Hey everyone! I'm Mike and new at this and have an issue that I know can be resolved. I'm financially embarrassed so I drive a 1991 Plymouth Sundance. I took out the factory radio and wired up my harness. For some ODD reason, there was a flat wire that was screwed on to the original radio and is hidden way back in the instrument panel. I don't think Plymouth would do that? Does that make any sense..? Anyway, I cut that wire from the factory radio and touched the so-called "ground wire" to the cd player and hooked up the harness. It made a spark and worked perfect. (Keep in mind I rigged the flat ground wire to the trim of the cd player). A little bit later when I started the car it wouldnt turn on and the ground wire made no sparks when I tried to reset it. Yea, I know I could use a simple speaker wire to run from the head unit....BUT I can't find a ground for ****. All the screws are rusted and simply put, I can't find a good ground. Fuses are good. What's the problem guys ? MAD *By the way, the entire instrument panel is plastic. The only thing that is metal in there is the radio antanna.*
Replies (4)
LC1 on 02/16/2006 20:14:42
Hey how goes it?
I actually used to have a 1993 Plymouth Acclaim... key word is used too haha just bought a new car.
Anyways when I installed my new stereo I found that flat grounding wire too. I didn't use it, I just found a nut on the floor board and loosened it, sanded the rust away and used a ring clamp connector thingy and grounded a new wire there. With my first stereo I installed in my Acclaim I used that flat ground wire and had no problems either.
I think it'd be best to just run a new wire to a bolt in the floor board or use a self tapping scew.
18inchdpk on 02/16/2006 21:16:45
- LC
I think I might have smoked the CD player when that flat wire was touching the trim on the head unit. I presume you want me to connect the other end of the ground directly on the unit? I'll try a couple more things but this is honestly driving me nuts.
-Mike
LC1 on 02/16/2006 21:24:14
On the harness output from the CD Player is what you should ground from. Do not use the factory ground anymore. It is usually best to ground directly from the head unit to the chasis or floor board of the car.
As for why your cd player sparked I'm not really too sure. Best to wait for the pros on here to respond.
Good luck
swez on 02/16/2006 21:57:27
The spark is usally a good indication of a circuit with power, has been found. It just means power has found a path from ground to B+ has been found.
If there was a severe spark and a fuse was blown, that indicates a short circuit and a blown fuse... Hopefully, this power circuit was fused.
The antenna is usually a poor grounding source. It was not designed to be the only ground. That's what the grounding strap on the OEM HU probably was for.
Plastic trim is not a ground. Plastics are usually poor conductor. It's more like an isulator. If you have no ground, the HU may not work at all.
May I suggest you try pulling the HU and test it a 12 volt battery? The Red and Yellow wires are B+'s. The chassis or "Black Wire" are ground. If the HU (CD function and display) are now working and you get audio from the HU amp circuits, all is AOK with the HU. If not, "We have a problem Houston".
Swez
PS It is good to use a fuse on the Yellow Wire. The Red wire is ACC/IGN and should be fused via the main fuse panel. Check that fuse as well.
The flat wire is usually a ground to body, chassis or BAT neg. If theat is missing or insolated, your HU will not get power and not operate properly.
Replies (4)
LC1 on 02/16/2006 20:14:42
Hey how goes it?
I actually used to have a 1993 Plymouth Acclaim... key word is used too haha just bought a new car.
Anyways when I installed my new stereo I found that flat grounding wire too. I didn't use it, I just found a nut on the floor board and loosened it, sanded the rust away and used a ring clamp connector thingy and grounded a new wire there. With my first stereo I installed in my Acclaim I used that flat ground wire and had no problems either.
I think it'd be best to just run a new wire to a bolt in the floor board or use a self tapping scew.
18inchdpk on 02/16/2006 21:16:45
- LC
I think I might have smoked the CD player when that flat wire was touching the trim on the head unit. I presume you want me to connect the other end of the ground directly on the unit? I'll try a couple more things but this is honestly driving me nuts.
-Mike
LC1 on 02/16/2006 21:24:14
On the harness output from the CD Player is what you should ground from. Do not use the factory ground anymore. It is usually best to ground directly from the head unit to the chasis or floor board of the car.
As for why your cd player sparked I'm not really too sure. Best to wait for the pros on here to respond.
Good luck
swez on 02/16/2006 21:57:27
The spark is usally a good indication of a circuit with power, has been found. It just means power has found a path from ground to B+ has been found.
If there was a severe spark and a fuse was blown, that indicates a short circuit and a blown fuse... Hopefully, this power circuit was fused.
The antenna is usually a poor grounding source. It was not designed to be the only ground. That's what the grounding strap on the OEM HU probably was for.
Plastic trim is not a ground. Plastics are usually poor conductor. It's more like an isulator. If you have no ground, the HU may not work at all.
May I suggest you try pulling the HU and test it a 12 volt battery? The Red and Yellow wires are B+'s. The chassis or "Black Wire" are ground. If the HU (CD function and display) are now working and you get audio from the HU amp circuits, all is AOK with the HU. If not, "We have a problem Houston".
Swez
PS It is good to use a fuse on the Yellow Wire. The Red wire is ACC/IGN and should be fused via the main fuse panel. Check that fuse as well.
The flat wire is usually a ground to body, chassis or BAT neg. If theat is missing or insolated, your HU will not get power and not operate properly.
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