Rep Power: 0

I read the DIY tut on how to install a new headunit and i got it put in and what not.

but i have some questions i think i might have messed up the stock wiring harness (the blue connector that plugs into the stock radio or the wiring converter for aftermarket head unit)

When i was putting my new head unit in i hooked up all the wiring stuff and i turned the car on and it worked fine, then i put the whole thing back into the dash and went to turn the car on again and the fuse blew, so i replaced the fuse with a brand new one. Now the new head unit still doesn't work, the only thing i can think of is that blue connector piece. I know that its not the radio itself because i tried plugging the stock sterio back in and it wouldnt work either.

Is there anyway around that blue connecter like pulling the wires out some how and splicing them straight to the wire converter for the new head unit? or order a new connector?

btw my car is a 04 Lx 4 door if that helps

 
Rep Power: 230

Ok essentially what I think you did was when you connected the wires together on eache harness, you had a bare wire exposed and it shorted out. You don't need any new harnesses just pull the radio back out and grab the harness that plugs into the aftermarket radio and the harness that plugs into the factory harness. Take all the connections apart and redo it. It's a PITA but you gotta do it to try and solve your problem. And then once thats done make sure you use adequate electrical tape to ensure none of the wires come loose again. Get back to me when you finish and test it. Reminder: Colors don't always match up so be sure to read what each wire does and if you can, try soldering and heatshrinking.

 
Rep Power: 0

yes i assumed that this is what i should do the first time it didnt work, so i took all the wires out and redid my work, taped it all off and what now. It still doesnt work, even when i plug the stock radio back in the original wiring harness doesnt seem to work.

Im going to go take pictures right now and ill post them, if this thunder storm doesnt knock out power however

EDIT:
Stock wiring harness connected to aftermarket harness connected to new head unit


Stock wiring harness(where i think the problem is)


After market wiring harness spliced to headunit wires

 
Rep Power: 291

don't use the orange "illumination" wires. (if i'm remembering correctly)

 
Rep Power: 0

^^x2
Yeah don't use the orange illumination wire. i blew a fuse and shorted the dimmer switch in my speedo.

the blown fuse, was it the fuse box under the dash,or in the engine compartment.?

when i blew my fuse, it was a fuse in engine compartment and not the acc/radio fuse under the dash

 
Rep Power: 256

it doesn't look like the orange wire is being used in the pic.but definitely check all the fuses.

 
Rep Power: 0

I use the dimmer/illumination wire with my Kenwood and never have a problem.

 
Rep Power: 253

^^ I believe I used it on mine too..the only wire I didnt use was the antenna booster cuz I couldnt figure out where it went..never had any problems though

 
Rep Power: 0

yeah so i feel completely stupid for not checking the other fuse in the engine compartment, that fixed all my problems and now ive gotton my system and all working great

 
Rep Power: 291

"back up" fuse?

 
Rep Power: 214

Yeah check all fuses and back up fuse. Something kind of similar to this happened to me, and turns out it was the back up fuse. Look in the under the hood fuses.

 
Rep Power: 230

Glad to hear you got it to work. I don't understand why people say there is a problem with using the dimmer wire. I have done probably 20+ installs and I always hook up every wire. I started my installs like 3 years ago and other then people having messed up wiring before I touched it, never had any problems.

 
Rep Power: 0

I think I had that same problem, i know i saw this covered somewhere else I think, but I don't get good radio reception probably because of that.

 
Rep Power: 230

I also don't know what you are referring to about an antenna booster either. The only antenna wire in any car I ever touched was the wire for power antenna. All this does is allow your power antenna, if equipped, to raise when the HU is powered on and to lower when powered off. As long as you connect all wires between both harnesses, there should be no problems. I, myself, have horrid radio reception but I believe that is do to just a bad antenna. Radio stations around me suck anyway so I listen to my mp3s stored on my 4gb thumb drive.

 
Rep Power: 812

even tho we do not have real "power antenna," the window glass antenna has a control module that needs power to work properly. so if you do not hook the power antenna wire, you will have bad reception. my fm reception sounds like cd quality.

 
Rep Power: 230

I always hook them up regardless but I have a 6th gen and there is physically no wire where the power antenna wire on the other harness would go but like I said I still hook it up. I never realized they had window antennas on 7th gens. I'm going to have to look at one closely sometime bc I'm looking for a new way to listen to the radio, even though I never do, and I was thinking like a bmw shark fin but they are too big.

 
Rep Power: 812

the hybrid civic 03+ has an excellent antenna assembly and modulator you can prolly retrofit into your car.