Is My Head Unit Fried?

  • 2
    Participant count
  • Participant list

SerPandy

CarAudio.com Newbie
1
0
Hey guys, couldn't really find anything online for this so I figured I'd make an account here and see if anyone can help.

So I purchased a Pioneer head unit for my 98' Dodge Dakota a while back and wired it up myself and everything worked fine. Occasionally when it rained/got really cold the unit would turn off and on again and I had no clue what was causing it, but just recently when I was getting into my truck to drive somewhere, the stereo just flat out refused to turn on. I took the bezel trim and pulled out the radio but while I was pulling it out, the yellow wire from the head unit connector(which is the 12v memory, if I remember correctly) was pulled out. The wire and the metal connector at the end(not sure what it's called, but the pic attached looks just like it) all came out and make a small spark. I put the wire back where it went and ever since the stereo has not turned on.

Did I fry my head unit? I unplugged the connector that plugs into the head unit and tested the power wire and it is getting power from the truck but nothing beyond the connector. I checked the fuse on the unit as well as the ones in the truck and none of them are blown so I'm not sure if it's just a weird connection or if I killed my unit. Any help would be great, thanks!

female.jpg

 
a spark would be an issue if the memory pin touched the head unit chassis.  not only would that likely blow a fuse but it would also put 12V on the HU chassis, which can damage internal circuits.  it matters what it sparked against. 

if the pin is not fully inserted in the harness, it won't make contact with the HU pins, and the HU won't turn on.  likewise, if the pin opening is too big, it might not make contact with the HU pin.

confirm you're measuring voltage at the harness between the yellow (+12V) and black (gnd) wires. you'll have to measure from the back of the harness because the HU side has openings that are too small for a DMM probe. 

 
Activity
No one is currently typing a reply...
Old Thread: Please note, there have been no replies in this thread for over 3 years!
Content in this thread may no longer be relevant.
Perhaps it would be better to start a new thread instead.

Similar threads

One or two, they are still subwoofer outs and are mono summed signals from both left and right. Even the 2 RCA subwoofer pre-outs on the 2nd one...
3
95
There are a couple of options. You can use a marine bt unit. They come in the size of a hockey puck and can mount anywhere. This is the marine unit.
2
462
There are bluetooth amplifiers. You can just use your phone or an I Pod as the music source and not touch the radio.
1
435
Avoid jvc 480bhs hard to see the display in the daytime even with the brightness all the way up also not as easy getting to the audio menu like...
5
610
I have a 06 grand Marquis. Looking at either Kenwood or Sony Apple play. Is it worth have a floating monitor? Pros and cons?
0
704

About this thread

SerPandy

CarAudio.com Newbie
Thread starter
SerPandy
Joined
Location
Start date
Participants
Who Replied
Replies
1
Views
2,160
Last reply date
Last reply from
keep_hope_alive
1714321195129.png

Doxquzme

    Apr 28, 2024
  • 0
  • 0
1714321134050.png

Doxquzme

    Apr 28, 2024
  • 0
  • 0

Latest topics

Top