i installed a new head unit today. it worked fine. i go back to clean up all the wiring and somehow 2 of the wired touch. makes a spark and now the head unit won't work.

changed both fuses (#8 and #20) and the relay (#1) and still doesnt work.
tried putting the stock one back in and it does nothing...
is there an inline fuse i dont know about... ???

helppp pleasee!!!!

2000 F150 Lariat w/ cd player only.

 

is it your new aftermarket head unit that won't turn on or is it your stock unit? regardless, do you know what 2 wires touch? because if it was a 12 volt wire touching another wire, it might have shorted out your new HU, which is not fixable by replaced the truck's audio fuses. Two thinks to remember when replacing head units: (1) Disconnect negative battery terminal before wiring anything (this will prevent short circuits). (2) Use wire nuts!!!! Your F-150 has a large amount of space behind the center dash, so use it to your advantage and connect your HU harness and truck's wiring harness with wire nuts rather than splicing them and using electrical tape. Sorry to hear about your unit.

 

neither unit will work.

it was stupid of me to not unplug it again. it was plugged in to double check everything was connected and i guess some of the shrink wrap move before i got a chance to shrink it and something touched.
had to have been red or yellow im thinking. but idk what it touched.

do you know of any inline fuses that aren't in the fuse box??

 

All i can say to this is wow. First of all, disconnecting the negative isnt it nessecsary, as a proper headunit installation should never have any exposed wires. They make and sell wire harnesses for a reason...USE THEM. Dont hack up your truck just to save $20 bucks.

Secondly, do not EVER use wire nuts in an automotive application. Wire nuts are made for home applications. THEY WILL SHAKE LOSE OVER TIME. Crimp Caps/Butt Connectors/Solder and tape ONLY.

To the OP...there is no inline fuse that I am aware of. Meter your power wires and see if one or the other isnt getting power.

Did you just visually check your fuses or did you meter them? Ive seen fuses look fine and still be blown.

 

i replaced all the fuses. figured it'd be a small price to pay

haynes manual shows that in the SUV's theres 2 other fuse panels that f150's dont have...

could somehow my f150 have these other 2 fuse panels...?
ill go buy a volt meter tomorrow and test everything.

this is really frustrating me... im trying to NOT take it to ford..
anyone know if car toys or best buy will check it out?? may be a little cheaper....

 

we will...$80/hr, $40 minimum charge. Dealers are about $120/hr, and when it comes to aftermarket, dont now their *******s from their elbows.

 

best buy i assume?

seeing as your geek squad and all.

probably take it up there then and see whats up if i cant figure it out today..

 

yup Best Buy

 

thanks for your help

 

got a reading between 1-3 volts coming in to the radio...
so now that i know im not getting power to it....where could the problem be.. :/

 

problem solved