Expert: Peter G. Lee - 7/25/2006

Question
Peter,

Via a DIN block and speakers direct to radio.  With the car side DIN block, the slots don't match up with the pins on the wiring harness but I have configured leads and earth to provide constant power to the unit, ie I have connected the live from the car to the line nominally indicated as the "switch power supply" line (red)" that then joins to the yellow going into the unit.  Does this matter seeing that the power is getting to the unit?

Tx
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Followup To

Question -
Hi,

I have a 1994 Audi 80 in which I've tried unsuccessfully to install a Sony CDXS 2050.  I've identified, and tested as OK,a constant power source and the earth but all I get is a "whir" but no display.  Dimmer/ On off switch, noting that it is on constant power, have been tried - still no joy  - help!

Answer -
Could you please tell me what connections you have on the car and stereo, is it a DIN block or are you connecting loose leads and are you connecting the speakers directly to the radio or via an anmplifier?

Answer
Worries me a bit when you say you have reconfigured the DIN plug, DIN is DIN and should fit whatever, the only two leads that could be swapped are +30 and +15 (live and ignition), usually red and yellow or orange on the radio if the car is wired that way but it is rare these days. I cannot recommend connecting both red and yellow together as the radio will be "hot" permanently and also it could be left on resulting in a dead battery in the morning, find a +15 (ignition) feed from the fuse box or ignition switch and use that.

The speakers are paired up with the rears to the outside and fronts to the inside so;

Speakers

Right rear -, right front -, left front -, left rear-,
Right rear +, Right front +, left front +, left rear +

Power block viewed from cable side

Phone mute (white),/   n/c, /      ariel & amp (blue), /ignition (red)

  N/c, / 12vlive, (yellow or orange), / lights, (various colours),/ negative (black)

If the connector in the car is non-DIN then the best way to connect is with an din to ??? adaptor loom from your local car radio shop.
  
Providing you have connected it up correctly all should work, if not, let me know,
Peter