Dash Wiring

Quicksilver · Post by **Quicksilver** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 12:50 pm

Hiya,
Does anyone know if there is a more suitable feed for the stereo behind the dash that is live all the time, as my stereo has a nice flashing blue led deterrent when switched off. The blue wire in the Mazda loom looks totally inadequate an my stereo is dimming and struggling.
I will be fitting a LB at some point but a simple solution would be to use a scotchlock connector and tap in to an existing live feed. Also what is the factory fitted small unit that takes power for the antenna? is it an expander, amplifier, suppressor...is it needed or can it be bypassed?
Thanks in advance.

waycar8 · Post by **waycar8** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 1:04 pm

The blue/red wire is the permenant live Quicksilver

it may be a expander??, do you get all the radio stations? if so then it is an expander, if you only get radio2 or some other crap radio station then its not a band expander.

Quicksilver · Post by **Quicksilver** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 1:08 pm

Thanks Waycar8, Ill go and have a look now, Where is it located?What does it connect to/ supply?
Im concerned that the wiring in the existing loom just isnt up to the job and want to take the feed from somewhere else.
Cheers.

waycar8 · Post by **waycar8** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 1:10 pm

Quicksilver wrote:Thanks Waycar8, Ill go and have a look now, Where is it located?What does it connect to/ supply?
Im concerned that the wiring in the existing loom just isnt up to the job and want to take the feed from somewhere else.
Cheers.

Its behind the stereo, in the loom, i have wired my stereo/dvd player into it and it works fine

Quicksilver · Post by **Quicksilver** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 1:29 pm

Hi, Thanks again, The blue red wire in the loom is as you have said permanent live, however its the size of a gnats ... and I dont think enough to drive 4x65watts, the dvd struggles and dimms when changing from radio to dvd or ipod,hence I reckon it would make sense to bypass it and find a more suitable feed. I do get all radio stations but surley thats down to the new stereo I have fitted. Thanks.

waycar8 · Post by **waycar8** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 1:37 pm

Ah right thought you was talking about the origional jap stereo as most importers fit a band expander rather than putting a new stereo in, so i dont know what the said item is

As for the permanent live

only thing is you rewire a seperate live either up to the battery itself or into the back of main fuse box by the drivers footwell

Quicksilver · Post by **Quicksilver** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 1:43 pm

Yea, Ta, Thats what I was thinking, the antenna module has power to it from the said blue/red wire!
Ill get the multimeter out and find a feed from the fusebox.
Thanks again!

waycar8 · Post by **waycar8** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 1:55 pm

Quicksilver wrote:Yea, Ta, Thats what I was thinking, the antenna module has power to it from the said blue/red wire!

does your bongo have an electric aerial?, if not the module doesnt need to be powered

thus giving more power to your stereo

Quicksilver · Post by **Quicksilver** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 2:14 pm

mm, interesting thought, ill disconnect it and see if that helps before I started messing about with the fuse box.
Standard aerial fitted.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 2:40 pm

It sounds like the module going to the antenna is signal booster box, these are generally useless anyway,if there is no difference in reception,then bypass it.

Im suprised the permanent live is strugglig to provide enough juice to the head unit,perhaps it uses more as it a dvd player too?

I have a dvd/head unit too, and the standard wiring (via the ISO connector) works just fine.

It may be worth checking the continuity of the cable at both ends, to see if you get a uniform reading.

Quicksilver · Post by **Quicksilver** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 3:10 pm

Hi Guys, mystery one solved!
The antenna box is part of a panasonic cd changer that was located in the rear of the van when I bought it. It worked by sending a signal on fm to the radio, a bit like the units you can now buy for an ipod if you dont have a direct connection. It has now been duly ripped out and disconnected.
I think ill leave it a day or 2 now and see if there is any difference in the performance of the stereo on the existing wiring and I shall report back!
Thanks again folks.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 3:17 pm

Yip...ok quicksilver...keep us posted

Quicksilver · Post by **Quicksilver** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 10:43 pm

Said Id report back!
The stereo is still misbehaving so when I get a chance I have decided to run a seperate live feed to the iso connector and bypass the existing wiring. When then keys are removed the stereo does not receive power and only retains is memory as it has a back up battery.....I think!
If you have a look at the original wiring loom that feeds the stereo you will notice that it is less than adequate to power anything other than the original factory fit stereo so a rewire has to be a good move.

2sticks · Post by **2sticks** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 10:40 am

The permanent 12 volt supply is only there to provide power for the radio
memory functions and as such draws very little power.

The main power is provided from an ignition "ON" supply but I can't remember
the wiring colour codes. You should be able to find it with a voltmeter and
turning the ignition switch to ACC On/Off.

waycar8 · Post by **waycar8** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 12:50 pm

The permanent live is the blue/red wire.