Fitting car radio unit in old caravan

[Deborah_374579777]

I have recently bought a little old swift where the previous owner has looked after the van very well. They have fitted their own speakers and I guess a radio but taken the radio unit with them, leaving the wires (and speakers.

I have tried to fit a new cd/radio using the old wires and the unit will turn on but only for a few seconds before turning off. So there is obvioulsy power there somewhere, I also think the clock is keeping time even though I can't get the raido or CD to play!

I've taken the unit back to the shop, where it did work (not embarassing at all...).

Anyone got any suggestions? I hate admitting defeat and paying someone else to do it! ;-)

 

[mcghee]

have you connected both the switched and permanent live on your new unit? usually red and red/white or yellow.

it sounds to me like you only wired the permanent live.

 

[JTQ]

Whilst it will not help sort your problem remember that some car radio's will drain your battery even if apparently switched "off".

These radio's must be wired via a switch that replicates the ignition switch that would be in a car; then its fine and can really be switched "off" by that switch. Been there with a "professionally" wired up radio.

 

[Deborah_374579777]

have you connected both the switched and permanent live on your new unit? usually red and red/white or yellow.

it sounds to me like you only wired the permanent live.

Hi mcghee, I think you might have hit the problem there. I only have two wires which I assume are straight from the positive and negative terminals (via the fuse box). Should there be a third one then and if so any idea where it would come from?

Many thanks for your help - I don't think Halfords will know what to do if I take it in anyway ;-)