Short in radio circuit?

ASSISTANCE Electrical & Entertainment Systems
1

This has been a problem for about six months now, and I’ve dealt with it until now, but no longer.

I have a stock HU and harness in my 91 RS, and one day when I turned it on, I heard a quiet pop. I looked at the under dash fuse box, and found that the fuse (14) had blown. I replaced the fuse, but sure enough when I turned on the HU it blew again.

Additionally the cigarette lighter works when there’s a good fuse in the 14 socket, but not if there isn’t. The dome light and trunk lights still work, but the dome only intermittently, seemingly when it feels like it.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this short? Is it a short? I’ve dug around behind the HU some, even taken off some panels, but I can only trace the harness wires (ones I’ve checked look fine, or I’ve taped) so far without taking the dash off. Is that what I need to do? Thanks in advance.

2

Fuse 14 (15A) is the HUs constant power, it is also power for the lighter and the dome, trunk/hatch and map lights.

If the fuse blows as soon as you turn on the HU, and only if you turn on the HU, then the short is in the HU.

As for the dome light being intermittent, will depend on what you mean by intermittently.

Only sometimes when either door is opened or when turned on at the switch?

Only sometimes when either door is opened but always when switch is used?

Only sometimes when drivers door is opened but always when pass. door is opened or switch is used? 94

3

So if I just replace the HU, the problem will be fixed?

Also, about the dome lights. Option two, always works when switched on, but only sometimes when either door is open

4

If fuse does not blow if radio is not turned on, then yes, replacing the HU will solve that problem.

For the dome light I would check the door pin switches, they get rusty. 94

5

[QUOTE=fcm;2012642]Fuse 14 (15A) is the HUs constant power, it is also power for the lighter and the dome, trunk/hatch and map lights.

If the fuse blows as soon as you turn on the HU, and only if you turn on the HU, then the short is in the HU.

As for the dome light being intermittent, will depend on what you mean by intermittently.

Only sometimes when either door is opened or when turned on at the switch?

Only sometimes when either door is opened but always when switch is used?

Only sometimes when drivers door is opened but always when pass. door is opened or switch is used? 94[/QUOTE]

fcm, how the hell do you know all this crap… you got a diagram of all the cars in the world or something? Your knowledge of every cars electrical system just boggles the hell out of my mind LOL. Glad you’re on our side :rockon:

6

Thanks man, your electrical knowledge certainly does bring a whole new level to these forums.

While I’m at it, any suggestions for a decent replacement HU? Something not terribly difficult to install. iPod/aux input would be nice but I could always go the cleansweep route too I suppose.

7

I would go with an aftermarket HU, you can get an Alpine for as little as $150, plus iPod cable… http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/series-c.php?category=AV_HU

Or find a Honda/Acura CD HU w/CD changer control and get the iPod adapter, if you want a stock look. 94

8

Awesome, I found the same Alpine at Crutchfield for 130 with free iPod cable, shipping, and mounting equipment. Suhweet.

Thanks for all your help.