In this article: We'll walk through some of the most common aftermarket car stereo problems and symptoms and provide some solutions to help you fix your stereo problem!
- Problem: Can’t Find an Accessory/Ignition Power Wire
- Problem: Head Unit Has Power But No Sound
- Problem: Installed An Aftermarket Head Unit and Now It Has No Power
- Problem: Alternator Wine
- Problem: Installed a Car Stereo, Now Radio Doesn't Have Signal
- Problem: Car Headlights Flicker When Music Is Turned Up Loud
Aftermarket stereos can be a pain if they aren’t functioning properly. Whether it's an installation that might not have gone as planned, or a random problem that comes out of nowhere. Here is a list of your common car stereo problems, symptoms and solutions to help get your stereo up and running!
Problem: Can’t Find an Accessory/Ignition Power Wire
Possible Solution:
- In some cases, car stereos do not come wired with a 12v Accessory/Ignition wire, making an aftermarket radio difficult to install and work properly. Many Jeeps and Chevrolet systems have a data signal wire that carries a very low voltage signal that tells the OEM Head Unit when to turn on, however; it is not compatible with aftermarket units. The easiest way to locate an Accessory/Ignition wire is to find a cigarette lighter that turns on when the car does. Get behind the lighter and tap into the positive wire and connect it to your RED Accessory/Ignition wire on your aftermarket wire harness.
Problem: Head Unit Has Power But No Sound
Possible Solution:
- Many cars have built in amplifiers that require a 12v signal to be sent in order to turn on the Amplifier, most common being Bose, Infinity, and JBL. If your car has any of these systems, check your AMP TURNON signal wire for 12v. Blue/White wire located on Head Unite wire harness.
Problem: Installed An Aftermarket Head Unit and Now It Has No Power
Possible Solution:
- First off, check your wiring. If you have a voltage meter or a test light, test the ground (black), constant 12v (yellow), and accessory 12v (red) wires to make see if you have the correct voltage in the correct wires, as well as a good ground. Constant will always be 12v, whether or not your car is on. Accessory will be 12v only when you turn the key to the “ON” position or the car is running. Make sure to use your ground, as well as another ground (like the frame or body of the car) while testing your constant and accessory to test that you have a good ground.
- If you find that one of your power wires or ground wires are not correct, check your vehicle wire diagram and make sure you have the correct corresponding power and ground wires.
- If you do not have power, and you know for a fact your wiring is correct, check the fuses under the dash or under the hood (depending on your vehicle). Easiest way to locate the correct fuse is to look in the Owner’s Manual and find the fuse number and box location. Your manual should indicate which fuse is for the “Accessory”, “Car Stereo”, or something of that sort. After finding the location of the fuse, pull it and make sure that the leads are not corroded and that the fuse has not been broken or popped.
- If your speakers randomly stopped working and you noticed that your amplifier is in protection mode, there are a few reasons why this might have happened.
- Most aftermarket amplifiers have a protection from low and high voltage. If your alternator is producing too much power, it will trigger the amplifier’s protection mode. Vice versa, if your battery is low and the amplifier is not receiving a constant 12v, it will enter protection mode.
- Amplifiers will also enter protection mode if there is a short somewhere. If you have a signal RCA wire that is shorting out, this could be your problem so check to see if your RCAs are in-tact and not shorted. Also, if one of the output channels are shorted out, or you have a blown speaker, many aftermarket amplifiers will enter protection mode. Disconnect all output channels and see if it will return to normal operation.
Problem: Alternator Wine
Possible Solution:
If you hear a wining noise that fluctuates with the RPMs of your vehicle, and lessens when the car engine is turned off, you are dealing with Alternator Wine. Alternator Wine is cause by having a bad ground to either your head unit or your speakers’ amplifier. Check your ground wires and find a better place to ground them, e.g. the frame or body of the car.
If you are experiencing headlight dimming when you have your radio turned up with aftermarket amplifiers and subwoofers, your stereo is pulling too much power for the alternator to keep up. There are a few solutions to this problem:
- Wire in a Capacitor. Although curing headlight dim is far down on the list for a Capacitor’s use, a capacitor might be the solution to your problem. A capacitor is made to curve the spikes in power from the battery to the Amplifier, to create consistent 12v power. Adding a capacitor with the correct farad, in some cases, will curve your amplifier power drawing spikes enough to limit headlight dim. The rule of thumb farad – wattage conversion is 1 farad to every 1000 watts.
- Upgrade the Alternator. Sometimes OEM alternators don’t generate enough power for your upgraded stereo. Upgrading the alternator to one that can produce enough power to handle your upgraded amplifiers/stereo will solve your headlight dim.
- Get a Bigger/Better Battery: Sometimes old/cheap batteries can be one of the sources in your headlight dim issue. Replace your battery to a newer, bigger batter to handle more power and load. Although this might not fix the problem it might help.
- Add an Auxiliary Battery: Wire in a completely separate battery to power just your stereo. This will lessen the load on your engine battery and sometimes will fix your headlight dim.
Problem: Installed a Car Stereo, Now Radio Doesn't Have Signal
Possible Solution:
If you installed a new head unit in your car, and you're now noticing that your car's radio has an abnormal amount of static, you may have wired the unit incorrectly. Here's what you should look for:
- Pull out the new car stereo to gain access to the wires again. Look for a blue wire on the aftermarket head unit and ensure that it's connected to a corresponding wire within your vehicle's wire harness. The Blue or Blue/White wire on your aftermarket head unit is what powers a powered antenna. Without the power, your vehicle's antenna is significantly less powerful and will result in static.
Problem: Car Headlights Flicker When Music Is Turned Up Loud
Possible Solution:
If you recently installed a stereo with an amplifier(s) and subwoofers, your alternator and battery may not be powerful enough to handle the additional power that's being pulled when your stereo is turned to high volumes.
- Check your battery – is your battery fresh? Have one of your local auto stores like O'Reilly Auto Parts do a load test on it. Your battery may be on its way out.
- Compare the output of your alternator with the power demands of the stereo or components that you added to your car. You may need an upgraded alternator.
- Get a capacitor – capacitors store battery to curve the power demand spikes on your battery and alternator. This can help tremendously but requires you to buy and wire in an additional component to your system.
Don't see your issue on this list? Take a look at our Car Amplifier Troubleshooting Guide to see if we can answer your car issues! And be sure to check out CarAudioNow's lists of Best Car Speakers, Best In-Dash Car Stereos, Best Car Amplifiers, Best Car Subwoofers and more!
I bought a Jensen in dash gps unit and a back up camera to go with it. I had a professional install. 9 hours later, the installer tells me there is a problem with the equipment. The back up camera is wired, and there is display when the key is in accessory mode, but as soon as I turn the car on, it says “no signal”. The car is a manual and yes it is in reverse, I am just trying to figure what I need to do to try and get it fixed. The installer says there is something wrong with the stereo unit. Anyone heard of this?
