Car Stereos: instalation, broken wires, future shop

Question
QUESTION: why does my car stereo turn off as soon as i turned it off when i have just installed it? the display doesnt come up but the stereo says see you and turns off
ANSWER: Hi Dan

Are you saying that your car stereo turns off as soon as you turn your car off?  Explain in a little more detail what's happening.

Thanks!

Dave

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: well whats happening is that when i turn the truck on the stereo turns on for a second and then turns off. but when it turns on for the short time it says goodbye asthough i was turning it off. so i cant seem to get the stereo to stay on and play music only come on and off when i press display or insert a cd. if that helps?

ANSWER: Hey Dan -

Ok, there are a couple of things that could be going on here.  It's tough to not be there to look with my own eyes but I'll try my best.

The problem is one of two things.

Either there is bad wiring (either broken wires or incorrectly installed) OR the actual head unit is defective.

I need to know if you're using an aftermarket "metra" type wiring harness or if you're going directly from the radio's harness into the Ford's wires (did you cut off the factory plug?)

There are ways to test both of these, it just helps to know how you're installing.  Let me know!

Dave


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: yah im just connecting the wires directily and i did take out the stock harnes. its a aftermarket one from future shop


Answer
Hey bud - Try hooking up the wires like this.  Tell me if it works, or if your car doesn't have some of the wire colors I tell you about:

You might want to print this out and take it with you.

Connect the Ford's GREEN/YELLOW wire to the YELLOW wire on the harness.
Connect the Ford's YELLOW/BLACK wire to the RED wire on the harness.
Connect the Ford's BLACK wire to the BLACK wire on the harness.
Connect the Ford's WHITE/GREEN wire to the GREY wire on the harness.
Connect the Ford's BLACK/WHITE wire to the GREY/BLACK wire on the harness.
Connect the Ford's ORANGE/GREEN wire to the WHITE wire on the harness.
Connect the Ford's BLACK/WHITE wire to the WHITE/BLACK wire on the harness.
Connect the Ford's PINK/BLUE wire to the PURPLE wire on the harness.
Connect the Ford's GREEN/ORANGE wire to the PURPLE/BLACK wire on the harness.
Connect the Ford's PINK/GREEN wire to the GREEN wire on the harness.
Connect the Ford's PINK/BLUE wire to the GREEN/BLACK wire on the harness.

An old trick some installers use to find out which speaker is which in the harness is to take a 9volt battery and just tap the speaker wires on the battery, one on positive and one on negative.  The speaker will make a popping sound (it won't damage the speakers, I promise) and it will tell you which speaker the wires are hooked up to.  

Let me know how this works out, I'm here to help.

Thanks!

Dave