New HU, causing dash light problems?

simonsiknasty · Oct 8th, 2009, 07:19 AM

Hey guys,
I recently installed a Panasonic CQ-RX322W HU to replace the stock cassette player in my 1995 Presea. I wired it all myself, and wired all corresponding wires, save a dark green / red wire, which has its end taped in insulation tape.
I noticed a couple of days ago that my dashboard lights are no longer working when I turn the headlights on.
After a quick Google search, it seems that the problem is most probably being caused by an issue with the wiring during the installation of the aftermarket HU.

I presume that the issue has something to do with that stray wire, so help me out here people... Any help would be greatly appreciated

**JNCoRacer** · Oct 8th, 2009, 12:18 PM

Were they lighting up before and this is something that started recently? Or was it like this since you installed the HU?
First things first... check your dimmer switch.

simonsiknasty · Oct 8th, 2009, 04:04 PM

They were most definitely lighting up before, so I am pretty convinced that it was the HU installation that has caused this.
Where would I locate my dimmer switch?

Faja · Oct 8th, 2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simonsiknasty

They were most definitely lighting up before, so I am pretty convinced that it was the HU installation that has caused this.
Where would I locate my dimmer switch?

I'm a little confused by your answer to JNCo's question

So I'll pose this to you

1. After you installed the new HU, were your dash lights still working and then all of a sudden they stopped?

2. or did they stop working right after you installed the HU?

If it's number 1, then I would check all the other wiring harnesses under your dash and make sure all the wires are firmly connected to the appropriate harnesses and harnesses are attached tightly to one another. It's possible you loosened something while attempting to install the new radio and it only manifested itself a few days later.

If it's number 2, then yes it's very possible that spare wire might have something to do with it but I'm not sure where you plug it to. Try gounding it and see what happens, don't think it will do any harm.

**JNCoRacer** · Oct 8th, 2009, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simonsiknasty

They were most definitely lighting up before, so I am pretty convinced that it was the HU installation that has caused this.
Where would I locate my dimmer switch?

Your dimmer switch should be on the dash somewhere. Ive often turned it down all the way when cleaning my interior.
One way to check...turn your lights on. If your park lights are on on the outside of the car then most likely your fuse is good.

simonsiknasty · Oct 8th, 2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

After you installed the new HU, were your dash lights still working and then all of a sudden they stopped?

I am not too sure, but a couple of days after the installation I turned the lights on and noticed that the dash lights did not work. I had not used my dash lights since installing it so I presume that they stopped working right after I installed the HU.

**JNCoRacer** · Oct 8th, 2009, 09:24 PM

Start checking fuses then.

simonsiknasty · Oct 9th, 2009, 02:23 AM

Will do.

simonsiknasty · Oct 18th, 2009, 03:55 AM

Hey guys,
Been a while since I was last with my car, but had a chance to have a look today, and I found that the park lights are not working as well. Which leads me to believe that I simply blew a fuse when I was installing the HU.
I'll get it replaced next weekend.
Thanks for the tips guys