I think I have a loose wire and i had asked my uncle to fix my system and he redid the system but I still think I have a loose wire or it may be something else but out of nowhere the one of the back speackers will stop playing music or there will be no bass out of nowhere and then after a while the speacker reconnects and you hear the speacker again or the bass comes back. Any advise? Thank you.
I just had a alpine stereo hooked up in my car. I program all my stations and set the clock but every time i start the car everything is gone please help…
Hoping someone can help me. I bought an after market car stereo to put in my daughters 1997 plymouth breeze. we removed the factory installed radio and connected everything to the new stereo and it worked beautifully. we then unhooked the new stereo to get ready to mount everything and put butt connectors or caps on the wires and now it won’t come on. We unhooked everything, try another brand new stereo the same way and nothing. We unhooked that and put the factory stereo back in and nothing. We checked all the fuses and everything there is good so i have no idea what to do next. please help! any ideas are truly appreciated.
My radio produces sound with a CD but not on my fm or am there’s no static or anything
I have a 2004 Hyundai Elantra, with an after market sound system that is Tuner/CD player/AUX capable. The CD player and AUX cords work great – however, the Tuner does not. When I press the button for Tuner – there is no sound – not even radio static. The different channels show up on the display like they should, but the audio is just not there. I can’t tell if it’s an issue with the wiring or if the antenna is damaged.
omg so i have a 1997 saturn SL2. i got an after market stereo from walmart and the wire harnes package. so the problem is the ignitino orange wire off the car has no wire on the new stereo to connect to! like there is 12 wires on the car and 11 off the new stereo. i have no idea what to do when i touched it to the power wire it makes a weird current noise. other than that the new stereo will not turn on at all. please send me any ideas or any web sites to look at. thanks andyichawks@hotmail.com
i have an aftermarket deck in my 2010 honda civic. after an oil change i was told i needed some type of switch for the oil life indicator to reset. never got the switch instead waited until my next oil change in which i took it to honda dealership and was told my aftermarket install is the reason the indicator will not reset. is there possibly a wire that wasnt properly connected? what can i do to reset this?
Hi i just purchased a pyle pldnb78i double din i wired everything right and my screen pops on sometimes. But most the times just stay black ihave sound and radio plays but screen want turn on. What could that be??????!
I had a me wood deck in my 1990 Toyota I have my Speakers and a 10′ sub and they were all lound and sounded great. When I put in my new deck if I turn the volume up at all there’s only fait noise and a lot of cutting out but the sub still hits. Very confused!!!
My navara nissan 2006 king cab the radio on/off from enter push button is not working but for display , contrasts, the enter push button is working
Hello! I have an Audi A4 B6 with sound system BOSE mounted by me and an aftermarket HU-Clarion. My prolem is that the speakers are making a boom when i change de melody or chenge from cd to radio or turn on/of the HU. I tried tu change the HU, but the problem persist. I tried to change the amplifier and the problem is steel there. It can be a problem with signal wires? These aren’t shielded like an OEM electrical harness, i just roteted between the… The ground is ok, i used the power cables from the older amplifier(OEM with rear amplified).
Do you have any sugestions or solutions?
Many thanks in advance!
Kind regards!
I have a 1993 Subaru Impreza with original Speakers and original Kenwood subaru cassette FKR-X55 stereo (dont know if that helps) . It works like powers on it shows the clock and the buttons work but it wont play any radio stations even though it picks up the channels when automatically searching or when you put in a cassette it will eject it 5 seconds later aswell as its Kenwood Cd changer , so i dunno it might be just a lost cause and need a new one or if one of the wires are wrong some how or its not getting its full 12volts or what ever it takes , reply as soon as you can it will help alot .
Cheers!
have a 2001 Yukon had my system working till alternator went out put new alternator but system cut out and know just makes a noise but don’t connect we rewire everything and still nothing what could it be
I have a 2006 Toyota Highlander. On 15-18 occasions now, when I was driving, a VERY loud pop / bang noise came from the car and all speakers stopped working. Sometimes they start working again right away and sometimes they start working in a day or so. While the speakers stop working and I can’t use the radio or CD, the voice from the navigation system continues to work fine. It seemed like this issue was happening more in the summer than now. What do you think it could be?
I have recently bought a Clarion cd,tape and radio all in one. The model is PP-2371H and it doesn’t seem to need a code, the Cd plays for example.. But there is no sound coming from the speaker(s) – as it is second hand, if someone overloaded it, what would be ‘broken’ on the circuit board? one or two components? or something more? i measured 0.07V coming out to the speakers which seems too low(?) Any ideas how to fix it?is there fuse somewhere to prevent speakers from drawing too much current?
I have a ’99 Durango, I installed a Sony MEX-N5100BT deck and used a CWH64A wiring harness along with an Axxess ASWC-1 controller for the hands free. Sound is good out of my stereo, but I have to have it turned up to 50 (max) to hear it with a decent volume. Are the pre-outs as loud as using the wires on pigtail of the radio? I have the amp wire connected, and I verified the amp connection.
I have a 2003 kingranch and aftermarketsterio when I turn up sterio it cuts outabouthalf aT then I have to reset deck or shut truck off and turn back on then I have base again when it cuts out just looses base but highs still work gas jobby f150king ranch
How to install just a car stereo and amp if car has no wires,but have batterie,do I need a converter box or fuse box to go off the battery
I have a 91 ford ranger and I installed a pioneer radio when I turn on the head lights the radio goes on and off as well as if the radio has sound it goes on and off only when the lights are on please help
I have an 88 ford ranger that i recently hooked up a dual 1228(i think thats the right number), the blue lighting on the buttons come on, so its got power to it, but the clock numbers dont show up and i have no sound coming out. Please help.
I have a chrysler crossfire 2006, and tried putting on a pioneer stereo but no sound come out, help?
hi i have a dodge nitro 08 model i tried to install a new audio unit and it didnt work so i fort ill do it after anyways i went to put back the old audio unit but now it just wont work but ive checked all the wiring everything’s good
pls help thank you
I Have bought Maruti’s new Baleno Hatchback, i found a problem with Music system. Problem is that when i play music and put headlights on the Music system gets hanged. No button works at that time. if I off the headlights its again works properly.
please let me know if any one have any idea.
I bought a Chevy Equinox LS 2012 model my radio is the old type I mean is not the screen touch type but my proble is the woofer is not working I have checked and realized there is no feed comng to the woofe.
Please help me
I recently installed a aftermarket radio in my 2000 Xtera and the speakers pop and distort when someone says an ‘s’ or ‘p’ word. It also does this during music playback when playing higher notes. What can I do to correct this problem?
After installing new speakers in my FJ Cruiser the radio would suddenly turn off once in a while, usually after hitting a bump in the road.
My radio is a Kenwood KDC-X72. I’ve checked the wires with a volt meter and I shook the wires to see if the power would go off, but it read 12 volts continuously. I had the test lead connected to the wiring harness plug, so I think the problem must be with wiring harness plug on the radio.
Could it be that harness plug isn’t making a good connection with pins on the radio? Has anyone ever had to replace a wiring harness plug because the pins in the plug no longer makes a perfect connection?
