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Audio Systems/car stereo will not power on

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Expert: - 1/28/2010


Question

dash radio and panel
I just bought a new dual XR4110 60 watt. My car is a 1989 ford thunderbird. base 3.8L engine. I installed the radio and it worked fine. I also have my gauge panel above it that tells me when my fuel is low, low radiator fluid ect. i positioned it and it shocked me and put up a little ploom of white smoke, it shut the little gauge panel down and my radio went out and wont turn on! I returned there radio and harness and replaced it with a new one it did not work. I verified that all wires on the harness to radio were connected properly and checked the fuses under the hood and under the dash. they were all fine but nothing powered up. When connecting the radio there was a little noise that came from the speaker when connecting so i don't think the speakers are blown. What could be the problem? I am attaching a photo of the radio and little panel so it makes it a little easier..thanks

Zach

Answer
You can verify the wiring at this site:

http://www.modifiedlife.com/1989-ford-thunderbird-car-audio-wiring-diagram/

Make sure the wiring harness gets the outputs and power connections correctly to the color scheme from above.

You will probably need to do some checking of wires and power lines in order to get to the bottom of this.  It is likely the power wiring where things have gone wrong, but mis-wiring of speaker leads can cause similar problems.

I suggest you obtain a vom (volt-ohmmeter) and check the voltages and grounds carefully to make sure the 12v is where it should be, etc.  You can purchase a very suitable vom at Walmart or Home Depot for under $10.

Just a note, there is no guessing on wiring; they must all be correct or it will cause trouble.  So, go through it carefully and be sure, conclusively, that all wires are where they should be.

PS:  If something "burned" it may be a wire that overheated and is now open circuit. You should find this out when checking for 12v at the places where it should be including the instrument panel items.  

Cleggsan

Expertise

Audio Design Engineer; systems, loudspeakers, cd/dvd players, etc. I am knowledgeable in all high end audio equipment and installations. MAKE SURE YOU GIVE A MAKE AND MODEL NUMBER AND CAR IF IT IS AN AUTO QUESTION. Note: I am getting some who ask good questions that take a lot of time to research but then the questioner fails to read the answer. Please don't ask questions unless you are seriously looking for an answer. If you find an answer to your question otherwise then let me know with your reply. Thank you.

Experience

Have been associated with audio design, standards, testing and component systems for over 40 years.

Organizations
Life Fellow Member of Audio Engineering Society Life Senior Member of Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers

Publications
Review technical manuscripts for IEEE Spectrum Write occasionally for high-end audio publications

Education/Credentials
BSEE/MSCS/MBA

Past/Present Clients
Past Employee/advisor to several well known audio products manufacturers

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