Question-------------------------
Hello it's me again. I was wondering how I can safely take out the radio without another spark or any fire hazard. Then, I was wondering what wires I should check for 12v (I believe that's what it is).
Thank you again.
Followup To
Question -
My mom has a 1991 Geo Metro 4dr hatchback. A while back her radio just stopped working, the cause is unknown though thought to maybe have something to do with the battery. The radio wouldn't power up and there was nothing lit up and no sound being produced. I took the cover off and there was a red light flashing...but there is no alarm system in this car. I am not sure what the red light means, but when I pressed the reset button and held it, it stopped flashing. When I let go, it flashed again.
It was a while until I actually looked at it (this car isn't used for much but work) but I figured I would try to fix it. I know this isn't advised, but I read up and figured it wouldn't be hard.
I started by checking all the fuses. All were well. I then took out the deck and traced the ground and memory wire to a small fuse box with a single fuse in it. I popped the fuse out to check it, and had a spark fly up at my face.
I then took off the neg. battery cable to put the fuse back in and left it alone after that.
I am hoping that you can help me or know someone who can help me do this myself. I find it pointless to replace the stereo in this old crappy car.
What is the cause of this problem? Also, what happened with that fuse? I know there are several things that it could be...but I just want a general reply.
Thank you and sorry this was so long.
Answer -
Red LED is likely a simple theft deterent device. They work very well, IF you remove the faceplate so people can see them.
Of course, removing the faceplate is probably more effective at deterring theft, but the LED really stands out once the faceplate is off.
At a glance, most thieves will move on to a 'simpler looking' vehicle and system [once they see an LED flashing].
This LED only tells you that the deck has 'some' power available.
The way I see this (sparks included), there are two options:
1) Pull the deck and benchtest it (out of the vehicle) to see if it works properly. This will help to determine if the headunit [or the cars' wiring for it] is causing the problems.
2) A full rewire for the deck, including new power, memory, ground and spaker wires.
And probably in this order.
If you need step by steps for the rewrire... let me know.
Answer..how I can safely take out the radio without another spark or any fire hazard.
"I then took off the neg. battery cable to put the fuse back in and left it alone after that."
Sounds like you already know how to do this safely. Unhook the battery FIRST, from now on.
As to how to wire it to 12v in the car, do that after you test it out of the vehicle. The deck may be bad and that is the BEST way to test it, safely.
IF the deck is ok you can run a new fused 18 gauge power wire for it in the car off of the fuse block. You can also get constant (again, fused) 12v from the fuse block. Then, a short chassis ground will make sure the deck gets all the power the it requires.
This way, you know the layout of how these wires.
