HELP!!! This is Strange!!!
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Erin, Tennessee
HELP!!! This is Strange!!!
Here's the story.... Bought an aftermarket radio for my 99 f-250 superduty.... Installed it with all the proper wiring harnesses, and hook ups. Turn it on and works great...YAAAA.... When it was hot outside the radio would come on work fine but no sound... let it cool off with the ac shut off truck and bam it works fine. Same with the cold, gets real cold, no sound, warm up, shut off ignition, then it works. Thought it was a radio issue so I took it back and got a new one..... SAME DAM THING.... Since then I have installed 3 different radios with the same issue. Re-wired the wiring harness, checked all speaker hook ups, shook wires, you name it. Come to the conclusion that its an issue with my truck and not the radio. With it working sometimes like new and other times just without sound is mind boggling!!! Is there a capasitor or something in-line that when it gets hot or cold shuts down???? Help!!!!!
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
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From: Central Florida
There shouldn't be. I would start with confirming the speakers are matched up. When it's not working, take a battery (preferably with a holder which is wired or make some jumpers) and touch the two leads to the paired wires. You should hear the speaker pop as you tap power to wires. If they don't, then the wires aren't paired to one speaker. If the speakers aren't grounded to the right channel, it would cause some issues. Not necessarily this one, but it's nice to isolate the speakers from the problem (this will also tell you if your speakers are working.)
Then I would have the radio plugged in and not mounted in the dash. With it not working, but set to your volume, check for voltage on the yellow and red wire. Both should have 12v. If your having a power issue, it's likely that the yellow wire isn't carrying 12v or your ground wire isn't providing enough return path. Check for voltage using both the black wire and another ground point. There shouldn't be a difference, but if there is, you have another issue.
Then I would have the radio plugged in and not mounted in the dash. With it not working, but set to your volume, check for voltage on the yellow and red wire. Both should have 12v. If your having a power issue, it's likely that the yellow wire isn't carrying 12v or your ground wire isn't providing enough return path. Check for voltage using both the black wire and another ground point. There shouldn't be a difference, but if there is, you have another issue.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Erin, Tennessee
I'll check on the power issue there. Whats strange is that it never does not come on... Always has had power throughout, just no sound. lights up bright, equalizer movin, tracks changing.... i can hear a small crackle in the speakers when i turn it on but no music comin out... thats when sound comes out or not.
It won't just up and start working driving down the road or nothing. I have to shut off the truck then start back up to get it to come back on. Not even turning power off then on on the radio will get it to come on.... ITS A DAM GREMLIN I SAY!!!!
It won't just up and start working driving down the road or nothing. I have to shut off the truck then start back up to get it to come back on. Not even turning power off then on on the radio will get it to come on.... ITS A DAM GREMLIN I SAY!!!!
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Billings, Montana
On your speakers there's a + and - connection, on the speaker leads out of your head unit there are also + and - connections. Make sure you have + to + and - to -. Sounds to me you have one or more crossed.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
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From: Central Florida
It may have power but insufficient to run the internal amplifier. The accy wire maybe providing all of the current at it's disposal and it's just not enough to do more than run the display. Or the ground could be faulty and causing a voltage drop.
Does the radio have a walk around feature? or when it does work, can you fade to each speaker and hear it?
Does the radio have a walk around feature? or when it does work, can you fade to each speaker and hear it?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 679
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From: NW Burbs of Illinois
Sounds like a grounded out speaker wire to me. Do you have a DMM? test continuity between chassis ground an every one of your speaker leads AT THE RADIO harness. Most all radios have built in ways of protecting itself when there is a grounded out speaker. normally they just shut off the internal amp. considering your on your 5th radio, and you have the same problem, its def a wiring issue. Also. MAKE SURE when you are testing the continuity of the speakers, that they are unplugged from the stereo, otherwise they will all indicate they are grounded. Just unplug the radio harness and probe the harness.
I would place bets though on a grounded out speaker wire.
Also if some speakers are hooked up wrong, as in the + is on a - and vice versa, the speaker will still work and will not make the HU shut down. the speaker is simply out of phase. you will want to correct your issue since your losing alot of sound quality but it will not cause the radio to turn off.
I would place bets though on a grounded out speaker wire.
Also if some speakers are hooked up wrong, as in the + is on a - and vice versa, the speaker will still work and will not make the HU shut down. the speaker is simply out of phase. you will want to correct your issue since your losing alot of sound quality but it will not cause the radio to turn off.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Erin, Tennessee
Tecman, thanks.... i did put some new stock speakers in when i first got the truck. Got a meter to check continuity, just not very familiar with it all. if i get a reading when touchin pos to pos and neg to neg on the harness its right then Right??
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: NW Burbs of Illinois
Well if your using your DMM then one lead will go to ground IE chassis ground as in secure it to exposed metal in the truck somewhere that is grounded. Then take the other lead and touch each speaker pin. if your DMM beeps, its grounded which is bad. you need to tace down where the wire is broken.
You say that you had new speaker installed, take them out and make sure the wires arent pinched in between the door panel and the speaker, I have seen that one a bunch of times.
You say that you had new speaker installed, take them out and make sure the wires arent pinched in between the door panel and the speaker, I have seen that one a bunch of times.
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