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New head unit - now no dash lights

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=11436
Printed Date: August 13, 2025 at 1:08 AM


Topic: New head unit - now no dash lights

Posted By: Chris_lewis
Subject: New head unit - now no dash lights
Date Posted: March 25, 2003 at 1:29 PM

I have just installed a new head unit in my car (citroen Saxo) and have used the harness supplied with it.  The stereo works fine but now the lights which light up the dials on my dash no longer work.

Can anyone tell me what i have done wrong?

TIA




Replies:

Posted By: vseven
Date Posted: March 25, 2003 at 2:36 PM
Last time I did this I ended up wiring the ground of the radio to the illumination lead on the car. When the lights are off the illumination lead looks like a ground, until you turn on your lights. Then it usually blows a fuse, which seems to short out the illumination lead to ground and keep the radio working. Pull the ground wire from the radio and ground it to some metal of the car or a known good ground wire and replace your fuse (which is probably blown).

Allan




Posted By: vseven
Date Posted: March 25, 2003 at 2:40 PM
Last time I did this I ended up wiring the ground of the radio to the illumination lead on the car. When the lights are off the illumination lead looks like a ground, until you turn on your lights. Then it usually blows a fuse, which seems to short out the illumination lead to ground and keep the radio working. Pull the ground wire from the radio and ground it to some metal of the car or a known good ground wire and replace your fuse (which is probably blown). Theres an article in Crutchfields tech support site here: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-pd3XJdF5Bcj/tech/kb32.html that may be of some help

Allan




Posted By: rick_21_69
Date Posted: March 25, 2003 at 6:19 PM
what make and model of vehicle do you have.maybe you have to wire the illumination wire to your ignition wire




Posted By: Chris_lewis
Date Posted: March 27, 2003 at 2:25 AM
Thanks guys,  I did indeed have the illumination wire grounded and had blown the fuse.  sorted now and i can see how fast i am going at night  :)





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