Head Unit won't power up

[ImaPigDog]

2009 22Vé with Tower of Power system with EIDB (dual battery) system:
- Clarion CMD5 source unit
- Wet Sounds Syn 6 amp
- Wet Sounds Syn 2 amp

I am attempting to add WS-420 equalizer to be mounted below the dash on the starboard side. I ran all the wires (power & RCAs) from the port storage to the starboard storage via the hoes for the air vents.

My first step was to hook up power to the WS-420. Power is brought from the battery to the Syn 6 amp. Power to CMD5 source unit is connected to Syn 6 amp. I shut down the power to everything. I hooked up power (positive, ground and remote amp turn-on) from the WS-420 to the Syn 6 amp. I turned the power back on. Everything powered up OK and stereo played normal with existing connections to amps without going through the WS-420. The WS-420 powered on (along with the CMD5 source unit and both amps) and I was able to toggle the illumination from blue to red. So far, so good. I shut down the power to everything again.

The next step was to remove existing RCA cables from the amps and CMD5 and hook up the WS-420. After doing so, I could not get the source unit to power back on (and therefore, the amps & WS-420). So, I removed the existing wiring to the amp from the WS-420 and put everything back in place the way it was – CMD5 would still not power on. There is power coming in to the amp. I checked the in-line fuses to the CMD5 and both are OK. I even tested with a multi-meter and am getting power on both sides of the fuse just before the CMD5. At this point, I am at a loss other than replacing the CMD5 since it appears to be getting power but not turning on.

The only thing that I can think of that I didn’t test is actual amount of power coming from the deep cycle battery. I had the stereo on at low volume in the boat for a couple hours with a fully charged iPod attached. The day prior we had run the boat for 2-3 hours on the water. So, I would expect it to have a solid charge.

Any ideas? What am I missing?

[zad0030]

Guess you dont want my help...

[ImaPigDog]

Guess you dont want my help...

So far, no smoke!

[dogbert]

Did you re-wire the power going to the H/U?

Also, my H/U is wired to an accessory switch...maybe you dislodged power going to it if it's wired the same way?

[chpthril]

The H/U has a small red wire that is a remote turn-on, much like the amps have a remote turn-on. That is typically on the ign key and gets hot in "ON" and "ACC". Also, what is the status of both the batteries. The red remote turn-on is powered off the starting battery, and the yellow (attached to the amp's power it sounds like) will be off the house battery(s). If either is dead, no tunes.

[ImaPigDog]

Did you re-wire the power going to the H/U?

Also, my H/U is wired to an accessory switch...maybe you dislodged power going to it if it's wired the same way?

The H/U has a small red wire that is a remote turn-on, much like the amps have a remote turn-on. That is typically on the ign key and gets hot in "ON" and "ACC". Also, what is the status of both the batteries. The red remote turn-on is powered off the starting battery, and the yellow (attached to the amp's power it sounds like) will be off the house battery(s). If either is dead, no tunes.

Nope, I didn't re-wire the existing power. However, you may be on to something...I am wondering if I may have dislodged the power (red wire) to the ignition key when pulling the RCA cables.

Low battery is my other suspicion. Although, the day prior, we ran the boat for on our maiden voyage for a few hours without problems.

Hopefully, I will get a break in the weather from the rain forecast for all week to get a chance to pull the cover to check and will follow-up here.

Thanks for the feedback!

[Joeprunc]

Seeing that you are getting power to the amps I think Mike has some great advice here, I'd take a voltmeter and check the voltage on the remote wire. If you are getting power to both pop the face off and put it back on, sometimes the connections get messed up. Other than that I'm at a loss.

I learned yesterday that you need both hooked up. I pulled all the positive cables off the battery to trickle charge it. Sure enough yesterday I forgot to connect the remote to the battery (it was tucked way out of view). I felt like a retard for a minute there.

[ImaPigDog]

OK, I finally had a chance to double-check everything.

Both batteries are OK. I am getting power all way through the inline fuses that are connected to the to the CMD5 on both power lines (red 1 amp & yellow 15 amp). I verified that the red power line is working with the key switch - enabled when turned ON or to ACC and disabled with key OFF.

All the connections appear to be seated properly. I can only think that it is something with the CMD5 at this point.

Joe - the face folds down on the front of the CMD5. I'm not sure if it comes off. My next step is probably to probably pull it out of the glove box to get a better look a the connections.

Regardless, I am going to the lake this weekend. It is frustrating to have Thou$and$ of dollar$ in a stereo system that is not working (sigh). But, I'll be on a boat!

[chpthril]

OK, I finally had a chance to double-check everything.

Both batteries are OK. I am getting power all way through the inline fuses that are connected to the to the CMD5 on both power lines (red 1 amp & yellow 15 amp). I verified that the red power line is working with the key switch - enabled when turned ON or to ACC and disabled with key OFF.

All the connections appear to be seated properly. I can only think that it is something with the CMD5 at this point.

Joe - the face folds down on the front of the CMD5. I'm not sure if it comes off. My next step is probably to probably pull it out of the glove box to get a better look a the connections.

Regardless, I am going to the lake this weekend. It is frustrating to have Thou$and$ of dollar$ in a stereo system that is not working (sigh). But, I'll be on a boat!

When you were checking for voltage on the red and yellow, what source were you using for a ground.....the same as the head unit? Climb in the storage with a flashlight, pull the headunit's plug and check both the plug and socket for a bent terminal. Also double check the powers and ground at the plug, if all ok, then head unit. Know, something tells me that that H/U has an ATO fuse plugged in the back of it! Need to go pull a manual and see!

[ImaPigDog]

When you were checking for voltage on the red and yellow, what source were you using for a ground.....the same as the head unit? Climb in the storage with a flashlight, pull the headunit's plug and check both the plug and socket for a bent terminal. Also double check the powers and ground at the plug, if all ok, then head unit. Know, something tells me that that H/U has an ATO fuse plugged in the back of it! Need to go pull a manual and see!

Yes, I used the same ground as the head unit.

I am 6'2" & ~285lbs. My happy arse is not going to fit into the storage on a 22Ve. Maybe in a 66Ve, but not a 22-footer. Hehehe!

I've looked through the manual. The only thing that I could find are the inline fuses on the red & yellow power cords.

When you refer to "plug" are you talking about where the power wires run into the head unit? I couldn't tell if that was a plug or not and didn't want to tug on it too hard (couldn't see a locking clip on it either).

[chpthril]

Yes, there is a white plug that disconnects from the head unit, open the front bow seat back and that may give you a better look.