting everything completely...and lastly make sure an plug that antenna in...Oh yeah, I've felt like a big goober in the past {=oþ
Enjoy, and good luck!
~Ian Seth :iagree:
Enjoy, and good luck!
~Ian Seth :iagree:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: CT, USA
Re: New Stereo - Wiring question (Gotta Fix my '76)
I'm going to check it out tomorrow, but tell me this ... why does it work when the light switch is on ... what difference does that make?
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
Re: New Stereo - Wiring question (rafox77)
You may have tapped in to the instrument panel illumination wire instead of ignition switched power wire. One's yellow (+12V), the other gray (Illum.) on mine.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Mary Esther Florida
Re: New Stereo - Wiring question (rafox77)
I work electronics for a living and it sounds to me that either your stereo is being grounded through your lights or you are actually using the hot return from the lights as your power lead. That is where you should start. With that being said, electronics is very funny sometimes. Without going out to see how my car is wired(some of the wires were butchered when I got it) , I would say to check where you are getting your power out of your Corvette's wiring. If you can't figure it out, I will check mine when I have more time and get back with you- about to go bowling. Check your grounds. One should be a chassis ground and the other should be a circuit ground. Next, check to see where you are getting your memory power- it should be a constant power source. Finally, you should get an accessory power source that you should make sure is not coming from a part of your car that requires it's own power. Good luck and I'll get back with you........
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
Re: New Stereo - Wiring question (1979VetteMike)
I agree that you have got it hooked up to the hot wire for the illumination........the factory radio had lights in it that came on when the headlights were turned on.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: New Stereo - Wiring question (1979VetteMike)
Agree w/ wbarkley & 7t2vette that you are connected to the grey instrument panel illumination wire. As 1979VetteMike said, you must be sure power is to switched 12V+ & memory power is to constant 12V+ like COURTESY circuit.
1979VetteMike
Welcome to the forum. :cheers: Good to have an electronics pro here.
:cool:
1979VetteMike
Welcome to the forum. :cheers: Good to have an electronics pro here.
:cool:
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Rochester NY
Re: New Stereo - Wiring question (rafox77)
I too think wbarkley sounds plausible on this matter. You might try connecting a voltmeter to each of the +12 inputs referenced to battery ground and see what happens as you turn the key and lights on and off.
Other wise the 'works w/ the lights on only' is almost as weird as a friend who told me if he reversed his battery terminals the radio would listen and the headlights cast shadows ... :jester
Or consider gremlin wiring: the backup light terminal clip on the old VW bugs was the same as the ignition coil terminal clip and very close to the coil. You could easily see this on a dune buggy and swap them so your pal could only run the car in reverse. :jester
Keep plugging, you'll eventually find the problem. We'll be interested to know the answer when you find it. :thumbs:
Other wise the 'works w/ the lights on only' is almost as weird as a friend who told me if he reversed his battery terminals the radio would listen and the headlights cast shadows ... :jester
Or consider gremlin wiring: the backup light terminal clip on the old VW bugs was the same as the ignition coil terminal clip and very close to the coil. You could easily see this on a dune buggy and swap them so your pal could only run the car in reverse. :jester
Keep plugging, you'll eventually find the problem. We'll be interested to know the answer when you find it. :thumbs:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 792
Likes: 2
From: Norcross GA
Re: New Stereo - Wiring question (woodsman)
I bought an after market wiring harness from JC Whitney for like ten bucks. You remove the old wiring harness from the stereo and plug this thing in. The only thing I did was ground and a constant hot (the cigarette lighter) and everything worked like a champ.
Bob
Bob
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 541
Likes: 5
From: Epping NH
Re: New Stereo - Wiring question (rafox77)
When I replaced my radio this summer, I had to connect three power wires. First was switched power (powert when key is in the on position). The second wire was a memory lead which must be on a constant power source to allow the radio to recall stations. The third was an illumination lamp which showed the LCD in the dark. The radio would not function until I had all three connected.
One problem I have been unable to reverse is ignition noise. I have purchased a noise filter from Radio Shack and am unable to eliminate the problem. When putting in the radio, I also replaced the aftermarket antenna with a "correct" antenna/grounding plate. Since the ignition noise is also heard with tapes, the antenna does not seem to be the source. I suspect the real problem is inadequate grounding. Has anyone eliminated this on their own?
Mark
One problem I have been unable to reverse is ignition noise. I have purchased a noise filter from Radio Shack and am unable to eliminate the problem. When putting in the radio, I also replaced the aftermarket antenna with a "correct" antenna/grounding plate. Since the ignition noise is also heard with tapes, the antenna does not seem to be the source. I suspect the real problem is inadequate grounding. Has anyone eliminated this on their own?
Mark
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: CT, USA
Re: New Stereo - Wiring question (rafox77)
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts on this. I'm pretty sure that I must be crossed between the illumination lead (thus the light switch connection) and the switched power for the unit. I'll get it right when I'm ready for the final install ... I have plenty of work to do before that. My interior is now completely gutted and I will be sealing the water leaks before replacing everything ... nice winter project! :thumbs:
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 29,745
Likes: 3
From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
CI-VIII Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: New Stereo - Wiring question (rafox77)
:cool:
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Atascocita TX
Re: New Stereo - Wiring question (BSeery)
the same thing happened to me in my car... apperently i wasn't getting enough power out of the wire for the head unit. once i ran new wires... worked great. use a multimeter and check the voltages on those wires.