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Did I short out my unswitched power wire?

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=17153
Printed Date: June 16, 2024 at 12:32 AM


Topic: Did I short out my unswitched power wire?

Posted By: epm1986
Subject: Did I short out my unswitched power wire?
Date Posted: August 04, 2003 at 6:49 PM

I have a '93 Honda Civic. I was uninstalling a Sirius radio receiver and must have touched the "hot" (unswitched) wire to the frame. The wire was connected to the Constant 12V+ coming into the radio. (I thought the wire was switched.) Anyway, now the Constant 12V+ wire does not supply power to the radio. Also, the clock must be on the same wire, since it resets every time the ignition power is turned off.

The 15 Amp fuse to the radio is not blown, so my questions are these: is the wire shorted, or can there be another cause to this problem? If the wire is shorted, what are my options (short of re-wiring the car?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!!!

Thanks!



Replies:

Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: August 04, 2003 at 7:04 PM
It defiantly sounds like a blown fuse to me. Did you check the fuse with a continuity tester? Are you sure it’s the right fuse? Some times you can look at a fuse and it will look good when in fact it is bad.




Posted By: epm1986
Date Posted: August 04, 2003 at 7:09 PM
I took out the old fuse and added the "extra" fuse that Honda provides, and same problem either way. (Both fuses were 15 Amp, but both came with the car, meaning they are 10 years old????). I did not check the fuse with a continuity tester.

Assuming the fuses are not blown, any other ideas?




Posted By: esmith69
Date Posted: August 04, 2003 at 7:21 PM

that's gotta be a blown fuse.  It's probably not one of them that's labeled as "radio" though.  Easiest way is just to continuity check every fuse in the fuse box (you don't have to remove them to do this, just touch the test leads to the two exposed conductors on top of each fuse).  Eventually you will find one that's blown.



-------------
Ethan
-----
"Patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success"
Donate to the12volt.com




Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: August 04, 2003 at 7:22 PM
I would check your owners manual and double check that you are replacing the correct fuse. Also check it for any other fuses that may power the radio and or clock.




Posted By: fuseblower
Date Posted: August 05, 2003 at 9:48 AM

If you don't have any testers to check the fuses without removing them I recommend pulling all fuses and checking them individually.  This is timing consuming but much cheaper than taking your car to the shop.





Posted By: wvsquirrel
Date Posted: August 05, 2003 at 10:12 AM
Also don't forget to check under the hood. Many cars have a seperate fuse box(s) in the engine compartment that can play havoc if one of those fuses was blown

-------------
Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
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Posted By: anonymous
Date Posted: August 05, 2003 at 11:27 AM
The constant power fuse supply for '93 Civics is labeled backup, and is in the fusebox under the hood by the battery. Usually it is a 7.5 amp fuse.
Happy Metering
Anonymous




Posted By: epm1986
Date Posted: August 06, 2003 at 3:40 AM
Thanks all, especially Anonymous. That was exactly the problem -- I never would have thought that "Backup" was the constant power fuse and the Owner's Manual and Chilton's offered no help at all.
Thanks again, everyone, for saving me hours of hassle!!!
ED




Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: August 06, 2003 at 9:41 AM
good to hear





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