Grounding point in trunk? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

magneticgray09 · 07-23-2009, 06:58 PM

To be honest, I've never worked on electronics before and know almost nothing. However, even with no experience, I was able to install my Pioneer AVIC with no problems. Now I'm trying to install the XM tuner for it in the trunk, but when I tried to ground it to the tail light screw the unit wouldn't work. What exactly am I doing wrong? What can I ground it to?

pinoyesv6 · 07-23-2009, 07:12 PM

pretty much all the major sheet metal in the trunk u can ground to. if you peel back some of the carpet you may see some of the factory grounding points.

as for your problem with the one point you tried, you have to have actual metal to metal contact. the point you tried to ground to probably still has the paint still covering the metal

johncal · 07-23-2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magneticgray09

To be honest, I've never worked on electronics before and know almost nothing. However, even with no experience, I was able to install my Pioneer AVIC with no problems. Now I'm trying to install the XM tuner for it in the trunk, but when I tried to ground it to the tail light screw the unit wouldn't work. What exactly am I doing wrong? What can I ground it to?

Up in the trunk lid hinge area there are a couple of choice holes. Just sand to the metal or use kep nuts to be sure you're getting good contact to the metal.

scathma · 07-23-2009, 07:32 PM

There is a grounding point in the trunk underneath the trim pieces. If I recall correctly it is just below the catch for the trunk latch.

When adding the trailer wiring with T-connectors, the instructions direct you to route the negative lead to that grounding point.

magneticgray09 · 07-23-2009, 10:21 PM

Thanks for the help guys. I found the grounding point scathma recommended. Hate to rely on stereotypes, but my little girly hands were too weak to loosen the bolt.

Guess I need to wait for the AM to buy some bolts and/or sanding paper.

scathma · 07-24-2009, 08:19 AM

You did remove the cover panels to access the grounding bolt, didn't you? Can't you get someone to loosen the bolt for you? I don't recall the torque on the bolt being unusually tight.

Hate for you to have to drill, sand, whatever to make a new grounding point that may or may not work when you have the factory grounding point that will save you the expense/hassle and rust potential of a homemade hole in your car... and be completely hidden when you are through.

magneticgray09 · 07-24-2009, 09:07 AM

I'm currently out of town helping a disabled relative, so she won't be any help. When I get back home I plan on asking someone for help with the bolt. For now, I just grounded it to the radio bracket and hid the tuner behind the glovebox.

Honda city · 07-25-2009, 06:13 PM

you have a problem making your own grounding point, you can always use an existing ground from anywhere in the car. Just extend it with a wire to the trunk. Gound wires are always black and positive is red,

sienna1 · 07-26-2009, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honda city

you have a problem making your own grounding point, you can always use an existing ground from anywhere in the car. Just extend it with a wire to the trunk. Ground wires are always black and positive is red,

This statement would be correct for aftermarket products but not for OEM. Toyota grounds are mostly White/Black or Brown, power can be a whole range of colours. For aftermarket, all products made in in the last few years would comply to the Industry standards E.I.A colour codes.