So installed aftermarket radio, worked great until yesterday, then it just died! Ohmed out the wires on the connector since I soldered them all myself. The are all good from the aftermarket connector to the radio harness. Checked fuses in the fuse box and all good 20A and 5A. There is also power at the OEM harness. I haven't had a chance to plug in the OEM radio yet maybe today. I think my new radio just crapped out on me. Also the fuse on the radio is still good. Any one have this problem? Any tips or suggestions?

TIA,
Art

 

Is there a reset button behind the faceplate somewhere? I've had this issue with my Kenwood multiple times... Hard reset button always fixes it, just a PITA reprogramming everything.

 

Thank you sir, I will give that a try. Never had to reset a HU before...but its been at least 10 years since I purchased one!

-Art

 

What brand/model of head unit? New or used?

 

Kenwood KDC-X799 brand new from Crutchfield. Found the re-set in the manual so will give it a try this evening if time allows.

-Art

 

You mentioned the fuses are good, but did you actually check the voltage at the connector? And ground also.

 

Yessir! Voltages are good thru factory and aftermarket harness, ground good to the chassis also. I thought maybe I had a bad solder joint or something as its been years since I broke out the solder gun, but all is good. I hope its just the reset button.

-Art

 

Damn, this is weird, only had a few minutes to trouble shoot, but I am perplexed. Radio did not work after reset. So I plugged in the OEM stereo and while it powers up (clock display) it will not go to AM/FM Band. It appears to also be dead in the water unless I just need a clock sitting there. At this point I am lost. My OEM stereo has 2 plugs in the back and my aftermarket only has the one plug (the big one). Does the instrument cluster play any part of this?

TIA,
Art

 

It shouldn't, GM vehicles have other circuits that share the radio harness but I haven't heard of it in earlier model Fords before.

Have you tried pulling the fuse out for the stereo circuit? My reset has failed before and I've had to just straight up power chop it via fuse removal while live.

I'm wondering if there's an issue in the plug itself somewhere?

 

There has to be a disconnect somewhere..Oh well until the weekend to mess with it..I will update as soon as I figure it out or have more questions...

Thanks for y'all's help,
Art

 

Is the name "China" found on the radio anywhere?

 

They all say China.... Couldn't stand it, radio is dead, hooked it up to a battery and won't power on..dead in the water. Tried reset, and fuse is good..still nothing. I guess its going back next week.

-Art

 

Could be a broken wire before you get to the oem harness since you have power that far but not other functions. Sometimes in the process of wire stuffing you can get a break on a weak one at the connector or you could have a loose connector in your OEM harness--I've had that happen before after taking connectors on and off before , The wire breaks loose from the connector just beyond where you can easily see it.

 

Yeah if it won't power with a battery then you have been assaulted by communism and sweat box labor

 

It's most likely a failure in the Kenwood-to-Ford harness. It's *somewhat* unlikely that the Kenwood headunit is dead.