Homejob wiring issue

[bowzzzer]

Hi All,

have gotten some handy info off this board already. Live in remote WA so it's been really useful for me.

Have recently purchased an 01 Hilux, dualcab, 3L diesel. Happy with it for sure, but a bit of work to be done and living so far from civilisation means I'm doing it myself.

First thing I'm tackling is a short. The 15A dome fuse blows after 2-3 seconds of popping in a new one. Unfortunately I've run out of fuses and have to wait for my box of 50 and multimeter to come with the postie which might be a while yet.

Pulled off the dash panels to see if it was anything obvious and one thing has stuck out. The previous owner has installed an aftermarket stereo (aftermarket immobiliser and spotties too, but they're both working fine) and run a wire which I don't entirely understand.

Basically they've crimped in a thickish wire (3-4mm), black outer with red inner, on to the blue-yellow at 1J - 12, just below the junction. This wire runs over to the stereo and has been soldered into a 3-way connection with the stereo's yellow 12v constant + blue/yellow from the wiring harness. I got my diagrams from hilux4x4.co.za/manual if anyone is interested.

I'm not really sure what this is for, but they have also cut the wire and left it hanging so that the 3-way connection is still there, just the black with red is hanging loose. Have taped it off, it still popped a fuse though.

Any idea what this wire is for? Should I remove it given it's just hanging? Suggestions on good place to look for the short?

Cheers, Bowzzzer

[Manxman]

Stereo end is permanent 12v for display and memory. Stereo power for output is red and black. See where the red wire is connected. It may be on a small current circuit and need tranfering or rewiring. Pity u can't turn down the volume as I suspect that would save the fuses.

[Manxman]

Modern stereo is 4x 45W. Needs at least 20A supply if Ur going to run bass or wind it up. Its the red and black pair of the stereo and their wires need to be short length and thick as practical. The red is switched in the stereo to turn it on?/off. The yellow is the memory wire. The other wires in pair by colour for the speakers and an electric antenna wire is commonly present. Make sure it's not shorted. Easy way to save fuses is detach front panel until u have time to repair properly

[Manxman]

As that tours it off

[bowzzzer]

Thanks Ross,

will pull it apart over the weekend and re-check the wiring of the stereo. Have had it fire up once only for the fuse to burn out a few seconds later though.

I'll post the wiring (cut connectors off) when I have it too in case anyone else has a similar homejob they're looking at.

[bowzzzer]

So I got my fuses, but not my multimeter. Thought I'd at least do some trial and error.

Had the stereo working but smelt smoke and after about 10-15 seconds the unit started smoking. Disconnected the battery immediately. Made a new ground wire and then it kept blowing fuses again.

So here is my wiring:

CAR - STEREO

Blue/Yellow - Yellow

Gray - Red

Brown - Black - Additonal 4mm 15amp wire grounded to stereo chassis.

LOOSE - Blue

LOOSE - Orange/White

Green - Loose

Speaker wires I'm certain I have right.

The new ground I ran is to the stereo chassis as unfortunately there isn't much metal behind my dash. Did all my connections with crimps rather than just twists/tape as it was previously but no dice. Disconnected the stereo and my fuse has stopped blowing so at least I have my interior light, although DOOR isn't working with the front passenger side (not sure if it's related so thought I should mention it).

Will pick up my multimeter this week - any hints on where to look for my short?

[Thrillhouse]

I would be chopping out all three (red, yellow, black) and running new cables for all three. The problem is more than likely somewhere that the previous owner had run a dodgy cable that's going to ground. The black is ground and of the red and yellow, one is ignition 12v+ and one is memory +. If you trace them one at a time you should be able to replace pretty easily. Maybe bump up the cable size also.

The ignition wire will go to a bus/fuse block of some kind that runs of ignition, and the memory will go to a permanent supply bus/fuse block. Same place your clock power will come from.

Sorry if that's not much help. It's hard to diagnose these problems over the internet haha.