Hooked up a new 7″ head unit and screen in my truck and it only displays the “ouku” logo.
Touch screen has nothing except logo and doesn’t
Respond to touch.will not play cd’s or dvd some remote control functions work,scan volume, power, brightness, It will play radio but cannot see
Station or menu or anything, if I leave it on it will goto a moving around DVD LOGO. ??????
Installed a new unit in my 2006 Silverado. I am positive I connected wrong first try and blew the fuse. I have gone back and verified correct wiring and still don’t have power. Tried going back to original unit and still no power. Is there a secondary fuse or in line fuse somewhere other than the fuse block?
I have a 2010 Chevy HHR with the original radio/speakers. The problem is that I have the treble speakers working but the bass do not. When the warning dings come on (like telling me the key is in the ignition or door ajar) I have full stereo all speakers working. When no dings then no radio. Where do I start looking for the problem. I tried a Big Box store and their guy said since factory radio then need to go to the dealer.
I HAVE A 2000 VW PASSAT 1.8L GLX ATW ….
I HOOKED UP AFTERMARKET DECK AND REPLACED ALL 4 SPEAKERS.
LEFT FRONT,RIGHT FRONT , AND RIGHT REAR ALL WORKED LIKE A CHARM .. EASY .
tHE LEFT REAR FOR SOME REASON WILL NOT DO ANYTHING !
WINDOWS WORK IN THE DOOR ,, POWER LOCKS WORK IN THE DOOR… SPEAKER DOESN’T…
SAYS THERES POWER GOING TO THE FOUR WIRES YET IT REFUSES TO GET ANY SORT OF POWER THREW THE SPEAKER.
ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEA WTF IS GOING ON HERE?
I just bought a double DIN that I’m trying to hook up in my 2005 Maxima fc and I’m wondering where would I put this double DIN at and if I were to put it where the screen is already at in my 2005 Maxima SE then it would mess up I couldn’t check out on my settings like my maintenance, settings, trip Services. What im askingbis what would i use and how andbwhere would i use it in my maxima? if you would please let me know what I need to buy and what I need to use to hook us up this double run stereo in my car?thank you!!!!
I have a 2002 Passat. After fitting an after market stereo, which allows a reverse camera to be connected, (although I have no camera connected), when I turn on my side lights or head lights, the stereo goes into reversing mode, and shows a blank screen and stops all music. Basically, my lights send a signal that I am reversing, and that a camera is connected. How can I stop this signal from reaching my stereo?
I have a double din for my 06 rendezvous and hooked the wire harness up correctly, comes on and plays movie and all but I have no sound?!?
Hi, please post your questions at forums.caraudionow.com and we will reply!
Car battery died after installing new battery, infinity radio in my 2005 crossfire does not have sound, CD changes tracks, radio changes stations all displays working, balance display changes all functions except tone has ?? displayed. also changed out all 3 radio fuses,
Hi, please post all questions on our new forum: forums.caraudionow.com
I have a 00 monte carlo I installed a aftermarket stereo and I spliced all the wires correctly to my knowledge, even looked up the stereo wireing diagrame NO POWER what so ever to the head unit. I unhooked the battery and looked the wires over again and again.then hooked battery back up and still nothing. I began to doubt myself there are so many wires from the old STEREO To the NEW. The diagrame says the orAnge wire is 12 v battery and I had test light and checked every wire and none of them have power go ing to them.if someone could plz help me.
so today i installed my stereo. Got it working and hooked it up to my tweeters and 6 by 9 speakers as well. Heard a crackling noise coming from the speakers, so i instantly knew it was a connection error. Took the HU out and corrected the noise and when i went to put my HU back in a blue wire with a red stripe touched my ground wire. Radio hasnt worked since that happend. I dont have a voltometer at the moment and have trouble shot everthing i could think of. My vehicle is a 92 dodge b250 5.2 L
I have 2005 nissan sentra and i bought a slide-out screen it was working perfect but all now it keeps going off then it comes back on,it does that quit often,i dont want to get rid of the radio if i can figure out the problem
I am having TROUBLE trying to get this aftermarket CD player in my 98 Mitsubishi Montero Sport SL. I bought the wiring harness but the factory harness has one more wire than it does. It is black with yellow stripe. All works but the audio. Help plzz!
I installed a Sony stereo in my outlander 2003 ,I have power but no sound ,do I need something else ?
I have a 1995 GMC Sonoma that I just installed a JVC aftermarket CD player in and after it was installed the dash lights stay on on which wasn’t on before they only came on when I turn the headlights on but now they stay on all the time and my battery is dying what could be the cause of this
I installed new Sony stereo , every thing works but the sound ,all the wires are good connected also we tried if we can use the headphone and we no had any sound either so is not wire or speakers problem..
I have the same issue. What was the solution?
I am having the same problem did you find out what was causing your problem I have already or works but no sound coming out of my Kicker box
I have a 2004 chevy venture LS with a built in DVD player on the center top. I switched my factory stereo to aftermarket stereo, everything works fine expect the DVD player didn’t work.. i noticed that my factory stereo has a 2 wire harness? What solution will i make for my built in DVD player to work?
I have a 2006 Toyota Hilux Dual Cab Ute 4 Cyl Petrol motor -stock standard – I hear the radio clearly but with crackling – rev the motor and the crackling stays at the same level – are you able to help as to a solution
I have an 89 f150 and the original stereo system produced a very low volume which I could not control. So i got new speakers and the same situation occurred.So I hooked up an alpine 7949 and everything worked on it except it had no sound. The speakers are getting power because i can hear them when the unit turns on and off, but no sound.
I have a 99 Chevy Blazer that had the factory am-fm cassette player. I recently purchased the OEM am-fm stereo with CD player and had it installed. The stereo plays beautifully and the clock works but when I put a CD in, the ERR comes on and rejects the CD. I checked the original car manual; it said that it could be the CD was dirty or scratched or it was too hot but I live in Arizona. Does that mean I can’t use my CD 6 months out of the year because of the heat?
Two days ago I put in a single din stereo in my van and it worked great. The next day it had no power, someone told me to pull out the bcm fuse and put it back in and that fixed it. This is not a very expensive or powerful system. So last night it did it again, so for the time being it is working. I pulled it out and went threw the wires and interior fuse connected to the unit and it is fine. I don’t want this tearing up my van and I can’t have it just going out all of the time. Is it just a bad unit or am I missing something?
Thanks.
02 dodge 1500 yellow wire from dash to radio only shows to have 6 volts so aftermarket radio won’t power up.but…when I turn headlights on the truck on radio comes on and works .whats the problem can only use radio when lights are on at this point
Have a 2003 Ford Taurus the radio would work when in ACC but when its time to start it actually stops. It has power sometimes but never no sound or anything. Any help
I recently installed a Pioneer AVH-4800BS and it worked great on the first week but now for about 5 minutes after I start my car, it keeps uncontrollably changing the input. When I change it back to what I want it just keeps changing. After about 4-5 minutes on the road it quits and works normally. Tried to see if the remote was a problem so we took out the remote battery but it still happens. Had a friend install it for me but if anyone has suggestions on how to fix it would be much appreciated!
