Ferrari Mailing List: Re: More Stereo Installation & Wiring Expertise Needed

[Robert W. Garven Jr. (rgarven]

Dear Friends,

I have good and bad news, the good news is the kenwood KDC-MP342U is  
installed and sounds great 22 watts RMSx4 USB Drive and sounds  
unbelievable from the 6" Boston Acoustics Door Speakers and 6x9 Boston  
Acoustics speakers I mounted in shallow boxes behind the seats.

The bad news is the stereo only works with the engine off......

Here is what I tried
1. Red power wire to fuse #4 rear defroster, Yellow Memory wire to  
Factory radio wire, ground to factory fusebox & relay ground point.  
Unit does not work unless you turn the ignition switch to ACC. It also  
goes off when you turn the starter until the engine starts. Result  
yesterday I got lots of ignition noise toady the unit says "Protect"  
which the manual says that the speaker wire has a short circuit which  
it doesn't. I spent hours crimping, marking checking and rechecking  
the wires.  Also it works perfectly when the engine is off or the  
ignition is on ACC.

2. I hooked both red and yellow wires to the factory radio power wire,  
same "Protect" warning.

3. I hooked the box that I assume was a filter in between the power  
and ground wires, same "Protect" warning.

4. I hooked both red and yellow wires to the power lead of the filter  
box and the ground to the ground wires, same "Protect" warning. I  
hooked this up to the factory grey wires, and to the #4 fuse wire,  
same "Protect" warning.

5. I hooked both red & yellow wires to the #4 fuse, same "Protect"  
warning.

6. I hooked up a new ground wire from the passenger seat rail, same  
"Protect" warning.

I am at a complete loss the unit worked every time with the engine off  
or with the ignition switch turned to ACC. I cleaned up my tools and  
decided to ask again for any help or suggestions. I am wondering since  
the powwer antenna and the radio or on the same circuit if that is  
what is causing the short circuit. I also know that even if I got the  
unit to work I would have the horrible static noise.

Rob
depressed and confused

here is the f-chat saga with photos

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=138605244#post138605244



Robert W. Garven Jr.
rgarven [at] gmail.com


 "The Ferrari is a dream - people dream of owning this special  
vehicle and for most people it will remain a dream apart from for  
those lucky few". Enzo Ferrari






On Apr 11, 2009, at 11:21 AM, Robert W. Garven Jr. wrote:

> All,
>
> As you know Ive been trying to tackle a better stereo in my 75 GT4
> with mixed results. I have not found a CD player that would mount
> vertically but have found a high power Kenwood
> KDC-MP342U which has a USB port that I can plug a micro thumb drive in
> that works great. I recently placed one in my driver a 1998 Isuzu
> Rodeo. I am really happy with every aspect
> of this head unit but know I will have to take out my center console
> and do some cutting to make it fit.
>
> Here is my question and here is where Paul might be able to help. This
> unit needs to be turned off at the ignition or it will slowly sap the
> battery (something that makes no sense to me). The
> 75 GT4 has several devices, antenna and radio which work all the time
> and are independent of the ignition being on.  Is there some way that
> I can tie on to another fuse or set up some kind
> of relay to make this happen. Remember this is not my area of
> expertise, and I just spent 3 months with a small subwoofer which I
> failed to get working and tossed the whole setup. I was
> thinking of a toggle off on switch but thought something simpler that
> I would not forget to switch off would be better.  Any suggestion will
> be highly appreciated.
>
>
> Robert W. Garven Jr.
> rgarven [at] gmail.com
>
>
>  "The Ferrari is a dream - people dream of owning this special
> vehicle and for most people it will remain a dream apart from for
> those lucky few". Enzo Ferrari