Got a couple of issues...

[SlowTurboRST]

I recently installed a new headunit in my car, unfortunately when it's hooked up it blows my 10amp taillight fuse every time. I've tried grounding it to several places including the factory bracket to no avail, is it possible there is a short in the headunit?

Another problem is I have a stumbling idle which goes to about 400rpm and then the car dies. Could this be caused by the drain from the stereo or a weak battery? This never happened until i installed the new stereo.

I did try to search and couldn't find a clear answer, thanks for any help.

 

[Mike1992]

Where did you hook up the power wire?

 

[SlowTurboRST]

I used a wiring harness adapter kit, although I don't think I messed up any of those connections. When I have a chance tommorow I'll take a look.

 

[SlowTurboRST]

Well, everything is in the right place, somebody has to have an idea, really I'll try anything.

 

[Mike1992]

Got me, I used one of those wire to wire install kits, soldered all my connections then plugged it in. I've had no problems. Make sure all the wires are seperated and arent arcing togeather. I hope you used an install kit and didnt cut the plugs off and straight it, I hate when people do that its such a mess, I even saw a car with the power wire ran to the fuse box into the dome light fuse, some people are such moron's. No wonder why the dome light is dim

 

[TTKarl]

If I remember correctly the radio is somehow wired into the circuit for the taillight fuse. It's been a very long time since I've looked at a schematic for it but since the taillights have power with the key off it would make sense that it goes to the memory wire for the headunit which is normally the yellow wire. If the fuse doesn't blow with the headunit installed either the unit is internally shorted or you need to check and make sure you have the correct wires in the correct places and that no wires are shorting to a ground where you may have spliced it and maybe the tape has come off or has missed a spot.

 

[SlowTurboRST]

The yellow wire is positive power, if I crossed positive and negative wouldn't it short out the headunit?

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by SlowTurboRST
I recently installed a new headunit in my car, unfortunately when it's hooked up it blows my 10amp taillight fuse every time.

Perhaps you're drawing more than ten amps on that circuit?

 

[SlowTurboRST]

Could I remedy this with a 20 or 30amp fuse, or would this cause a problem, ie engine fire. Or should I try and ground to the positive power cable?

 

[crankbender]

It is very possible that you wired the unit up to the dimmer switch. The headunit should have 2-3 inputs.

#1 remote on by the ignition switch
#2 main power (fuse it and run straight to the battery)
#3 some way of connecting to the dimmer switch... sometimes this is done positive sometimes negative...if you have it backwards you will blow fuses.

Does the fuse blow instantly if you turn the radio on even with the taillights off?

 

[nutshot]

Originally posted by SlowTurboRST
Could I remedy this with a 20 or 30amp fuse, or would this cause a problem, ie engine fire. Or should I try and ground to the positive power cable?

If you do, bring marshmallows. Fuses are designed to keep the insulation on the wire, with too large a fuse, the wire will burn. I would trace back the power cables and ensure you did not connect the memory from the harness to the constant on the radio. That's what it sounds like to me.

 

[SlowTurboRST]

Originally posted by crankbender
It is very possible that you wired the unit up to the dimmer switch. The headunit should have 2-3 inputs.

#1 remote on by the ignition switch
#2 main power (fuse it and run straight to the battery)
#3 some way of connecting to the dimmer switch... sometimes this is done positive sometimes negative...if you have it backwards you will blow fuses.

Does the fuse blow instantly if you turn the radio on even with the taillights off?

It blows instantly when the taillights are turned on.

 

[psychlow]

Originally posted by SlowTurboRST
It blows instantly when the taillights are turned on.

Even with the headunit off?

 

[SlowTurboRST]

Originally posted by psychlow
Even with the headunit off?

Nope, only when it's on.

 

[psychlow]

Does the headunit work normally when the taillights aren't on? Can you crank it all the way up without blowing the fuse?

 

[Damn 2nd Gear]

yer pulling too much power. give the stereo its own power source if you can. maybe try to tap into the cig lighter power, its 12v.


btw if ever looking for a buss fuse higher than 60 use 2. ex. i used (2) 40a buss fuses, bnt prons at 45 degree angle on 1 and soldered. the 2 40a=80a hehe. helps if you baught walmart 4ga wiring kit.

 

[SlowTurboRST]

Originally posted by psychlow
Does the headunit work normally when the taillights aren't on? Can you crank it all the way up without blowing the fuse?

Yup, works fine all the time, just makes my idle bad and blows the fuse when I turn on the headlights. I think I may try the 12V idea.