Car stereo wiring fried?

Question

In our 89 escort we tried to wire up a stereo with the factory wires attempted to put it in the slot and then there was no sound just light no display or anything. We tried a different stereo and there was nothing at all not even light. So i was wondering if we fried the entire wiring system? Another thing when we touch the constant power wire to the accessory power wire the lights in the car come on and the digital clock. Any ideas there?

The fuse is a blue 15 and its not blown, could it be faulty anyway?

Answer 1

Theres fuses to prevent doing serious damage, and now they just need to be replaced. Go to the fuse box inside your car and there should be a blown red 10amp fuse to replace(but check all to be sure) the head unit should have a fuse on the back of it also check that to make sure its not blown also.

Answer 2

The constant power wire is like a small direct line from the battery, as in it's always hot, but if you were putting it to the positive of the accessories it should have just been creating a circuit. That's not to say that you didn't short out the wiring some other way and I'm not sure what the wire was that you actually touched with the constant, but that's typically run from the positive side as a constant, unless you have a grounded positive electrical system in your car. You wouldn't in an '89 Escort unless you did that yourself. Wiring should be hopefully fused, although I don't know how far back the fusing would be, whether it be all the way back to the fuse box or a separate fuse nearer to the wiring.

Answer 3

You will need the purchase a multi-meter. The meter should have a continuity checker.
Ask yourself if you have basic knowledge of electricity. If the answer is no, then find a friend or a pro to trouble shoot you stereo.
If you are determined to do it yourself, the meter will tell you which wires have the 12v. The continuity checker lets you know which line has a short circuit.

YOU MUST BE CARE FULL WHEN USING A METER!!!
YOU CAN CAUSE MORE DAMAGE IF USED IMPROPERLY!!!

Did you use a wire adapter kit for the stereo?
Did you get the right kit?
Did you follow wiring diagram?
What type of connectors did you use?
(in-line crimp connectors or twist wire then tape)
I would use crimp connectors, if you don't know then go to Radio Shack or similar store.
wrong or sloppy wiring might be you problem.
The best idea is to find a place that offer free install with a purchase of a deck. The most you will pay will be the framing kit for the deck and a wire harness kit.

good luck

Answer 4

You have a blown fuse. Please note that there are always TWO fuses in any vehicle that provide radio power: one for key-switched power and one for constant power. The "radio" fuse is usually the switched power fuse; in your car, it's likely that the constant power fuse is shared with the courtesy lights and clock. If these functions work when supplied with accessory power, then the wiring is clearly undamaged (otherwise the accessory power fuse would blow).

In other words, check the rest of your fuses. If you have a fuse box under your hood, check those fuses too.

Answer 5

That probably happened because the wiring connections were mixed up. Here's the wiring code for your vehicle just match the colors and try it again. Also check the fuses because the are probably blown anyway.

Constant 12V+ - Green/Yellow
Switched 12V+ - Yellow/Black
Ground - Chassis
Illumination - Blue/Red
Dimmer - n/a
Antenna Trigger - n/a
Antenna - Right Front

Front Speakers 6 1/2" Doors:
Left Front (+) - Orange/Green
Left Front (-) - Blue/Light Green
Right Front (+) - White/Green
Right Front (-) - Green/Light Yellow

Rear Speakers 5" x 7" Side Shelves
Left Rear (+) - Pink/Green
Left Rear (-) - Pink/Blue
Right Rear (+) - Pink/Blue
Right Rear (-) - Green/Orange

http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/stereodetail/841.html
http://www.installdr.com/Harnesses/Ford-Wiring.pdf

Answer 6

well first of all.. cutting out a wire harness and trying to wire in a new stereo is just going to be a nightmare anyways.. its easier to just buy a $6 wireing harness and install it..

Answer 7

call the police . you can get new speakers