Radio upgrade problems
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7th Gear
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 7
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From: Cape Cod
Radio upgrade problems
I am resurecting my 2002 Limited 4wd with a 7.3. I have just pulled the factory stereo and replaced it with a Pioneer NEX8400 and a Maestro SW (yes, I will post pictures). The problem is that it sees the key in the ignition when I have the new head unit plugged in including door chime and unlocking the drivers door if the door is open. I have checked my wiring against the manufacturers diagrams and the Ford wiring diagrams and cannot identify where the signal is coming from. Has anyone seen this when upgrading the head unit?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 207
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I am resurecting my 2002 Limited 4wd with a 7.3. I have just pulled the factory stereo and replaced it with a Pioneer NEX8400 and a Maestro SW (yes, I will post pictures). The problem is that it sees the key in the ignition when I have the new head unit plugged in including door chime and unlocking the drivers door if the door is open. I have checked my wiring against the manufacturers diagrams and the Ford wiring diagrams and cannot identify where the signal is coming from. Has anyone seen this when upgrading the head unit?
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7th Gear
Joined: May 2019
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From: Cape Cod
I have always said there are no stupid questions, well there was that one time in boot camp. I used the Metra plug and made my own harness with it. The switched lead is connected to pin 10 (the pink lead), the hot at all times is pin 9 (the light green with violet stripe) and I used pin 11 (the black with light green stripe) for the ground
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 201
Likes: 8
From: Long Island, NY
I am resurecting my 2002 Limited 4wd with a 7.3. I have just pulled the factory stereo and replaced it with a Pioneer NEX8400 and a Maestro SW (yes, I will post pictures). The problem is that it sees the key in the ignition when I have the new head unit plugged in including door chime and unlocking the drivers door if the door is open. I have checked my wiring against the manufacturers diagrams and the Ford wiring diagrams and cannot identify where the signal is coming from. Has anyone seen this when upgrading the head unit?
5th Wheeling
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 43
Likes: 9
I recently added a new head unit (2003 ex) and the pink wire is confusing to me, which is easily done. I just don't remember a factory pink wire involved in powering of the HU or the rear DVD system. I've checked my pics, but I need to check my handwritten notes which I can not find at the moment.
Did you test the operations of the Pioneer NEX8400 before adding the Maestro SW?
My thought is it may be the Maestro causing the issue. I have yet to add a SWC unit to my new HU. Kind of a pain to hit the screen + - volume on the new head unit, so it will b a future project.
Did you test the operations of the Pioneer NEX8400 before adding the Maestro SW?
My thought is it may be the Maestro causing the issue. I have yet to add a SWC unit to my new HU. Kind of a pain to hit the screen + - volume on the new head unit, so it will b a future project.
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7th Gear
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Cape Cod
I have not found any water behind the dash. I may have to pull it further apart if I can't find anything else.
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7th Gear
Joined: May 2019
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From: Cape Cod
I recently added a new head unit (2003 ex) and the pink wire is confusing to me, which is easily done. I just don't remember a factory pink wire involved in powering of the HU or the rear DVD system. I've checked my pics, but I need to check my handwritten notes which I can not find at the moment.
Did you test the operations of the Pioneer NEX8400 before adding the Maestro SW?
My thought is it may be the Maestro causing the issue. I have yet to add a SWC unit to my new HU. Kind of a pain to hit the screen + - volume on the new head unit, so it will b a future project.
Did you test the operations of the Pioneer NEX8400 before adding the Maestro SW?
My thought is it may be the Maestro causing the issue. I have yet to add a SWC unit to my new HU. Kind of a pain to hit the screen + - volume on the new head unit, so it will b a future project.
Thanks for the reply. I will be honest, I don't know what the 2003 wire harness with DVD has. I did get a copy of the 2002 Ford wiring diagrams and mine has the switched power coming on a pink lead.
I did have this problem with just the head unit installed. I was having trouble with a couple of the head unit functions that cleared when I tightened the suitcase connections for the e-brake and reverse leads. It goes away if i remove the head unit and leave the Maestro connected.
I will admit that the Maestro SWC is pretty good. I have it set up for source selection, volume and answering my phone.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 43
Likes: 9
Wow that's odd, try running your own switched + lead from another source in your fuse box or even from battery post with the hood up as a test to turn on the radio and see if the problem persists. Hope I explained that correctly. You should probably also make sure there is a fuse in that line if there isn't one coming from radio acc line
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 207
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I ran my switched power from the fuse box under the kick panel. I have since put a power conditioner and relay to provide switched power to the radio to keep things nice and safe.
Looking back at my own thread, I see the pink wire but I did not connect anything to it; bear in mind, mine is an 05 and slightly difference, but someone with 2003 wiring diagrams was helping me and if I recall correctly, pink was something to do with the rear DVD. For a look at the PK wire on a diagram (in an 03 harness) scroll down to about post 65, or close to there....
Looking back at my own thread, I see the pink wire but I did not connect anything to it; bear in mind, mine is an 05 and slightly difference, but someone with 2003 wiring diagrams was helping me and if I recall correctly, pink was something to do with the rear DVD. For a look at the PK wire on a diagram (in an 03 harness) scroll down to about post 65, or close to there....
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