Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Help! Installing new head unit but not powering on

I'm trying to install a Kenwood KDC-515S head unit in my 98 Contour GL. I bought the wiring harness from circuit city, then spliced that harness and the one from the head unit together with directions from install Doctor (www.installdr.com). I went to turn it on but nothing. So I unplugged everything and plugged the OLD STOCK radio in and now it won't even turn on. I do not have premium sound. I checked the fuse under the dash and it was fine (seems like 7.5 is small though?). I tested the +12 volt ignition wire in the stock harness and it is getting power, I also hooked up the new harness that I made (circuit city + one from new radio) and tested the ignition wire on that end with no problems. I'm out of ideas, I tried the reset button on the new head unit, no luck. What could it be that even the old radio isn't working now?!?!?!

Please help, I'm going nuts!

Did you check both the 12V constant (yellow) and the 12V switched (red) wires for voltage?

The 7.5 sounds like it's for the constant--the switched radio fuse on the Contour is at least 10A if I remember correctly.

I just checked the red wire, I'll check the yellow one tomorrow. Also, could the ground have been nocked loose somehow, where does it terminate, could I check it?

Thanks for the feedback

I doubt you knocked the ground loose, but you could do a continuity check between the ground wire and a metal part of the vehicle's chassis.

Even if the ground is knocked loose, the radio will still work if the antenna is plugged in, since the antenna also provides a ground (although it's not supposed to be the only one!)

Well, I figured it out. The interior light fuse was blown. I didn't know that would cause the radio to stop working. I hate it when stupid little things like this come up!!

thanks for all the help,
Chris