Help with aftermarket radio install on a 90 C4

Flame Red · 09-05-2009, 11:10 PM

Folks,

Need some help with a aftermarket radio install on a 90. In the C4 FAQ section, they point to this linky http://www.corvetteforum.net/c4/dave8476/index4.shtml

I wired it up as I believe it should be but I see that overnight my battery died and I am wondering if I might have wired it wrong.

In the diagram, It shows to run the two 1K ohm 1/2 watt resisters from an ignition source (conveniently found in the new radio harness) to two places. On page 8A-117-2 of the service manual and the link, it shows this as connector C1 (and pins 2 & 3). I believe these are on one of the two connectors (no longer used) that used to connect to the old head unit.

These connectors are show in the service manual on Page 8A-202-23 and labeled C1 (7-way F Micro-Pack 100 series) and C2 (9 way F-micro Pack 100 Series). I believe these two circuits are Pins 2 & 3 on connector C1 - the one with 7 pins. Only problem is that the color of the wires don't match the service manual. They say that pin 2 should be white/red and ping 3 should be orange. There were no such color wires on either connector.

So I think I am draining my battery because I connected this up to the wrong place.

If you did this job, where did you connect up these resisters?

Help, I am on day #3 of this baer of a job. I would not mind except that it is inferno setting here in Florida and I don't need a dead battery every day!

Hopefully I can just pull the head unit out to correct this. If I did do it wrong.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Edit: I found this nice thread: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/audi...post1571258170

I have auto air and I am wondering it I really needed the resisters in the first place?!?! If my battery dies overnight again, I think I'll just cut them and see if my problem goes away.

GKK · 09-06-2009, 01:27 AM

In my "91", I connected the two 1/2 watt resistors to the wire connector that was disconnected from the back of the stock radio. I didn't cut the wire harness as you have, I disconnected the wire harness from the back of the radio and cut and spliced in the two resistors onto the two end wires on that harness (if I remember correctly, it's been a few years).

The two 1/2 watt resistors were connected to the end two wires on the wire harness. I think the wires were purple/black and grey/black but, don't pay attention to the colors as long as it's connected to the two End wires.

Too, make sure you connected to the correct wires, turn the ignition switch to accessory and power up the radio. Play some music for a few minutes and if the "SYS" light stays off, you've got it right.

Flame Red · 09-06-2009, 11:05 AM

Thanks for that reply. You said first two leads, and I have used the second and third leads. Maybe it is different for a 90.

Anyway, I have auto AC and I am thinking I might not need this. Looks like those leads are common to the AC controller. Anyway, I don't seem to be getting any SYS codes - but the car is just parked in the garage in a billion pieces. I'll have to take it for a long ride to make sure.

Maybe I should have let a pro install this. It is just too hot here to do this time of year.

A couple things I learned. I got a Kenwood DVX6140. I really like this head unit. But DO NOT get the Kenwood HR200 HD receiver. When you plug it into the head unit, the power antenna lead no longer works and your antenna will not move! This seems to be a well documented problem but of course I did not know this until after I tried it.

I also got a DOA Kenwood SW-10 sub-woofer. I hate buying over the Internet. Now I'll have to wait for weeks till I get a replacement since it is grey market merchandise.

I also go screwed because the speakers I ordered over the internet will not arrive till next week because of a order snaffu. I HATE flea-bay. Seller says in stock - right - BS. Finally admits he gets everything directly from manufacturer. Instead I got some trashy speaker from Worst Buy. I just don't feel like replacing them again. and returning them to Worst Buy. Going to try to refuse accepting delivery.

That and the requisite skinned up hands, broken back, extra screws I have no idea where they go, etc, etc, etc.

At least I did not do more damage than I fixed

GKK · 09-06-2009, 01:56 PM

Yes, definately try the radio Before splicing in the resistors because they might not be needed.

I always buy from either of these audio sites.

http://onlinecarstereo.com/

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/cat_i857_-car-audio.html

http://www.parts-express.com/car-audio.cfm

Flame Red · 09-06-2009, 08:17 PM

Well it looks like I am screwed.

Driving the car, the volt meter usually reads 14 volts or better, but it was hovering around 12 instead. The alternator warning light did NOT come on, but something is causing a significant current drain.

I put a charger on the battery and it is charging like crazy. The battery is only a couple of months old so it would be a weird coincidence that the battery went bad at the same time.

Oh joy, electrical diagnostics - one of my favorite things just below root canals. I am thinking it is those resisters. But it should not be draining the battery with the car off!

Hopefully I set it up so the head unit will slide right out really easy. I would hate to think of having to do that dash tear down again! I'll start by disconnecting the resisters and see if the SYS sets.

So sad, I love the new head unit!