Also my car is a 2007 Pontiac G6 Sedan.
i connected an aftermarket stereo, and my rear speakers wont work. i have a dodge caravan 2005
I have a 1997 Monte Carlo. I recently installed my front door speakers but when I took the old ones out, they were melted. So when I installed the new ones in, nothing happened. Do I need new wire harness?
i have woodman car stereo and yesterday i press CVBS button option and my car stereo voice is mute and still there is mute can anybody suggest me what should i do to back my AUDIO VOICE OUT PUT , I have double din tape video out put. suggest me soulution
I’m trying to mount a single din deck with a 7″ flip up screen in the dash of my motor home. Everything went fine except for mounting it inside the dash. The factory mount is actually a 5mm flat piece of plastic with a wood grain pattern overlay. There is nothing on the sides or behind to help stabilize the deck. The factory deck was a generic cassette player that hardly weighed anything. I know about the various mounting kits available but have yet to find anything that will help me. Does anybody have any ideas on what I should do? I’d appreciate it. Thanks
i have a 2000 Honda Civic hatchback with cde-w265bt head unit, and a Punch 301m amp powering two 12″ @ 1ohm. before i installed the system the brightness of all lights in the car would fluctuate, the lights still fluctuate but sometimes i need to turn on my blower fan (add more load to the electrical system) or turn off the engine and use only the battery for my subs to work (the light on the amp stays on). I am going to assume there is a problem with my alternator but i would like a more detailed reason as to why this happens as in is my alternator out putting too much power so my amp is shutting off. thanx info is greatly appreciated
first off your amp is only 2ohm stable and 300 watts at best @ 2 ohm…
Hi I recently bought a double din for a VW Polo 6, after about 6 months my screen becomes white with no sound while playing music and that sometimes happens when I hit a speed hump. I tried to reset it, but nothing happens. I have to wait for a few hours or a day for it to be normal again. Is really stressing.
i have a deck and a sub but when i put the deck in it works fine. but as soon as i plug the rca,s in and slide the deck back in the dorr speakers will cut in and out as soon as the deck hits a piece of metal in the slot it goes it starts cutting in and out
did you fix this problem yet? i have a similar issue but now my stereo doesn’t work anymore, i even replaced the stereo and still nothing.
I have a 2002 impala ls. I attempted to put an aftermarket radio in but it wasn’t working right. Finally I got it working then it randomly started losing power and shutting off. Then it would turn back on by itself. I thought maybe the radio was bad so I put factory radio back in. It does the same thing. I can be driving down the road and it just shuts off then turns back on. Sometimes it can be for a second or two and other times it can take almost a minute to turn back on. Also sometimes it’ll stay on for a while then do it again. And other times it will just keep turning on and off on and off repeatedly. The clock resets pretty much every time yet it seems to save my presets. I took it in to a shop and they insisted it was the module I bought with the aftermarket radio. But I disagree because it was doing it for a while before installing that specific module. I originally tried a relocation harness before switching back to stock. Now mind you, all factory plugs are still intact. I never cut them. Anyway, I’m really frustrated with this and would like some assistance if possible. This is the first car I’ve ever had this much trouble with while installing a radio. Thanks in advance.
i have a 1996 suburban that has lost sound to all speakers one at a time now only the passenger side has very low tinny sound and static if i power off the radio and power it back on i get better volume for about ten seconds and then it fades back down. this car had the cdm under the dash which i swapped out yesterday with a unit i grabbed at the junkyard and there was no change in sound. I’m thinking its the head unit that is giving me the trouble . any thoughts also if i leave the power on and turn the car off wait a few minutes and turn the ignition back on all speakers will come on loud then just fade away in ten to twenty seconds with only the passenger front speaker giving some very low sound
hi there, I have a problem with my rear speakers connected to my amp it goes out when I press on my hooter bt my subwoofer stays on. I’m having a 4 channel amp connected to 2 rear speakers and 1 subwoofer each one is running on its own channel, the rear speakers on channels 1 and 2, and the subwoofer is split on channels 3 and 4. when my I press my hooter channels 1 and 2 goes out and 3 and 4 stays on. Then I have to switch my stereo off for 10 secs and on again and everything plays normal it happens all the time when I press on my hooter even if I press it for 1 sec. please help me.
regards
Bradley
Lincoln,
Hi there,
I installed a new alpine h/u and it work fined but for some reason now it’s blowing my fuse located on my yellow wire on the h/u power harness.
I unplug everything that I think could be causing a short (when the harness is not plug into the h/u the fuse don’t blow) but even with the keys in the off position, the minute I try plug in the harness into the h/u “BOOM” the fuse on the yellow wire blows.
Anyone with any suggestion on how to troubleshoot and prevent this from happening?????????
Did you replace the factory head unit with the Alpine or was there another aftermarket previous to the Alpine? If you replaced the factory radio did you use also a harness that plugs into the harness you unplugged from the OEM radio to facilitate the installation of the Alpine? You didn’t mention what year, make, model you had or any of the parts you used so there is little anyone can help you with without that information. Sounds like you either have the wrong harness because the yellow wire is constant B and it sounds like it is grounding out and blowing the fuse.
So I’m having a problem where the display to my stereo is on but no sound. The stereo and speakers are both factory.
I just installed a Kenwood double DIN into my 04 Trailblazer using the recommended wiring harness and now I can’t get my rear seat DVD player to come through the speakers. Any ideas?
Try unplugging the power outlets connected to the same fuse. I was having the same problem and that fixed it for me
Just installed a Jensen 7022 which works fine….. except my power antenna goes up when the HU is turned on to ANY output. Blue to blue… what’s wrong?
My Aunt’s Kenmore radio faceplate has been spotty for a while, if you try to adjust the volume it would either work, do nothing, do the opposite of what you want or restart the whole thing. The same thing happens if you push anything on the actual face plate, sometimes it works, sometimes it does nothing or it just reboots the whole thing. Apparently one of the remotes still was able to control it, but I was unable to locate that and had to manually turn off the unit because I couldn’t turn the volume down. I pushed it once and it restarted, so I pushed it again and held the button until it shut down. Now it won’t start again or respond to any of the remotes, before I have to pay to replace something that wasn’t even working correctly to begin with (and hasn’t for years), what are the possible causes for this to occur.
Sorry Kenwood not Kenmore
i have a pioneer radio everything works ecept the stations .. stations do not play at all ,but i can play cd bluetooth and make or receip call ,,what i have noticed is that a red light used to be on when car was on now is off at all the time
please i would really appreciate if anyone helps me.
Hi there,
Appreciate your help here. I have a an old nissan micra. The radio is old as the car. A few weeks ago all of a sudden the radio started to make a beep sound and lose the radio connection. Sometimes if I switch it off and on again, the radio broadcast again but sometimes it is not.
It also changes the station by itself always to a group of them.
Is the radio that is gone or is the antenna that needs replacement.
How do I know?
