Blown fuse/radio/system???

[AuburnTigerGirl]

So I had to replace the radio head unit 4 times in 1 week alone (for unrelated issues) and needless to say I was pretty livid by then. :redbrick: I stupidly tried to rush the process by not disconnecting the battery first and then sure enough, as soon as I started with the wiring, sparks and smoke flew. Two of them crossed. I finished the hookup anyways though hoping that I didn't permanently damage something. No luck though. Radio wont even turn on. I took out the head unit and wiring harness and put the stock radio back in it though, hoping that maybe I could just replace the harness if the stock worked. Also no luck. I am a huge music freak and it's killing me not having anything playing while I'm on the road. Suggestions?? I really don't want to have to bring it into a shop and overpay someone to diagnose this. HELP!?!?


PS - I am BRAND new at working on cars but I have a real passion for it. I'm just not to a point yet where I can work around a project without a little help, so any direction yall can give me would help!

THANKS!!!

 

[Michael Carter]

what year is the vehicle your working on? Also it could be a fuse, or you fried the circuit board in your head unit, or you maybe didnt wire it correctly, if you could post a picture of the wiring you've done. *not saying your colorblind but its very easy to wire things incorrectly.*

 

[AuburnTigerGirl]

It's a 2004 T4R SR5. I also meant to say that the Pioneer DEH-P6100BT was halfway wired in when the crossing happened (if that makes a difference)

 

[gaterose]

Is the wiring behind the dash melted anywhere?

If not I would check all the fuses related to the radio, then maybe check other fuses if not. I had a wire get crossed and it shorted out the engine EFI making the entire 4runner not start/run. Found out the wire that burned up was a wire for rear air suspension (which I don't have) but that wire somehow shorted out the EFI fuse even though those are two unrelated systems.

Also, I usually wire my harness together outside of the 4runner (where it's comfortable) so that when I get in the truck it's just plug-n-play, that also makes it more difficult to short anything.

ROLL TIDE

 

[AuburnTigerGirl]

I'll go check the fuses right now. What am I looking for? Will it be obviously damaged? Aside from the panel under the steering wheel area, where else should I look? I didn't notice any melting but I'll look a little closer. Thanks for the quick responses!

(And WAR EAGLE!)

 

[gaterose]

The fuses should have an S N U or Z shaped piece of shiny metal inside, on a blown fuse that metal will be disconnected and appeared burned.

These are both blown (although the one on the right almost looks ok)

 

[Dawg4Runner]

The first thing you should check are the radio fuses located in the fuse box under the hood, next to the battery. Not sure about your year but for my 2008, the radio fuses are the yellow 20 amp fuses indicated by the picks. The red screwdriver points to a clip you can use to remove the fuses.

 

[AuburnTigerGirl]

Thank you for the help guys! Pulled the fuse out and it was clearly blown. So glad that it is going to be a simple fix! Until I can get a replacement though I've decided to improvise by connecting my desk speakers up. Not even close to being a permanent fix but it should get me through the next few days until I get to the store. Haha.

By the way thanks for telling me about the fuse box under the hood. I was looking at the one under the steering wheel panel and couldn't figure out why none of them went to the radio.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

Thank you for the help guys! Pulled the fuse out and it was clearly blown. So glad that it is going to be a simple fix! Until I can get a replacement though I've decided to improvise by connecting my desk speakers up. Not even close to being a permanent fix but it should get me through the next few days until I get to the store. Haha.

By the way thanks for telling me about the fuse box under the hood. I was looking at the one under the steering wheel panel and couldn't figure out why none of them went to the radio.

Umm...ghetto! :lol:

:jk:

 

[AuburnTigerGirl]

Lol I know! But I just need it to get me til Tuesday and then all will be back to normal.

 

[MICA4R]

both fuses are in perfect shape, and test normal with voltmeter. what other fuse ?

should i check?