Need Help: Stolen Stereo/Wiring Cut = No start (edit: photo)

G. Fischer · Post by **G. Fischer** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 1:16 am

Hey all,

My head unit was recently stolen and instead of merely unplugging the unit, whomever stole it cut all the wiring; power, harness, etc. Morning I found the unit gone, vehicle failed to start. Seems to be getting juice, but won't turn over.

I've heard this can blow fuses, so I checked and one (of the leftmost pair) of 25amp bullets was blown. Switched in a spare, but no dice.

Anyone have ideas?

Appreciate the help!

CBradio · Post by **CBradio** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 12:34 pm

I'm still new at this but have been living and breathing the wires in my car for the past week trying to chase down a mystery occassional no start, so I'll give it a shot:

The first thing I would check is to see whether they have cut into any non-stereo wires. If they cut anything important it could cause a no-start situation......

The second thing I would check is to see if any of the stereo wires they cut might be causing a short {exposed ends touching} etc.

I think the 25amp are for windows or sunroof, perhaps they cut into that system causing a short of sorts.

I think you just have to look and follow the wires and see what they cut into exactly.

G. Fischer · Post by **G. Fischer** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 11:07 am

Thanks for the input CB. I'm still pretty stumped.

As I know next to nothing about about electricals/wiring, I'm gonna need a bit of help here.

Here is a photo:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/hwkkhssh6nehr ... Wiring.jpg

Appreciate any help!

alotawatts · Post by **alotawatts** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 8:03 pm

I'm no expert but it looks like you have pos.+ (red) and neg. - (brown/black) leads joining at the fuse (in the white plastic case)....hard to tell from the picture......no worky that way. The norm is a fuseable link + Pos. only.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/hwkkhssh6nehr ... Wiring.jpg

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:09 am

Having had stereos stolen and bought cars with them having been stolen the thing that pisses me off most is the cutting of everything instead of just unplugging. I know they're in a hurry, but unplugging an antenna lead takes more time then cutting it? I know a thief is a thief, but do they have to be vandals too?

Anyway, onto your immediate problem, I don't see anything that would cause a no start. Brown is always ground on German cars, so the black wire that's butt connected to a brown is a ground. I'm guessing yellow and red are switched and unswitched hot, probably in that order, but who knows. Any chance there's an alarm system in there?