So I've decided my unibody needs a stereo in it. I got a used Kenwood KDC3025 and according to the diagram on the Kenwood website I wired it up. Their diagram has 3 wires that aren't designated to go anywhere, so I capped them. 10 amp fuse between key and radio, 10 amp fuse between battery and radio, 10 amp fuse in radio. First time I plugged the pigtail into the radio it arced between the radio and the dash, then blew the fuse in the radio. I double checked everything unlpuged and repluged it back in, and again it blew the fuse in the radio. It pops before I even turn on the key. Anyone have suggestions on where to look? Of course I'm not 100% positive that the radio works, but I got it from a more or less legit source. I cant see any reason for it to be blowing fuses like this.
My bet is that there will be at least FOUR answers, none the same. If you are like me it is too late to understand electricity.
Not entirely logical, but would the fact that the bolt I used for ground is one of the bolts that mounts the starter solenoid make a difference? I suppose my first trick should be trying to move that.
Thats what I was thinking, though would rather I was wrong and radio was right... Guess I'm off to look for another...
When you say "plugging it back in" is this a din plug for the radio? If so, use a meter and check each pin to ground. Meaning to put the black lead of the meter to ground and the red lead to each pin. The wires you have going to a power should read what's coming off the battery. One that goes to acces. should only show voltage when the ing. is truned on. You can also check continuity between each wires. Start with one pin then work around to all the others. If you get a tone write down the pin wire colors and check them with the dia. you have. If everything is good there then it's the unit itself. Hope you get some of this...GOOD LUCK.
If the internal radio fuse is blowing then something internal to the radio is at fault.That fuse might also guard against speaker faults.Try disconnecting the speakers and see what happens
Bench test it on the way to the shit can. Takes three wires, another fuse, and a 12v DC source. Just so you know your connections were good.
Take it one step farther: Get yourself a power supply that you can current limit. Set the current limit to 1 amp or so, then power up the radio. If the power supply amp meter gets pegged then up the current limit to 5 amps and repeat. If it is still pegged then use radio as boat anchor.
I looked up your radio online and I believe the three unused wires are:<O</O <O</O Power control wire (Blue/White) - When using the optional power amplifier; connect to its power control terminal.<O></O> Motor antenna control wire (Blue) - Depending on what antenna you are using, connect either to the control terminal of the motor antenna, or to the power terminal for the booster amplifier of the film-type antenna.<O></O> Brown (TEL MUTE) Not Used<O></O> The first two are control wires (not familiar with the third, might be a blue tooth type option) the two control wires will have voltage applied when the power to the radio is turned on, do not to allow these wires to touch ground. If your caps are those electrical twist on caps used to join wires look for a strand of wire that didnt get twisted inside. Better yet get rid of them and wrap with electrical tape or shrink wrap. <O></O> Good luck Paul
Actually the ones that werent used arent even listed on the Kenwood page, were a Brown, pink and a purple. Previous owner had "something" hooked to them at one time, but I didnt see a listing or a place for them
Sounds like it's time to axe and check it! (that would be chop it up with an axe and write a check for a new one)
Unlikely, beings you said you don't even have to turn the radio on, but make sure your speaker wires aren't going to ground. I would "bench test" the radio if it were mine. Cut it out quick and hold yellow to possitive and black to ground on a battery, if it pops, its junk. Sorry for your loss.
Yep, remember that most new radios don't have a single ended output stage. Neither of the speaker wires can be grounded. Make sure it has speakers connected, though. Be sure none of the speaker leads are shorting to anything or each other, especially if you don't have 4 speakers connected. Also make sure things like the RCA outputs aren't grounded. Try it with the antenna wire removed as well. Are you sure the ground is good, you didn't pick up some insulated part of the starter solenoid when you mounted it there? Just some guesses. . .
Sounds like a bad radio but take it out of the car & wire it up on the work bench to a battery & see if it works. Good luck!
Not sure where you got the radio but I think its highly likely that it been modified by previous owner. Like everyone says remove the radio from the car and power it up on the bench with nothing else hooked up (and all leads insolate from one another and ground with electrical tape). If the inline fuse blows again the radio is junk. Sorry Paul
Bench tested, good news, my wiring wasnt bad. Bad news, the radio is junk. Other good news, I still have the # of the guy who sold it to me. So there's now an ad on craigslist for some manlove and his # HA.
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