Thanks for your help here
HI, we just purchased a 2013 Mercedes Smart Fortwo vehicle. The previous owner said his grandson ran the battery completely dead and when he got it charged the radio said “radio blocked” please contact dealer. Dealers just want you to bring the car in for service. After being on line and doing research I have discovered there is not a SIM card in the stereo. Can you tell me where to purchase a SIM card for the smart car?
I replaced my radio in my 2003 nissan sentra ser spec v and now the speakers sound bad
Just changed the battery on my Hyundai Elon truck touring and now the Radio does not work fuses are fine can’t seem to find the problem
Just check for the fuses near the battery and the ones down on the RHS of the steering. If the appropriate amp fuse is not given, they may be blown. If no fuse is blown, then remove all the fuses and reconnect them. This should do the trick. I got my problem solved by this technique.
I installed woofer and tweeters in the doors of my 2006 toyota corolla and used an Pioneer amp to power them. Once I hooked the system up I have alternator noise and a constant buzzing coming from all the speakers. I have it grounded to the car frame around the window where I scraped the paint off and then drilled a hole and screwed the grounding wire in. The amp is under the drivers seat of the car and I installed new speaker wires so that the sound quality and power would be better. Any advice on how to get rid of the alternator noise and constant buzzing?
The Corolla engines do not possess a large alternator. Even though you have an amplifier it does not change the amount of power that the alternator puts out. The wind is from the alternator being overloaded. An alternator with larger coils or a bigger rating will not whine like yours is. I suggest getting a larger powered alternator.
I have a 2010 Chevy Colorado and i bought a touch screen pioneer believe its a double din one but sometimes my truck would randomly lose power while i was driving it and i would slowly start to slow down and then it would just pick back up power like nothing happen and my headlights would randomly go out i thought might just be a theft problem because that light would come on but if anybody could help me figure out why it does this be very helpful all i know that its an AVH-200BT Double DIn DVD A/v Receiver i believe what it is
I can see why it would be important to read why the head unit might not have sound. It seems like it would be pretty frustrating if you couldn’t find the reason why it wasn’t working. Perhaps it would be good to ask someone who has done it if you aren’t sure on what to do next. Another solution would be to watch videos about it.
Hi Joe, I have similar issue with my factory stereo in a Landcruiser. ( problem….Start car,turn radio on and sometimes no sound but minutes later normal reception comes on. Then sometimes it works as normal,but issue seems to be happening more frequently…..any ideas ?
Cheers Paul
2000 GMC Safari factory radio, there is loud volume where there is no station just static. A strong local station 104.1 for instance is dead silent however at 104.3 it is loud and static but I can listen to 104.1?? I have checked antenna connection and it appears to be good, I can listen to am stations and when I disconnect antenna it goes out.
Any ideas?
So i have a 95 Nissan pathfinder, and an aftermarket boss stereo installed. It works great except theaters doesn’t light up like Iits supposed to.
Sometimes when I disconnect the antenna cord thing. (The cord that has a metal thing on it, supposed to be a ten thing or something) it starts working again. But then when I turn my car off and then back on when I get into it, it stops lighting up again.
I don’t know what’s wrong. All the wires are connected properly. What’s wrong and what can I do?
I installed a double din head unit in my 15 dodge dart several months ago, and it was loud clean etc then all of a sudden it went to distortion what could cause this ….???
I just bought a used 1998 Ford exposition.
And the car drives great. But the radio doest work!!!
I back tracked to all the fuses under the dash and in the Good, but the fuses checked out!!!
Anyone have any suggestions?
I have a Mercury mountaineer. I had transmission work done about a year ago. The radio plays (only one station) because the display screen does not come up so I can change stations.
Ok so this might seem a little long but I’m having some issues with my speakers or my head unit in my car, I’m not sure which one. I’ve had subs for like 2 and a half year. I bought my head unit around that time too. I put in new door speakers last summer. Recently my speakers slowly start getting quiet, and then they just stop working all together. I can only play one or two songs if I’m lucky. I don’t know if it’s the speakers drawing too much power, which idk why they would or if it’s my head unit getting to hot and maybe it has some sort of protection that shuts my speakers down. Any ideas? Anyone ever had similar issues? I was going to just order a new head unit, but I’m hoping it’s a less expensive fix. It was about $275, I had to alter the plastic around where my old radio was in order for this one to fit, so I’d have to order the same one or close to it.
I have a crimefighter touch screen stereo and was working fime up untill today. Every time i turn it on it just goes straight to the camera and wont change or it will turn on with a thud through the speakers then static then switch off and do it all over again.
Can you please help me i am stuck with what to do
I have a 2011 Nissan Altima. I installed a 2-Din JVC radio. I noticed that sometimes when my headlights come on, the speakers shut off. I turn the radio off and off; and the speakers work like normal. I’ve taken the radio out to make sure all my wires are connected correctly and they are. I did connect the orange/white wire to the orange wire to help the radio dim when my headlights come on. After this started to happen to my speakers, I disconnected both wires. Yet the same thing still happens. Not sure why.
I have 2001 grand am..when stereos on lights I, car randomly come on, stereo only works when headlights are on, and the power locks are sketchy about working, and don’t touch radio after you are in park it won’t start again
I have a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Larado and I purchased a single din Dvd player. My problem is where the deck goes right above it is a over hanging part of the dash, I need my deck to come out about 3 inches. Do you know of any kits or ideas on how I can do this?
A very nice write-up, thanks for that. I have a different issue though, if anyone has encountered this I would appreciate any tips. I’ve fitter a 5ch amp in my bmw e60 and I have wired 2 speakers (rear ones) and one subwoofer (in the boot). If I turn the gain for the rear speakers all the way down on the amp, my car stereo goes into protection, I have to unplug everything and plug it back to get it working again. If I turn the gain up… it doesn’t do it anymore but the speakers aren’t that powerful and so I need the gain lowered. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Dan
Ok so I installed a Dual radio in my 02 jeep grand Cherokee and I bought the right wiring harness and matched all the colors but only my rear speakers work.the front speaker worked then I hook up an dual subwoofer to the remote wire and I have no front speakers.
Just installed an aftermarket ken wood deck, in a 2005 Sunfire. I know the back speaker wiring is shorting somewhere as I’m getting intermittent signals. However since installing this new head unit, I’m only getting sound from the front left door. ‘Automatically I unplugged the kenwood head unit and re connected the factory one, and both speakers began to work again. I’ve check fade and balance everything is middled. What can be causing this issue?
Question I have a JVC kw-v420bt and the system has been working fine, this morning I started up my vehicle and no sound was coming out of the speakers. About 10 minutes into my commute to work, it started playing around again. It delays sound 5-10 minutes after starting up and I have no clue what this could be.. any ideas?
Also, it’s installed in a truck I just bought last weekend.
If your camera power wire is wired to the vehicle’s constant power it may be running 24/7 causing it to slowly drain the battery.
