New Head Unit only gets power when lights are on

[nuggin]

I just installed a new headunit.

I didn't use a harness, but dis get all the wires right.

however, the headunit only ever recieves power when i turn my headlights on
i can even take out my key, turn the headlights on and play music

i'm really confused about it

can anyone solve my problem

[.tony. .riot.]

Apparently you didn't get all the wires correctly.

[theMANry]

you deffinatly have the wires that make it light up at night hooked up to the main power. and vise versa

[digger08]

There is two positive power wires usually to be connected.

One is a trigger wire, the other is constatnt power.

It sounds like one of these is connected to the headlight switch.

Trace your positive power wires and find a new, constant power wire and switched power wire.

Using a small multi-meter will help you identify if a wire is constantly supplying power.



Digger08

[JetspeedCamry]

Yeah well it's pretty obvious what the problem is...youve connected your LIGHTS/ILLUM wire to the HU +12V ACC wire. Just find the correct Accessory wire from your key or something (the old HU shouldve had a ACC connection) or if not use the Cig lighter or something and connect it to the HU's +12V ACC wire...

[96camryracer]

You talk about hooking wires to wires and not using an harness.. why is that...spending $7-$20 on harness is not bad at all..plus its get the jobs done easier..(plug and play). Unless someone or you cut off the stock harness

Also you dont have to waste time finding which wires is what thus can cause your fues to blow.

i got my harness at wal-mart for $7.00 and it took me 10 min to hook my deck in.

[Axel Kain]

true, but it save space by hardwiring it, also keeps things simpler in the long run. (like for an amp, better speakers+new speaker wire, etc.)

[prnc_chrmng]

Originally Posted by JetspeedCamry

Yeah well it's pretty obvious what the problem is...youve connected your LIGHTS/ILLUM wire to the HU +12V ACC wire. Just find the correct Accessory wire from your key or something (the old HU shouldve had a ACC connection) or if not use the Cig lighter or something and connect it to the HU's +12V ACC wire...

the mans correct, its probly your red, wire from your stero harness thats hookd up to the headlights, ya need to find which wire gets power when you have your ACC on.

[Axel Kain]

^continuity testor...AKA, the clear ice pick with a light bulb, and a ground wire...lol