Aftermarket radio on only when lights on

Do this and let us know what your readings are please.

 

You need to figure out if stereo is not powering up because an internal fuse is open or if you're not getting 12vdc to the unit. Follow what guy above me says to do and let us know.

 

I wonder if you let the magic smoke out of any of the wires. It might be a good idea at this point to find someone that has some MM time under their belt.

 

I work in Global Banking now, but way way back when I was finishing High School I got a job at Best Buy as an installer. That's where I began my 12v knowledge. Anyways, installing head units is part of the basics and one thing I was taught early in was "Never, Ever, connect any orange wires!" In fact, on every radio install i did, we ripped the orange wires out if the harness before starting.

Often times they don't even line up with the correct oem wire, and always cause more bad then good. Now after years of experience, I'll connect the orange but not without first verifying myself their polarity and function with a meter. They last thing you wanna do is send ground or 12v up a date wire or speed sense, etc. Luckily your truck is pretty basic without all the tech stuff, but those orange wires will do LOTS of damage on the right car.

Most radios use ambient light sensors now and there's no need for illumination to be connected.

Anyways, good luck. Following for the results. If you were local is help. I think it's time to phone a friend though

 

Maybe it's lighting but the 20 amp in #2 looks dirty, could be busted.

Did you look at the fuse on the actual head unit?

 

#2 is a 15amp. Yes checked under hood

 

I removed wiring from an alarm system and now having trouble soldering the starter wire. Car wont start so another adventure. Im done for today. Stupid trash heat guns in this house!

 

SERIOUSLY BRO DO THIS - All of the guesswork about whether or not you have power will be resolved and you can move on to finding the exact cause.

 

Sorry that was picture before i swapped fuse 20 yo a 15amp for fuse #2. Fuse diagram shows its suppose to ve 15amps but i bought fuse bundle. Will put a new 20 just in case.

 

@ProjectEric2.0
Please do this. I'm really not sure why you haven't yet? Do you have a meter? Or maybe not sure where to put the probes to get the reading correctly? Just asking sincerely, not trying to belittle or anything with the basic questions but in case something else we can help with

 

Not the hood, sir. The head unit..the radio itself.

 

I get 11.84 dcv from yellow, but nothing from red. If its not the fuses its gotta be the power relay right? Will check that later.

 

I get continuity so that means its fine isnt it?

 

Should in theory but at this point it's a basic check and a nice easy fix if so

 

Continuity through a fuse means it's good, yes.

Red wire with no power (key was on?) means you have an issue with that circuit. Since you seem adamant that you've checked all of the fuses, maybe it is related to the car alarm wiring removal, but I can't help you with that from here on the internet. I have no familiarity with what connections it used and what circuit may be open as a consequence.

All I can say is, figure out everything else that doesn't work, possibly cig lighter, dome light, door chime, stuff like that, and verify that the associated power for those things is in tact, starting at the power source.

My money is still on the fuse for DOME

 

I removed old wiring from an alarm. TW helped move in simple removal. Was no power then prior to removing dangling wires. Dome light has power. Yes will check power relay and also put back a new 20amp fuse#2 as ild one was bliwn, but i replaced it with a 15amp fuse per fuse diagram on internet.

Last thing if all fails buy new cig lighter. After that is beyond my skill level. Although i get no continuity checking the power of cig lighter connections and now the radio red wire I doubt its the cig lighter.

Will do a followup.

 

Dad fixed this without me...out of town. Will update post later.

 

He worked this weekend. Here is how it looks lit for now

 

Nice, what song is on the radio?

 

Foo fighters Congrete and Gold album