I put a new radio in my 97 yukon and it takes and ejects cds but wont play and the face isn’t working doesn’t light up or show anything
I have a 2008 Silverado, oem speakers have been replaced, and I’ve had no trouble from any of them. about 2 weeks ago I noticed my music didn’t sound right. front speakers are fine, deck is operating normally, however the fader option in my audio menu is completely gone. I listened to the rears and they are still thumping, but there are no vocals coming through, I even replaced them today, but still nothing. does anyone have an idea of what could be causing this mess??
Two things; I have installed Kenwood DDX5016DAB in my car. After installing, the radio is working fine, but there is some background noice. How to fix?
The bluetooth connection to mobile phone is in and out and on the unit it differents between phone and audio playback. Connecting to one but not the other. Example. Phone is connected, but the audio playback is not possible, because the choise ON is disabeld. What to do?
I have not found any solution in the manual.
I have a 2003 Civic. Bought it brand new and had an aftermarket system installed shortly after I purchased the car. Currently have a Pioneer head unit. Boston Acoustic front and rear speakers, 10 inch sub, and a 4 channel amp. Speakers and amp are originally bought in 2003. My issue is the amplified audio from my speakers cuts off and on randomly. Stays mainly off. It is the front and back speakers. When they cut off the only thing on and working is unamplified sub. The transition from on to off, and back on when it happens, is quick and crisp. Almost like a switch! Very clean transition. The head unit was replaced a few months before this started to happen. Any advice would be appreciated!
Run speaker wires directly to your amplifier. Some cars have a speaker distribution box that has a small capacitor connected to either the positive or negative side of each speaker wire! This prevents (factory) speaker overload when you crank the radio up too high. I know this is going to be a pain in the ass but, you must take every panel off and run the NEW speaker wires (you can get either 16 or 18 gauge wires for 6X9 speakers, and 12 gauge speaker wire for the sub-woofer(s))! You changed-out your head unit, you now must also change out your speaker wiring and connect it directly to the 4 chan. amplifier, and the other amp to your sub-woofer(s), separately but run from same head unit’s RCA jacks as audio signalling!
Hi, I have a Ford Escape 2001. When I press the eject button on both the cd or cassette the display light turns on. The it turns off.. I does not give me any sound. It takes the CD and ejects the CD. The radio am/fm does not work. Any suggestions?
Is also warning lights coming on now and again also a symptom of bad current on a vw polo?Thanks
Hello I have a 1931 ford with a 6volt positive ground I have installed a independent 12volt am fm CD player in my car and it works exhalent till istart the moter then the speakers go in and out I’m not loseing power just sound again this is compleatly in dependent from the car can Simone please tell me what to do .
I have a 2004 infiniti i-35. I installed my pioneer radio about 2 months ago and everything worked perfect… Bluetooth connection, radio, aux, etc. Then I get in my car today and my phone connects to my radio but will not play sound (Samsung Galaxy Emerge) even connected Bluetooth to another phone (iPhone 6s). I had just been playing music 5 minutes before then I got out of my car and came back then no sound. I tried to play the radio and the sound works fine! I’m really confused and I dont know what’s wrong!!??
When I purched my dual dcbt304u deck I had to pay $$$$ to have installed as my data harness was cut so had to get it alll rewired worked great for 6months then my volume nob went so now I can’t switch volumes ect I have to Bluetooth my phone to the deck and use my volume on phone to get it to work now with that being said only my back speakers will work n with cd all four will why?
I just installed a Kenwood DDX374bt head unit in my 2014 Nissan Frontier SV and now when I put it in reverse I hear a loud steady beep. I’m waiting on harness to arrive that allows me to use factory backup camera with aftermarket stereo. Did I miss something? Thank you
I have just fitted s double din radio to my car that has a reverse camera setting, I have not fitted a reverse camera to it as it isn’t nescaserry … radio works fine when stationary, but asoon as you pull off, radio screen goes blank and says reverse…. any solutions for this please!
I have a 2003 chevy trailblazer luxury addition with on star. I’m trying to hook up aftermarket radio and subs, but can not get it to work. Do I need something special to make it work since I have the on star and controls on my steering wheel? Radio won’t even power on or have any sound. I thought maybe it was the radio, but I tried my factory and it turns on but no sound now too. Everything works perfect before I tried to hook up my aftermarket.
Xdm260
Powers on plays radio. Lights on buttons work and buttons work BUT display screen doesn’t light up….HELP please…?
Hook orange illumination wire to ignition
I have a Sony WX-GT908T in my 2002 Toyota Camry. It has worked great since we bought the car until a month or so ago. When we listen to the radio, everything is fine and it sounds good. But when we try to listen to CDs or MP3s through the auxiliary port or the USB port, it starts to sound like a scratched CD (some kind of skipping). Any ideas what is causing this and how it can be fixed? Thanks for any help you can offer.
I put in a amp and sub in my jeep worked for a week turned it on one day and sub wouldn’t work have good power,remote,and ground changed amp know that isn’t it
Hello
Just bought an Opel Insignia -11 with a AC83xx (corex4) unit replacing the original one.
The issue i have is that the former owner changed the language to Portuguese b4 switching headunit.
This results in me having the OnBoardComputer not changing language while changing it on the AC83xx (corex4).
I don’t have the original headunit so i can’t just put it in real quick to change the language and then replace it with the new one.
I turned in the car to Opel but they weren’t able to help me since the original headunit isn’t in the car, and they had no ide how to fix it without it.
Any suggestions?
Regards, Robin
I have my pioneer after market radio installed and it works great while the car is on but once you turn it over in idling mode the radio turns off, does the same thing if I turn my car lights on as well…. What could be the issue here?
I have a 2000 Grand AM GT. Is has the mono factory stereo, I also have a 2004 Grand AM GT that has the Monsoon stereo in it. Can I switch out my factory Mono stereo with the Monsoon. I know the monsoon amp has way to many wires to switch with my factory mono amp but can I just switch the deck.
no power to my new radio in my 1988 Volvo 240 DL, splicing the coded wires to a new wiring harness I receive nothing but warning beeps when the ignition key is on, no power to the radio, my system only has 3 speakers,
I’m having a problem with the CD player in my 2005 Hyundai Getz (don’t get too jealous :D). The sound intermittently drops out of the right channel. this doesn’t seem to affect the radio only the CD player. if I turn the power off then back on the right channel functions again.
Any suggestions as to what the problem might be would be much appreciated 🙂
cheers
In My 1989 Ford ranger xlt. The deck i installed is only powering on when the headlights turn on….not with the ignition do i have a wire hooked up wrong ?
I got a problem with my new radio when I put the yellow and red wires together it works but it don’t turn off when I take the key out but when i put the colors separately they don’t work at all the red is ignition and the yellow is the battery
I installed a new deck into my truck and hooked up the access wire together and battery and ground wire all to the new radio and it was working fine shutting off when I turn the vehicle off and turning on when I started the vehicle but, the next morning when I started my vehicle the radio wouldn’t turn on and wasn’t getting any power. Now I’ve already tried disconnecting the wires and then reconnect them and sometimes it works but then the next day it always doesn’t turn on. Any Ideas?
