NE1 in Orange County willing to teach/fix/diagn.a stereo?

[flaquitokid]

Hey everyone, So I'm like basically an engineering student at Cal Poly Pomona and I can't figure out what's wrong with my stupid stereo. I haven't had a working stereo since I bought the car.... Sept 11, 2007. I am the type that likes to know how things work yet not smart enough to figure it out on my own. :facepalm:

I have a sony explode and the previous owner didn't use a harness kit and just crimped everything together, from what I can tell they are all right.... and checked the wiring diagram and from what I can tell (which isn't that reliable) it's fine and cd plays good.... BUT the problem is that It get like untouchably hott around 50secs...and anything it's touching in the dash starts SMOKING LOL... and never had a radio.

With the car so old most of my extra money goes to fixing the car just so it can still get me to school...so it's been hard to take it to a shop...plus a shop would never explain anything... which is what I really want.

So I was wondering if there was anyone out there that would be chill with spending maybe an hour or so showing me to fix my stereo...and show me how I can fix it and tell me why it was doing what it was doing for Like $20??.. I know it's not a lot nd i'm sorry . I'd appreciate it tons.

Thanks in advance.

[bladetech8]

Come on there buddy, your making us Engineers look bad.. :mepoke:

lol anywhoo.. If something's getting toasty hot like that, I can almost guarantee you that power (+12V) and Ground are shorting out somewhere.. First off get yourself a test-light or a damn voltmeter and check the connection(s) ESPECIALLY the Red/Black wire (Constant +12v) and the Blue wire (Switched +12v) which I honestly think it may be the blue one since you say its gets hot when its on.. Also make sure that nothing didn't short out anywhere behind the connector/near the back of the dash or whatever.. Then if all the connections outside from the head unit are fine, then I'd say you may want to consider looking for a new head unit because the one you have may be shorting out somewhere internally..

Goodluck and here's a very useful link:

240SX Stereo Wiring:
http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/stereodetail/1596.html


Now get to work! Nothing is going to teach you more than getting balls deep with it!