So I'm staring at the wires that run to the LEDs so I can hack them out and replace them with some REAL neons (located behind the plastic cover in front of the shifter)....I trace the wires to their corresponding lights and go snip - poof there goes the radio along with the intended affect of killing the lights. Lights I don't care about, the radio I need! How the crap did the radio go out? Randode told me earlier to check the fuses (I cut the red and black simultaneously...duh me), but I can't find the one for the radio...the diagrams don't help either. Is the stereo fuse in the engine bay box or the one inside the dash by the hood pop? I'd like to get my radio working again! The entire unit is down, it won't even power up (stock unit, btw). Help! Please!

 

If I recall correctly the radio runs off three separate circuits: the dome light circuit (fuse in engine compartment) and the gauge light and accessory circuits (fuses on driver's side). If it doesn't power up at all I'd check the accessory (cigarette lighter) circuit first.

 

When you do this.. do you unplug the battery just for safety? :?

 

Situation has been remedied - twas the accessory fuse after all - now everything (including lights) works again. No, I didn't disconnect the battery (usually do though) because I wanted to be sure I was wiring everything properly and wished to be able to check without getting out and reconnecting everything. However, the inconvenience posed by dis/reconnecting the battery every time I wish to check is tiny compared to burning up the car....point taken. Thanks guys!

 

You might have shorted it out when you cut the postive and negative wires at the same time. Even if the device is off and unplugged, there still could be residual power left in the system from the capacitors. They can hold charge for quite a while after the device is turned off. Check the PCB (printed circuit board) for black spots where capacitors or resistors may have fried or any other signs of damage.

If your not experienced or familiar with electronics and circuitry, cutting wires is not a smart thing to do. Sometimes cutting some wires will cut off the whole board. Sometimes it may end up shorting out the whole thing or destroying it.

 

Skip all the headaches, and purchase 5 hour old Stock JDM Pioneer radio. For the Lo-Lo of the Fidy bucks plus shipping and handeling.