My Sony Explode radio is acting crazy and i cant pinpoint why. Think it has something to do w/ ground?
First, the cd player stopped working, just wouldnt read the cds. But am/fm still werking. When cd mode was on heard the wizzing sound like the ground was off. But box was still working. Then the face would not come off(different problem) so i unplugged the radio for safe keeping. When i put it back on, first the wiring kit, then rcas, all of a sudden the radio started to smoke. But i unplugged it right away. Any ideas how to continue. Think theres some life left? Any advice would help.
Sony X-plod. Should have read the name before you bought it. 
j/k… anyhow…
If you see smoke, you’re likely in the market for a new deck. Also, for future reference, ALWAYS disconnect the negative battery cable before working on ANY electronics in your car… otherwise you see the magic white smoke and are looking to drop some $$ on a new deck.
~Eric
Curls is right. Everything electrical works off of smoke. Once you let the smoke out, it is broken.
I hear a lot of these types of things with Sony’s lower end stuff. I would recomend staying away from it unless it’s their higher end decks.
But you can always warranty it out. Good luck!
Guys, i basically knew that i just didnt want to face the facts. 400 to spend, what you recommend for a new deck?
Anything in the Pioneer Premier lineup has always been great for me.
Also look into JVC’s higher end stuff, as well as the HIGH-end Sony stuff (NOT the Xplod crap again!!). The Mobile ES line by Sony is nice.
~Eric
Yo E! I took a look at your pics-show quality-much props! You did all that by yourself. Good sh*t! I would love to do something like that with my rockford 12s but i dont think i have the tools, looks a litl too clean for my. What tools did you use? Thax 4 the advise by the way im going to get a radio 2day probly a premier. Heard alot about that line. My friend also recommended i switch from 2 12 h2hs, to 4 priemier 10s.
Tools used (that I can remember):
jigsaw (from the 1970’s I swear this thing was OLD-SKOOL)
screws, screwdrivers
measuring tape
T-square (or Corner square would work too)
cardboard (to trace the old OEM carpet onto, to get the shape for the floor)
some hinges (flat kind, to allow about 1 foot from the right side of the floor to flip upwards to let it be installed)
vinyl
contact cement
hair dryer (or low-heat heat gun)
one of those wide floor scrapers that carpet removal ppl. use, wrapped in vinyl (used to smooth the vinyl).
some shelving brackets (to brace the false panel to the actual box).
Took a bit of imagination and creativity, and a bit of experience, but was WELL worth it.
Basically just planned 90% of the time, actually built/installed 10% of the time. Diagrams, etc… are your best friend. And always triple check your measuraments.
~Eric