I have a 2007 Toyota Tacoma. Ive had an aftermarket Kenwood head unit installed on the truck for at least 6 years now. Recently, I was on a road trip towing a trailer with a 4-pin adapter plugged into the tow harness. While traveling, my radio, aux, bluetooth, or cd mode never played any music.My head unit had power and would even beep through the speakers when the source was changed. When I dropped the trailer and unplugged the adapter, music started playing again? Some time went by and this music stopped playing again. This time I wasnt towing. This particular time, I noticed an audible noise, like a white noise coming from the speakers, but no music would ever play in any mode. I simply took the head unit out and unplugged it and it started playing music again. Several weeks later, it happened again. This time I’ve tried everything I can think of and I cant get any music to play. No audible noises from speakers, still beeps from the speakers when I switch modes, still has power.
I have a 2004 crv and just recently had a battery with a dead cell. after i changed the battery I tried re-installing the aftermarket stereo, when i plugged everything in and turned the car over it had a weird clicking startup sound from the dials on the gauges like when the battery had died. I took out the stereo and it still makes the sound and while the car is off i cant lock the car automatically. Does anyone know what i might have done wrong?
My sub in my Lincoln navigator was working jus fine a wire touched n now it sounds funny can you help. My amp turns on but don’t have sound to the speakers is it cus this problem they were working fine just stopped
My sub in my Lincoln navigator was working jus fine a wire touched n now it sounds funny can you help. My amp turns on but don’t have sound to the speakers is it cus this problem they were working fine just stopped
I have a pioneer dvd/cd player in my 08 sequoia and it has steering wheel controls. While driving the unit will all of a sudden increase volume to max. I am wondering if it is a bad steering wheel control adapter. Anyone hear of anything like this?
Hi guys, I need help with my Mitsubishi Lancer 2010. I can hear the radio loud and clear but when I switch to cd/mp3 I can hear the music but very very very low with a scratch sound on back. Does anyone has any clue about what might happen?! Thank you very much.
I have a 97 5.0 all wheel drive Ford Explorer. When I have the stock radio in, music plays loud and clear. But I put in my aftermarket radio and no music will play but I have power to the radio. I put my stock radio back in and it still plays music. Can anyone help and tell me why the music doesn’t play threw the aftermarket radio. I made sure the Fuses were good and a double checked all the wires and made sure they were all hooked together. I don’t know what it is
my radios clock/radio stations want light up
2004 Silverado I need to know what wire is the amp turn on input wire where the old radio
Have a new Ken Wood and Sirius installed in my 1996 Firebird Formula. Worked perfect for six months but now when I turn the ignition off and the power antenna retracts there is a problem. During the last 5 seconds of the retraction there is a very loud noise coming from the speakers. When the antenna is all the way down the noise stops. The radios work great until the power antenna is almost all the way down.
Thank you.
I just installed a brandless android head unit. But when ever i start the car. The unit becomes mute and i must have to reset the unit for it to have sound. And i can’t play music in the background like spotify or other music apps. Please help me fix it or tell me what to do. The reason why i bought it is because i wiuld like to use spotify. But i cant use it because the unit does not allow spotify to draw over other apps. And the most annoying is that i have to reset the unit every time to be able to get sound.
I installed a pioneer avh-1330 in my 2013 ram 1500 with an aftermarket harness that it required and now if I put truck in reverse the stereo turns off once in drive it comes back on. Also if I hit a large bump it will turn off and sometimes does not come back on until I turn truck off and turn truck back on. Sometimes it cuts off just randomly, at first I thought it was because it was too loud but the other day it did it when the volume was lower. Just for clarification the radio powers off and comes back on usually none of the settings are lost. Any idea wtf is going on?
Hi, I installed my aftermarket CD player in my truck, now when I turn my key the truck starts without turning the key all the way……. and sometimes the starter will continue to be ingaged
I have a JVC kw830bt installed in my 2015 passat. I used the PAC rp4-vw11 steering wheel control interface. The radio keeps randomly rebooting. When I first installed it would reboot, 5-10 seconds later reboot again. 5-10 MINUTES later it reboots again and either this time or the 4th time it will display a message saying to pull over, turn the ignition off, turn the ignition back on. All week last week it did not do it a single time. Then today it did it all day. Updated the stereo firmware, double checked all of my wiring. Any ideas?
Did you get your problem solved? we are having the exact same issue on a 940BW installed by a sound shop in a 2008 MB CLK350. Audio dealer is replacing the unit next week.
I replaced my old am fm casett raido in my 1985 f150 have power but no sound the new jvc am fm cd player can you help thanks tim
Hey everyone I have a 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited that has the aftermarket all hooked up but will only play in radio mode but nothing else will play such as Bluetooth aux or Pandora. Any solutions? Am I missing a wire?
I took out the old radio. It was just old and the cd player had a cd jammed in it and wouldn’t release the cd no matter what I tried. Installed the aftermarket kenwood. Checked wiring with test light. All good. Problem. I am getting nothing to my kenwood. I used, Kenwood head unit, dash adapter kit, wiring adapter and antenna adapter. I don’t know if my jeep is equipped with an anti theft device somewhere that kicks on when the old radio is removed. I tried without the aftermarket wiring adapter, got nothing. Then rewired with the wiring adapter, that is suppose to resolve the anti theft problem and still get absolutely nothing. Suggestions. All fuses are good.
I drive a school bus and I’m having problems with my radio music speakers. Everything works fine for about 5 minutes then my speakers start to crackle then squeal. What is causing this?
Installed a kenwood dnx575s and it flickers during the day not at night. What’s the fix?
I had an aftermarket unit installed in MB GLK350. All current features were to remain available with the addition of another interface with touchscreen options allowing for streaming and more bluetooth options. The aux option is no longer showing in the menu options and this is the only way to use the 2nd interface. Not sure of the problem. Any assistance you can provide would be appreciated
I have an after market dual CD player in my 2002 Chevy venture and the ref light blinks that it’s gett power but the face will not turn on at all.
Hello, I installed an aftermarket unit in 2006 f350 with harness. It flashes when plugged in but does not come on? What do I need to check? Thanks.
Hi guys, can any one please tell me why the radio or the cd player on my car mercedes benz not turn on except when I put the car in a reverse!
Thanks
I’m currently installing a pair of subs, amp and line output converter in my sisters car. A 2017 Jeep Cherokee latitude. I wired in the JL Audio LOC at the head unit tapping into the speakers and 12 v. When I got the head unit plugged in it won’t turn on. Like it has no power. So I untapped it and still doesn’t work. I didn’t splice any wires or disconnect anything at all in this install but the factory head unit still won’t work and I’m perplexed
My Bluetooth radio in my car comes on loud after you turn the car off and turn it back on
My didplsy lights on aftermarket stereo in my kia cerato not working
Hi I have a 1998 subaru impreza and have a problem with a new stereo. I have plugged everything in and the stereo seems to have power as it loads and ejects CDs but then the power will go off. Also I can press the display button and it briefly tells me the time then goes off after 30 seconds? I have pressed every button on the stereo but nothing works other than the display button or loading/unloading discs? Its definitely not the stereo itself as I’ve tried 3 stereos of different makes as they all have roughly the same problem? Help please
SO I JUST BOUGHT A Pioneer Double DIN CD USB Aux Car Stereo Receiver Built-in Bluetooth TRYING TO INSTALL IN MY 2005 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT THAT HAS FACTORY IN IT RIGHT NOW . HEAD UNIT HAS POWER BUT NO SOUND AND NO BLUETOOTH? CAN SOMEONE HELP ME PLEASE
Hello, first thing to check is wiring. Did you use a scosche, metra or wire harness that adapts the aftermarket head unit to the wiring of your truck?
