Today I attempted to install a head unit in a friend's old work van that his wife bought him for his bday. The van is an 89 Econoline, and I picked up a wiring harness at Walmart. Typically I would test power before continuing onto anything, but I didn't have the key to the van at the time since it was supposed to be a surprise. So I just finished up assuming all would be good. I was wrong

The head unit would not power up. So I had to take everything apart again. After messing around with it for a bit, I got the bright idea to go get my meter out of my van and check voltage. I know, novel idea. I figured out that the ground on the wiring harness is on the 3rd pin from the bottom, while the harness in the van, the ground was the 4th from the bottom. I figured this was the issue. I tried finding a good ground and couldn't really get a clean one anywhere else. So I stripped a very small amount of the wire shielding on the actual ground wire in the van's harness, and temporarily wrapped the radio's ground wire around it. Still nothing. Then I realized that when I touched the radio ground to the van's ground, the dome light when on

Ok, now I don't know what is going on. I could not get it to work. I am not a 12V guy, and am usually pretty good at troubleshooting, but between it being dark out, and a torrential downpour, I just couldn't figure it out.

So now I am thinking that it would be best to just run some new wires to eliminate the headaches of figuring out what is what. I will run a line to the battery for the constant to attach to the yellow power. I will also run a ground somewhere to get a nice clean ground. Third I guess I will run a line into the fuse panel for the switched line (red). Is this the best way to go about solving this issue. I feel badly that I did not get the radio going on his bday and was quite frustrated.

 

That sucks! Would've been better if you had the keys.

 

I'm sure you've already considered this, but wouldn't the ignition need to be on the "accessory" or "on" location for the radio to work? And since you didn't have the keys, how would you be able to check?

I'm sure you've already considered this. Just a thought.





Terry

 

You serious? I have to turn it on?

His wife brought the keys just after we actually finished the install. I should have just waited for her to get them but it was already getting a little dark out and I wanted to try and get it done.

 

Yeah.............

The head unit won't power up until the key is in the "on" position. When you shut off the key, then the radio, or head unit, automatically shuts off.





Terry

 

Ok, I'm just gonna say it. I think we both know the other is using sarcasm here, right?

 

I really hope so.




Terry

 

Ok, good.

Thanks for the "advice"

 

Seriously, I have no idea what the problem would be. I have a 1991 Econoline camper van, and the electrical seems pretty straightforward on it.





Terry

 

I've put head units in several econolines before with no issues. I think the previous owner may have messed with the wiring in the van to rig up some lighting in the rear. I have no idea what they did.

Where is the best place to tap in the switched power? At the fuse panel?