Here is my fairly specific problem... The radio gets no power when key is turned to aux position, then once the engine is started the radio shows "----" on the screen, as if wrong code is entered. The moment ignition key flicks back to aux mode with engine running theres no power to radio again. I tried waiting an hour as per manual but of course the radio is turning off, so that hour is irrelevant? Seems more like an issue with power source? Just to clarify - in order to keep the radio on I would have to hold the ignition key turned all the way with the starter motor whining. Not possible for the hour needed!! Thanks to anyone who might be able to help!!
You have it wired wrong. You need to find a wire that has constant power when the ignition is turned on and no power when the igniton is turned off. It sounds like you have the switched source wire from the radio harness wired to the ignnition to starter solenoid wire. This would explain why it has no power when the key is in the aux position but has power when starting the engine.
Hi merc, thanks for this. I should have said that i've not fitted this myself. It was already in the car when i received it. Would this be something I could solve on my own as someone who has no idea about car radios but can find a wire and do a bit of soldering? I've downloaded a manual also. Thanks again.
You will need either a volatge meeter or test light to find the wire. It won't be to hard. Here is what should be hooked up power wise from the stereo's harness Black wire to ground Red wire to constant source Yellow wire to switched source
Upon realisation that i don't even know what a carrier is, I took the plunge and visited my local car accessory store. Brought a new sony head unit and paid for fitting. The guy did exactly as you said and used a tester on the cables and said he couldn't get a voltage from any of them. Fitting cost refunded i've kept the head unit. The old unit was factory fitted and i'm assuming worked at some time. I know the car was recently jump started - could this be where the problem lay? I'd hate for this to cost me a fortune!! Any help would be fab.
