Power cutting out on headunit

[sharkbait689]

Im trying to wire up my new headunit (a pioneer DEH-1300MP) and i got everything wired up and turned the car on, but the 12 volt wire (the yellow one) seems to not be working. It will supply power for a second, then, if jarred even a little, will stop, then start again. I double checked all of my splicing jobs and they are definitely intact. Also, this problem persisted before i got my new headunit, which leads me to believe its something further back (i.e. the car wiring harness) but when the yellow wire itself is jiggled even a little, power cuts out. Anyone have any idea whats going on? Also, i know soldering is better, but i just dont have the skills or equipment to do that.

 

[spoolingreen20]

Did you cut the factory harness or did you leave it intact? If you had the problem before I would guess that you have an issue with the factory connector. It's either that or the wire itself has a break in it further back. I would replace the wire as far back as you can go because it must have a break in it somewhere. If you can't solder then I would just crimp on some kind of male/female connector.

 

[daplatano91]

How are you testing the wire for power? Test light? If not, it may be that you headset isn't grounded properly.

 

[sharkbait689]

How are you testing the wire for power? Test light? If not, it may be that you headset isn't grounded properly.

I used the factory harness because replacing that would require me to splice every single wire which frankly i dont want to do (again). Anyway, im just using the radio itself as a way to test power. It comes off and on seemingly at random, no matter when or where the yellow wire is moved (im almost certain its the 12v constant). Ground was the other possibility i was considering, but it seems to be connected fairly solidly to the frame. Jiggling that wire doesnt cause the radio to turn off.

 

[dubysnax]

check the fuses under the hood. i had to wire mine in crazy ### of it then i found out a fuse was blown. still havent switched it around tho.

 

[PXHero]

Sounds like it's a loose connection issue, or a break in the wire somewhere. Either in the factory plug, aftermarket harness, or at the radio. If it only cuts out when you wiggle the 12V Constant wire (yellow), then start there. A test light can be purchased fairly cheap from radioshack. Use the test light to probe the +12V Const. at the factory plug first, if that doesn't cause the light to cut out, then just work your way toward the radio with the test light, wiggling the wire, and you should find your short no problem...

 

[zcoh2gdsm]

check your ground, happened to me once after installing a new HU and my ground wasn't in a very good spot.

 

[corleon816]

I would check ground and test the wire you think is causing the issue. Personally I would run a new ground and replace the wire/s in question. You don't have to cut the factory harness out to replace the wire/s in question.