Need Help ASAP - Eclipse Radio Keeps Blowing

[themaha]

Hi everyone - been reading the forums for several years now but decided to finally sign up as I have a problem I can't figure out.

I recently wired up a new head unit, an Eclipse CD3200 with IP-106 iPod adapter. The two rear channels are running the stock speakers and I have two sets of RCAs going to an amp. The front RCAs are for the front components and the non-fader is for a sub. All wiring is done with butt connectors and heat shrink.

Here's the issue. The whole setup worked fine for two days and then poof - the receiver started to smoke and now I can't see anything on the display. The in-line fuse did not blow - the actual unit went. Strange thing is that the radio still plays both through the RCAs and rear channels, at full volume without distortion.

So I thought bad unit and I replaced it with the same model. Put the new one in and it worked fine... for two days. After that, started the car up, heard a thump and started to see smoke from the radio... again. Same thing - I hear the all speakers and can even hear the radio navigating through menus if I press buttons but can't see anything on the display. No button illumination either.

What wiring could be shorting this out? Could it be the front speakers which are terminated in the doors or the illumination wire or what? I'm really at my wits end as I've done a dozen installs and never had an issue.

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[97maxima 10+ year member]

Not to sure what it could be but it does sound like a wiring issue, id get a new unit and hook every wire up one at a time starting with power. Id hook up the speaker wires off the hu last.

 

[themaha]

This is the second unit I've tried though... from a different retailer, too. Because they both worked fine for a few days, can I deduce that a speaker wire is grounding out the HU somewhere? Or could it be the RCAs grounding through the amp? If either is the case, any idea why I continue to get sound through the speakers and also why the in-line fuse didn't blow?

 

[97maxima 10+ year member]

As far as why it still works after it smokes, no clue. I run the same unit and have had it for nearly 2 years w/ no issues. Where are u buying these from? At this point the only eclipse hu available for the most part are refurbs which could be the issue all together. My car does not use the illumination wire tho which may end up grounding out in your case

 

[themaha]

You're right, they were refurbed but I think it kind of strange to have the same issue with both being that they came from two different places. The second one was from Sonic Electronix. Because the lights, etc. stopped working on both, I kind of suspected illumination wire but wanted to know if I was crazy. Will double check all wiring and let you know. Appreciate your help and if anyone else has a thought, please chime in.

 

[97maxima 10+ year member]

Yea man, they could be buying all the refurb units from the same place for re sale. Good luck