Introduction and problem

[Simbashad]

Hi
Just joined the forum after buying a 79 Spit. It was in excellent shape confirmed when I tore out the old interior and could have a look inside the wheel wells etc...no rust whatsoever. The paint is great and I am having the seats redone at a local North Bay shop. I only have one problem that so far. The stereo is a Pioneer CD/radio and the fuse located at the back of the unit itself keeps blowing. Electrics are not my thing but here is what I did.

1. took the radio out and noticed that the ground was not connected to anything.
2. There are two wires under the dash that look like the ground should plug into. One is a double black wire into a plug the other is a red wire with white spiralled around it. Again two wires into a plug.
3. Tried every combination but still blows the fuse.
4. Finally I held the ground from the radio against bare metal and it worked for about 2 seconds before blowing. The ground was not held on the bare metal very well and just holding it with my fingers.
5. Gave up after an hour and decided to join a forum or take it to the garage to get it fixed.

By the way the map light doesn't work either and went down at the same time the radio stopped working.

Anyone in North Bay?

Ted A

 

[MDCanaday]

Ted, welcome to a great forum where all questions get an answer. I would advise that you not charge under the dash blindly. Get a schematic for your car and a test light. Never think the worst,look for simple things(fuses,bad grounds,ect). Sounds like the stereo was poorly installed, but who needs to listen to more than a good Triumph at full song???????
MD(mad dog)

 

[steve99]

Welcome Ted,

I agree with MD as well, the problem sounds like it could be a simple one, but I would strongly advise obtaining a schematic and a meter before you look for the solution.

Steve

 

[Sherlock]

Hi Ted,

I can't help you much with electrics (see below in my signature...)

But I have phone numbers/contact information of British car contacts in your area, and from talking to some people in the past I think there is a local British car club of sorts in the North Bay region.

Private message me if you want more information.

 

[78Z]

here's the wiring diagram for your car: LINK (1.1MB)

 

[gjh2007]

Ted:

You could isolate the radio completely by taking it out & hooking it up directly to a spare battery. I would assume the radio has myriad of speaker wires, usually bundled together & then a black (ground) & red to fuse in radio, or in line fuse (hot).

Hook the black directly to the (ground) neg on bat & red to (hot)pos. If fuse still blows it's an internal fault in the radio.

I agree with the previous posts however that a cheap circuit tester (light, or better yet $20 meter) is the way to check for voltage & continuity.

Good luck with the spit & remember the saying my uncle had " if the car starts making funny noise just turn up the radio!"

 

[Simbashad]

Thanks for the replies. I do have an all singing meter but it didn't come with one important option....someone who knows how to use it effectively. I think my best bet is to find out a local LBC expert and let them have a look. Anything else I am up for but electrics intimidate me too much.

Ted A

 

[waltesefalcon]

Ted,

Good luck with the radio, and the spit. Wish I could help you but I have no clue when it comes to electronics. Also your spit is quiet enough to listen to the radio?

Cheers,

Walter

79 Spitfire (old ugly)

 

[Simbashad]

Hi all

With the help of Sherlock I have been in touch with a local LBC expert. Once the seats are back in and the mountains of snow have disappeared here, he has offered to take a look at the radio.

Thanks Sherlock.

Ted