Ferrariferg Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 Alright. So I installed a new stereo after removing the stock one and ever since then my dimmer nob stopped working. My voltage meter, oil pressure meter, and shifter console stopped lighting up when they are supposed to. And my room light fuse keeps blowing. It only blows while I'm driving. Sometimes it blows before I'm even out of my driveway but others I can go for a few blocks. I've checked all my wiring and my grounds and it all checks out. I just cant figure out what the problem is. I disconnected the dimmer and drove around but same thing. My friends told me to use a bigger fuse do to using a more powerful stereo and speakers so I have tried different sizes from 10 to 25amp. I don't feel safe going any higher than that. Right now I'm thinking I have a short in my antenna electrical or I'm getting a power surge from my alternator (Seems unlikely to me since that would blow more than one fuse). What do you all think? Any ideas are appreciated. Kyle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WizardBlack Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Need info on how you wired things in. Did your audio wiring run straight off the battery with a fuse and relay (as it should)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferrariferg Posted September 21, 2008 Author Share Posted September 21, 2008 I used all the stock wiring. I hate rewiring. I will if I have to. That would be one other thing I haven't checked yet would be to remove the radio. Luckily my dad hasnt made my faceplate yet so its just sitting in the hole. I should also mention that this is a 280zx in case that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woldson Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Sound like you possibly used the dimmer wire incorrectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferrariferg Posted September 21, 2008 Author Share Posted September 21, 2008 I'm not even sure what wires go to the dimmer or if I even used them. It all came from installing the stereo. I think I might have had my antenna hooked up wrong. I disconnected it last night and drove my car a few miles and didn't have any issues. But still doesn't fix my light problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WizardBlack Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 How can you say you installed the stereo and yet be so vague about how it is wired? You need to be precise and cover details fully if you expect anyone to be able to help you diagnose an electronic issue through a web forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferrariferg Posted September 23, 2008 Author Share Posted September 23, 2008 Sorry about being so vague. I have to actually look at the wires while typing to see what is hooked up to what. I will take my laptop out tomorrow and take a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferrariferg Posted September 24, 2008 Author Share Posted September 24, 2008 Alright. So I am pretty sure I figured out the issue with the fuse. I've been driving for a couple days with the antenna disconnected and haven't had any trouble at all. The stereo is wired for power like this: Battery= blue with red stripe ACC= yellow with green stripe Ground= chassis I realized that my stereo doesn't have a connection for power antenna so I had the antenna running off of the ACC wire. Probably not the best idea but I installed the stereo at 4am so I wasn't really using my head. Still doesn't explain why my gauge lights arnt working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WizardBlack Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 Alright. So I am pretty sure I figured out the issue with the fuse. I've been driving for a couple days with the antenna disconnected and haven't had any trouble at all. The stereo is wired for power like this: Battery= blue with red stripe ACC= yellow with green stripe Ground= chassis I realized that my stereo doesn't have a connection for power antenna so I had the antenna running off of the ACC wire. Probably not the best idea but I installed the stereo at 4am so I wasn't really using my head. Still doesn't explain why my gauge lights arnt working. Telling me color assignments doesn't help. WHERE are those wires tied in, that's the question. The last paragraph is the kinda info that we need. It sounds like you already realized what was wrong. You can't pull big amps for an add-on through an existing fused circuit. It doesn't have the allowance to feed it (or it shouldn't). Get a relay to kick on with the ACC wire and feed to the radio with that (plus an appropriate fuse, of course) and you shouldn't have as much of an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferrariferg Posted November 20, 2008 Author Share Posted November 20, 2008 Alright. I fixed the problem with the fuse and the antenna. But my lights still arn't working. I managed to get my hands behind the gauges with some multimeter probes and found that I am getting power to the lights when the switch is on but only about 2 volts instead of 12. Anyone know what could cause this? I'm going to clean my fuse panel tomorrow and make sure none of my contacts are corroded. How do you remove the dimmer knob from the metal pin? I tried pulling it but it didn't budge and i don't want to break it. Thanks for all the help. Kyle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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