Head unit install - How i almost started a fire!
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 9:22 pm
Just thought id share this, so it doesnt happen to anyone else.
I know i farked up, but it was a simple mistake.
Ive installed plenty of stereos, alarms etc.
Anyway, i was replacing the factory GQ unit with a mp3 player, what i did was cut off the harness of the factory unit so i had access to the wiring to solder in my new harness.
I identified and connected constant 12v, acc 12v, the 4 speakers, and the earth (or so i thought it was earth!)
The earth/body wire i found using a continuity test to the body.
Anyway i have my stereo all up and running no probs at all. I drive the car and realise the tail lights dont work... it blew the 15a fuse. Didnt think much of it, but had no spare 15a so i (stupid mistake!) fitted a 20a fuse temporarily until i get to the shop. what harm can an extra 5a do!
Turn lights on to check and almost immediately the cabin begins filling with smoke... oh shit!
I realised what i had done at this point, I had connected my stereo earth to the lights wire! (the wire that dims the stereo display when lights are on)
The lights wire is earth/body when the lights are off (confirmed with multimeter, and the fact the stereo worked with the lights off!) and 12v+ with lights on!! strange, but i have heard of this system before, i dont think they are all like this.
anyway, the only wire that was damaged was the earth wire of the stereo, it was basically stripped down to copper the entire length, to the internal circuit board. The existing wiring of the patrol is undamaged, it was thicker than the headunit wiring.
Had to remove the wire from the circuit board and solder in a new one.
Anyway, thats my stupid mistake, hope someone else can learn from it!
I know i farked up, but it was a simple mistake.
Ive installed plenty of stereos, alarms etc.
Anyway, i was replacing the factory GQ unit with a mp3 player, what i did was cut off the harness of the factory unit so i had access to the wiring to solder in my new harness.
I identified and connected constant 12v, acc 12v, the 4 speakers, and the earth (or so i thought it was earth!)
The earth/body wire i found using a continuity test to the body.
Anyway i have my stereo all up and running no probs at all. I drive the car and realise the tail lights dont work... it blew the 15a fuse. Didnt think much of it, but had no spare 15a so i (stupid mistake!) fitted a 20a fuse temporarily until i get to the shop. what harm can an extra 5a do!
Turn lights on to check and almost immediately the cabin begins filling with smoke... oh shit!
I realised what i had done at this point, I had connected my stereo earth to the lights wire! (the wire that dims the stereo display when lights are on)
The lights wire is earth/body when the lights are off (confirmed with multimeter, and the fact the stereo worked with the lights off!) and 12v+ with lights on!! strange, but i have heard of this system before, i dont think they are all like this.
anyway, the only wire that was damaged was the earth wire of the stereo, it was basically stripped down to copper the entire length, to the internal circuit board. The existing wiring of the patrol is undamaged, it was thicker than the headunit wiring.
Had to remove the wire from the circuit board and solder in a new one.
Anyway, thats my stupid mistake, hope someone else can learn from it!