Aboutcleggsan Expertise Consumer Electronics of all kinds. Audio, esoteric audio systems and components, video, tv. Digital equipment for consumer use. Ham radio and automotive electronics. Note: I give advice on tv repair based on general consumer electronics engineering experience but I am not engaged in actual repair of sets.
Experience Electrical Engineering; recording, broadcasting, design, international standards, tv and radio theory and practice.
Organizations FELLOW of AES (Audio Engineering Society)
Senior Life Member of IEEE (Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers)
International Consulting Organization
Publications IEEE Spectrum
Various Consumer Electronic publications
Education/Credentials BSEE
MSCS
MBA
Awards and Honors Famous Engineer for Digital Audio
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Followup To
Question -
Car : 1989 Honda Accord LX
Stereo : JVC KD-S11
The install was easy. All wires went to where they needed to go and any open leads I have taped off. There is power going to the CD deck, as I can load a CD into it and eject a CD from it, but other than that I can't get the thing to work at all. I can press the power button and I get nothing. I can hold the power button and I still get nothing. I can try changing the track when I load a CD and it does nothing. I have tried to "reset" the microcomputer as it is shown in the install manual and I get no response as to even doing that (if a CD is loaded it should eject the CD, but mine doesn't?).. Any clues as to what I might be doing wrong or anything I might should check? Or did I just get a bad stereo?
Thanks!
Shawn
Answer -
My guess is you don't have the power connected properly. I think this model has two power wires; one that is always on so that it will function when you put in a cd; the other that powers the main unit and is switched by the ON line.
But, this is a promotional model sold through stores like Walmart and others and I don't have exact information on it, so my advice to you may not be 100% in line.
But, I think you should check the power connections again. Also, make sure the fuse is good, as well.
If you are sure beyond doubt the power connections from the battery are correct, then maybe you do have a defective unit; stranger things have happened.
Final note, you can buy a small voltmeter at places like Walmart for about $10; with that you can check the power lines to make sure you really have the 12 volts at the deck.
Best wishes,
Cleggsan
Let me know if you need more help.
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Ok. So I bought a small circuit tester and I've found that while I do have the power lines right (and yes, there are two. One for a current battery connection and another for ignition to battery) my 12v ignition wire is not working. How can I fix this or trace it down to whatever might be causing it? I'm pretty sure that this is the problem I'm having with the unit, but I don't have a manual for my car, nor do I know anything about what I can do to fix this. Thanks for the help so far and anything you can throw in about this issue I would greatly appreciate. Thanks and stay cool!
Krowe
Answer Good; you are a good engineer.
If the ignition line does not have power, check all fuses in the two car fuse boxes.
Alternatively, you can always run your own switched wire directly from the battery to a switch mounted in some convenient place.... but it is a little dangerous if you don't always forget to switch it off overnight, etc. and run the battery down. Also, if you run your own wire, be sure and fuse it. You can usually purchase these auxiliary power wires with fuse port built in at car parts stores and such places.
Finally, there may be other wires you can power the unit on with. For example, any circuit in the car that comes on with ignition can power the unit up, just be careful not to overload the circuits and blow more fuses.