Trying to install an aftermarket radio in my 2003 Dodge ram 1500, checked all the wiring, and it is connected correctly, but the constant wire is getting zero power. Checked the fuse box, and it was fine, there are no tears in the wire either, any ideas?
I installed an aftermarket stereo in a ’98 Mustang and in the end, I had to leave all the negative wires to the speakers disconnected to get sound. To this day, I can’t figure out why it had to be that way but that’s how it worked.
Hi my name is Cynthia I do like to hook up my systems right know am in a project that has a eq and two amps radio it does look easy but it’s hard I connected everything but I have to say I guess am not good cause I did something wrong that the bass don’t have sounds I am not sure how to put the eva in the radio to the eq thank u pleaseeeeee help me
2012 ford focus. Installed a amp and a sub. Used a adapter that I only needed to splice into the speaker wire now I don’t have odometer or any of the instrument panel functions. A few lights come on but that’s it also I do not have window controls. Could I have tripped the anti theft feature on the car? Or what else could be wrong? And how to fix it please
2012 audi a3 has factory fitted front speakers installed but no rear speakers. Originally thought it was the wire harness but all seems to be in order (even has a canbus attached to it so avoids having to rewire the ignition live. The OEM quadlock is missing the two smaller blocks inside it. Rumour has it the additional wiring for these non existent speakers is on the factory wiring loom but hidden away. Would you be able to advise on this?
I have the stock 22gauge in the front and 16 gauge in the back, the front sounds ok. But the back sounds muffled and low volume, shouldnt it have more current running through the 16 gauge wire and thus more power to make it louder. I dont have my amp wired yet
Hello, normally the thickness and gauge of wire doesn’t impact the volume of your speakers unless you’re pushing a significant amount of power to them. Your issue is with one of two things: 1. The head unit – if your head unit is powering your system it may not be pushing enough power to all 4 channels. Double check your balance/fade settings on your head unit to make sure that it’s centered or you can even compensate for the lack of sound in the rear by adjusting the balance/fade settings to the rear. 2. If your head unit isn’t what’s actually powering your speakers, your vehicle may have an OEM amplifier that’s faulting and you may need to replace it. Hope this helps!
Nice advice.
I have a 2008 chevy surburban we installed a aftermarket kenwood touch screen and after turning off and powering the car once my back speakers constantly play serius xm there’s no way to turn it off or on or even adjust the volume. Also I can connect my phone and play music off my phone over the back speakers? Is it wired wrong?
I have a 06 Chevy Tahoe. Display on the radio won’t turn on, but the little triangle red light is flashing. Tv in the back on turn on either. Please help
I have a Sony MEX-N4200BT car stereo installed. Occasionally (~one a week), while playing it beeps 4 times and turns itself off. Then I need to press SRC (Source button) on the unit to turn it on. Any idea what is happening?
I have a 2006 pt Cruiser it came with a “xvm279bt. Dual” stereo in stalled. 1, If the radio is left on with the car is turned off, he has issues starting the car. 2, if the radio doesn’t come up correctly the speedometer won’t work right. & yesterday, the car wouldn’t start because the radio was left on. Once it started it would not shift out of second gear. I really don’t know if all of this stuff are coincidences. But it seems very odd that if the radio is doing something the car messes up. Have you ever heard of anything like this happening. I plan on taking the car in for an a diagnostic on audio tomorrow at $75 an hour and I really want to know if I’m wasting my time and money or not.
Hi
I bought a Target model car screen, everything works fine but the display lighting of the buttons does not work
Anyone know how to solve this problem?
Hi i have a 2006 ford ranger as i was installing a aftermarket radio i plugged it in and it worked i unplugged it to add some aditions few items to it and plugged it in to see that it had no power the fuses are not blown but yet no power what could be a issue
My 2008 Mini Cooper original factory radio stopped working, except for the CD player. Simultaneously, the AM/FM, Satellite, and Auxiliary all display “–” on the radio screen, and those features are not available for use. The CD player still plays perfectly… just, nothing else.
All of a sudden my 01 Silverados kenwood radio gets louder or clearer when I turn off my engine. Why?
I have a 2017 Sportage and during the cold weather I have great reception on the radio and absolutely no problems. As soon as it starts to warm up, like now, April 8, my radio starts to crackle on every little dent in the road. So bad that you cannot hear the radio.
Does anyone have a solution?
I have a 91 Cadillac Seville installed an aftermarket radio everything turns on and works except there’s no audio I ran new wires to the factory speakers and still get no sound any help would be greatly appreciated thanks
Also I ran new wires because I wanted to bypass the factory amplifier in the aftermarket radio I wired with no harness only the harness to the aftermarket radio
I have a 2006 Chrysler 300, I put a aftermarket stereo in it, but the problem is that it only put out half the volume, no matter how much I turn up the volume, and the aftermarket radio has three times the power that the factory stereo has, what Is the problem
What’s it mean if head unit volume is turned all the way up but the speaker volume is very little and sounds fuzzy and distorted?
Hi, I have recently bought a new multimedia unit for my forester 2010 android 10 seicane from aliexpress. The problem is that when i connect the multimedia (only connect the power harness) the car wont ignite at all, although the multimedia work fine. what can be the reason ?
I am in the middle of restoring a 1994 Mazda Maita MX5. I am trying to put a new stereo in. I had a JVC KD R310 and it worked fine but the Faceplate had been stolen , and I could not find a replacement. I tried a no brand aftermarket stereo and it took me so much research and wiring / re- wiring to no avail. It would NOT turn on. Finding the proper color wiring schematic was near impossible. I finally got ahold of one, and it didn’t work, so I bought a different stereo, again an inexpensive one (Boss ) because I am selling the car and I figured they would want to put in their own stereo. The JVC still worked when I removed it. So I know it is not the wiring from the car, but yet when I use the continuity tester, none of the wires light up. And yes the tester works, it was already tested and worked on the Constant wire and my security switch. I originally, since it worked, tried to just disconnect and reconnect the wires up as I took them off the JVC, that didn’t work. I don’t know what ypou mean when you say to “tap” into the lighter, and I really don’t want to do that, because I am the one who always forgets to turn things off.
Hello,
I have an Audi A3 2010 and I had a original stereo from audi in it, so I decided to change it so I can have some more options like Bluetooth etc. I bought some aftermarket unit and installed it but my rear speakers don’t make any sound. Front speakers are working fine btw. I found something on forums and noticed i don’t even have a control amp wire on my unit, so that’s the big problem. Can you help me ?