818 AV8R

95 'Runner 4x4 3.0 5 spd,...

had aftermarket head unit when purchased(sony), upgraded to better unit yet when i installed, i didnt bother to change the wiring harness due to same connector used by sony. little did i know at the time it was not wired correctly for the power ant./factory amp. in addition to the auto dim feature.
I tore it all down to make the corrections only to find the wires needed missing from the sony side. so i went out, bought the right one cause i gave the original away thinking i wouldnt need it.

So i swithced out all the wires for the sony unit, and located the wire for the auto dim feature and was left with two wires which could possibly go to the factory amp. Now the sypmtom i noticed that was the major issue was that the radio sounded great but the aux in/ cd mode sounded terrible like the speakers were getting no amplification. After countless reasearch i found others having similar issues due to improper wiring with the power ants.

I hooked everything all up, checked my connections, powered on, and at a glance all seemed normal until i was unable to produce any sort of sound/audio. I checked all fuses easily reachable and even started digging around for the factory amp to see if i blew it. (i think its mounted inside the baffle box of the left rear side, or at least that what i guess that object to be.)

All seems normal with the head unit and the eq shows audio being sent. i have no idea what to check next and i am limited on time. please help. thanks

818 AV8R

ok basically ive blown the factory amp and wanna know if theres an easy fix without spending much right now

qdude79

Bypass the factory amp! HU probably supplies more power anyhow...

818 AV8R

how?????

abecedarian

I just want to know how someone can burn out stereo equipment when it is very easy to find the factory wiring diagrams and a decent volt/amp meter costs less than 20 at the auto parts store.

As well, how can one say they've blown the amp but want to know if there is an easy fix? If you know the amp is blown, the only easy fix is to replace it and get the wiring correct.

The only thing different about sony wiring plugs and power amps and antennas is NOTHING! They've used the same plugs and wire colors for over 20 years.

black is ground
red is switched 12v (from the ignition)
yelow is constant 12v (from the battery)
blue is for switched acessories - remote antenna, power amp, etc.

That's it, nothing more.

qdude79

straight wire from HU to replacement speakers (cheap).

818 AV8R

difference in the plugs was one was from a lower end model that didnt have certain features such as auto dim or aftermarket amp capablity. i admit i was in a hurry and should have verified the lead before connecting it but whats done is done. when i say "quick fix", im just wondering if theres a hidden fuse or relay that i can swap out until i can afford a decent system. no need to be snotty, we all make dumb mistakes at times.

abecedarian

every sony radio I've seen since 1994 has had the aftermarket amp capability (since I began working with them)
I used to build RV/travel trailers and Sony, Pioneer and JVC were the primary brands we used.

818 AV8R

did not have the orange/white wire for the auto dim, did not have the blue/white wire for the amp power, did have the blue wire for the remote ant.