Receiver Not Powering on...

[Zane470]

I hooked up a receiver I got from amazon:

Amazon.com: Kenwood KDC-MP345U In-Dash CD/MP3/WMA/iPod Receiver with USB/Aux Input: Electronics

...using this wiring harness:

Amazon.com: Metra 70-2003 Radio Wiring Harness For GM 98-Up Harness: Electronics

The car is a 2004 cavalier, and I used barrel crimp connectors to connect the wires. The receiver screen never powers on, even after pressing the reset button... If I press the cd eject button, I can hear the drive moving inside, so I'm assuming I'm getting power to the receiver?

Should I just remove everything I did and try splicing the wires with solder, or maybe scrap the wire harness? I really don't know what to do at this point. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crying.gif.ec0ebefe590df0251476573bc49e46d8.gif

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[Zane470]

Ok, I'm pretty sure I figured out the problem....

I need this wiring harness that is $80:

Amazon.com: Stereo Wire Harness Chevy Cavalier 05 (car radio wiring installation parts): Electronics

The problem is I don't have a 12v switched connection with my wiring harness. I read that I'll have to tap into an ignition cable somewhere, which I have no idea how to do. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crying.gif.ec0ebefe590df0251476573bc49e46d8.gif So I'll probably have to buy that expensive wiring harness.

 

[ecko_0113 10+ year member]

just go under the dash to the steering column look for a big brown wire or pink either of those will work for 12 volts switch, so you can save yourself the money

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

GM uses the Class II Data Bus so that is why the expensive wiring harness is needed - it retains door chimes, onstar features, and other associated items. you lose that when you replace the factory head unit - the expensive harness retains those features.

if you don't care about those features, then you can just tap the suggested wire at the steering column - which is messy and requires an inline fuse holder (you MUST fuse that connection!!!)

the easy way is to get an "add-a-fuse" in one of the fuse boxes. they are available in any major autoparts store - just get the one that matches your car (ATO or Mini)