1993 Maxima Radio Replacement

Yes, it won't come on without a ground. But the outside of the cigarette lighter is always ground as is likely the screw holding the radio in. You said you had switched power, but do you have the constant +12 wired as well?

Yes, I have both switched and constant. I have the constant wire going to the radio's memory wire.

So you're saying that either location should be a good ground?

Thanks! Joe

Yes, I have both switched and constant. I have the constant wire going to the radio's memory wire.

So you're saying that either location should be a good ground?

Thanks! Joe

Another quick question:

If I wired up the radio without a ground could the radio be damaged?

Thanks! Joe

No, that won't hurt it. If you have power to both the constant and switched and a ground connection, I'd say it's probably defective. Take it under the hood, tie the constant and switched leads together. Hold them on the + battery terminal and touch the case of the radio to the - terminal. If it still doesn't come on, it's bad.

Thanks Jim!

I already returned one today to Wal-Mart because I thought it was defective. Might be it was just a ground problem.

Joe

JimV wrote:

In my Nissans screwing the radio in (mounting) grounded it, also the antenna connection would ground it.

Gary K

I tried JimV's suggestion and connected the radio directly to the battery and it came on.

I knew there was power on the switched wire but I never checked for power on the constant 12v. I connected the switched power wire to both switched and constant leads on the radio and again it came one.

So it looks like the constant power wire is dead. Does anyone know where I can tap into constant power on any of the other wires in the radio area?

THANKS again for everybody's help.

Joe

Cigarette lighter would work.

My original Bose radio was corroded and not fixable.

I checked the fuses yesterday but not today.

If I use the cigarette lighter does anyone know which wire would have the power?

Thanks again, Joe

FINAL QUESTION

I found the power wire in the cigarette lighter. Not too hard since there are only 2 wires. :-)

Can I just cut and splice in a new wire to go to the radio? Do I have to disconnect the negative connector on the battery or just cut the wire.

Thanks, Joe

It would be safer to remove the negative cable first. You had the Bose system? Did you get an adapter that was made for that? Are you planning to use the factory speakers? It might not work.

Yes I got the converter from speaker level to line level at Wal-Mart and got the wiring adaptor from Crutchfield. I tested it out using the output of an MP3 player after connecting the amp wire to the switched wire. Sound came out great!

Looks like I spoke too soon.

Looks like the cigarette power is switched.

Can anyone please point in the right direction to find constant power?

Thanks again, Joe