Why won't my CD Player work?

Question

Installed my Phase Linear CD Player as instructed, and it still won't come on. My car is a 2000 Saturn SL2, and the wiring harness had been cut off. So I had to splice them together. Hooked everything up and turned car on, but nothing from CD Player. Seat belt chime did not sound either.

Answer 1

Look for the vehicle chime fuse; it's the same fuse that provides constant power the the CD player. It's probably a 5 amp fuse in the fuse box (on the passenger side of the center console, IIRC). Chances are the fuse got blown while you were doing your wiring.

Answer 2

assuming your seat belt chime worked before your install, I'd check your fuses. sounds like you blew one. could be due to improper wiring. check & then double check your wiring again.

here's the way I connect a stereo to a car that had the factory radio plugs cut:

As far as knowing what wires are what:
- using a digital volt meter or a 12v test light, connect the black wire on the meter or light to a GOOD ground point. Make SURE all the "loose" wires are not touching each other OR any metal in the radio cavity
- turn the ignition to ACC
- touch each wire on the radio plug with the red lead off the meter or the pin end of the test light. Make sure to try EVERY wire.
- note which wires make the meter measure 12v or the light comes on. those are your power wires - will be at least 1, maybe 2.

Since the speakers are not grounded in your system, now find the ground wire in the factory plug as follows:

- take the red lead of the meter or wire end of the test light & connect it to one of the known power wires you just found
- take the black lead of the meter or pin end of the light & start touching the other wires in the plug one at a time. Again, touch EACH wire.
- Note which wire you see the meter say 12v or the light comes on. That is your ground wire, you should only have one of them.

now connect those wires to your new radio & via process of elimination match up the speaker wires on your radio to the ones on the radio plug. Since you've isolated the power & ground wires, shouldn't harm your deck or speakers.

once all the speakers are on, the only wire left in the plug should be the power antenna wire. VERIFY it does NOT have 12v at it by using the meter or test light. If it doesn't, connect it to your new radio antenna wire & it should go up.


if you have any questions, just email me.

Answer 3

Some cars will use the stock radio for certain things (seat belt chime, door chime, etc.) and require the original radio to be connected as well.

You might be able to get the original harness and adapter harness from here http://www.metraonline.com

Answer 4

go buy a harness at auto zone