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Anyone here know anything about car audio? - Printable Version

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Anyone here know anything about car audio? - M4A4™ - Jul 8, 2018

So I have 2 12" Subs installed in my car on a 1100 watt amp for about a year now with no issues and of course I have an aftermarket head unit, some cheap Pioneer one with bluetooth.



Anyways, randomly today listening to music the head unit stopped playing music then shut off and now it wont turn on, any ideas?


Do I need a new head unit now? How did it randomly break?

RE: Anyone here know anything about car audio? - jesuschristisfake - Jul 8, 2018

I can't say a thing about that since IDK but I'd just go to a mechanic or something?

RE: Anyone here know anything about car audio? - SIM-3257834 - Jul 8, 2018

I've had one of those cheap pioneer head units in my shit bucket car. Car went before the unit. I'd check connections since you are in a metal moving box.

RE: Anyone here know anything about car audio? - Mac Miller - Jul 8, 2018

Maybe a wire gave? Idk though I’m not to familiar with it

RE: Anyone here know anything about car audio? - Two-Ton 21 - Jul 8, 2018

A lot of people are lazy and use janky connectors instead of soldering like they should. Probably a loose wire.

RE: Anyone here know anything about car audio? - Fein - Jul 8, 2018

Check your wiring, I've had it happen to me before. My wires ended up burning through my heat shrink.

RE: Anyone here know anything about car audio? - Scriph - Jul 8, 2018

Wire or fuse
Check all connections and the fuse

RE: Anyone here know anything about car audio? - M4A4™ - Jul 8, 2018

(Jul 8, 2018 06:02 PM)Scriph Wrote:  Wire or fuse
Check all connections and the fuse

Gonna rip it out tomorrow, Im thinking it's the fuse at this point.

RE: Anyone here know anything about car audio? - Jinu - Jul 8, 2018

Check whether any wires are damaged. If the set itself fault and if you have a warranty, replace it.

RE: Anyone here know anything about car audio? - Xerotic - Jul 8, 2018

(Jul 8, 2018 06:26 PM)M4A4™ Wrote:  Gonna rip it out tomorrow, Im thinking it's the fuse at this point.

It could very well be. Depending on how you have your system setup it could route through the fuse box or use the normal connectors. If it is routed through the fusebox then you likely use this device:
Spoiler (Click to View)

Wiring and fuses are designed for a specific flow of electricity. When you tap into an existing fuse, you are potentially running more electricity than designed. The fuse is designed to be the "weak link" in the system. Theoretically if there is an excess of electricity flow then the fuse should be the weakest link and will blow first. For that reason I suggest checking your fusebox. Most vehicles will have extra fuses embedded in the fusebox cover. One easy way to tell if you have a burnt fuse that your head unit is tapped in to: If some random other electric driven feature of your car stops working. For example, windshield wipers, electric locks, trunk pop, etc.

The other issue is wiring. Seldom does the average person actually solder their head unit connectors. Some people will simply twist the exposed wires and cover with electric tape. Others will use one of the following connectors:
Spoiler (Click to View)

These are all liable to become disconnected through general wear and tear if not secured properly.

For the most part the head unit wiring should be easy to track and follow. One last thing to consider.... your "power" wire may be intact but the "remote" wire (which will turn the unit on when the key is either in the "accessory" or "ON" position) may be at fault. Both are required for an operational unit.

I personally have never had a head unit fail. I have thrown them around and have re-purposed them for other projects. Any case of a head unit failure for me has been because of one of the above described scenarios OR because of extreme temperatures (less than 0 degree Fahrenheit).

I hope you follow up on this thread and let us all know how it goes.

RE: Anyone here know anything about car audio? - Fours4 - Jul 8, 2018

First check the manual to see which fuse powers the radio power wire, and check it isn't blown, if it isn't blown get a multimeter and test the power wires going to the radio, if there is power check the grounding wire is securely connected, if still doesn't work the problem is with the radio and you'll have to search into that specific radio more.

RE: Anyone here know anything about car audio? - M4A4™ - Jul 9, 2018

(Jul 8, 2018 11:00 PM)Xerotic Wrote:  It could very well be. Depending on how you have your system setup it could route through the fuse box or use the normal connectors. If it is routed through the fusebox then you likely use this device:
Spoiler (Click to View)

Wiring and fuses are designed for a specific flow of electricity. When you tap into an existing fuse, you are potentially running more electricity than designed. The fuse is designed to be the "weak link" in the system. Theoretically if there is an excess of electricity flow then the fuse should be the weakest link and will blow first. For that reason I suggest checking your fusebox. Most vehicles will have extra fuses embedded in the fusebox cover. One easy way to tell if you have a burnt fuse that your head unit is tapped in to: If some random other electric driven feature of your car stops working. For example, windshield wipers, electric locks, trunk pop, etc.

The other issue is wiring. Seldom does the average person actually solder their head unit connectors. Some people will simply twist the exposed wires and cover with electric tape. Others will use one of the following connectors:
Spoiler (Click to View)

These are all liable to become disconnected through general wear and tear if not secured properly.

For the most part the head unit wiring should be easy to track and follow. One last thing to consider.... your "power" wire may be intact but the "remote" wire (which will turn the unit on when the key is either in the "accessory" or "ON" position) may be at fault. Both are required for an operational unit.

I personally have never had a head unit fail. I have thrown them around and have re-purposed them for other projects. Any case of a head unit failure for me has been because of one of the above described scenarios OR because of extreme temperatures (less than 0 degree Fahrenheit).

I hope you follow up on this thread and let us all know how it goes.

So originally I got all my stuff installed by Best Buy because I don't know jack shit about wiring (Huge mistake).

These dumbasses half assed the entire job, anyways I called and they are going to take a look at it and fix it because it's all under my warranty but the earliest is friday... so basically I have to drive around all week with no music because that's the earliest date they can get me in which I'm calling bullshit.


EDIT: Just checked the scheduling on best buys website, the clown over the phone lied so now I scheduled it on Wednesday I'll update this thread with what happens and what caused it.