Remote locking stopped working

bigdog · Postby **bigdog** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 11:54 am

So, I bought a new head unit for Marvin (iPhone compatible JVC jobbie) and set about removing the OEM head unit following the guide in the tech section here. Could not budge it. Used allen keys to start with then bent wire coathangers, but no joy. Gave up, went to lock the car up and remote buttons don't work. OEM radio is also dead. Fuses all OK. WTF have I done?? All I did was push the allen keys/wire down the holes on the side of the radio to try and release the clips and I seem to have created havoc. Car now takes 30 seconds on the starter before it fires too, normally instant. It runs and drives fine, doors lock with key ok. Any suggestions other than the obvious 'take it to an auto electrician' (which I will do if I have to)?

Garry · Postby **Garry** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 6:02 pm

There's a central locking magic box thingy hanging on a spindly bracket just behind the glovebox. You haven't accidentally knocked the plug out have you? Other than that, no idea other than a blown fuse hidden away somewhere that you haven't discovered. Does the interior light still work? I think that uses the radio memory fuse.

I have removed my headunit several times and while it took a lot of carefully selected words best not repeated on a family forum and my tongue in the right position it came out eventually. I've never had an electrical problem doing it though.

Locutus · Postby **Locutus** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 6:30 pm

doesn't make much sense to me - the only thing you could have damaged is the wiring harness to the headunit, but it's tucked all the way in the back and wrapped up so you would have had to poke something really far in and really rummaged around to do any kind damage.

the clips are just behind the front of the headunit so you only need to poke something in about ~3cm for them to release (if you haven't fubared them like i did).

bigdog · Postby **bigdog** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 7:51 pm

Thanks guys. All ok behind the glovebox, central lock unit is firmly plugged in, so it remains a mystery. I have PM'd Richard D on this forum - apparently he had the same issue, but never got around to posting the solution. I'm not sure if he still comes on here though...

bigdog · Postby **bigdog** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 12:09 pm

Having carefully pulled and inspected all the fuses and finding them all intact I was sure this wasn't the problem, however it was a blown fuse. Instant fix, and embarrassed owner :oops:

Someone had removed my OEM head unit in the past and damaged the tabs, which explained why I couldn't free it - took an hour of wriggling and fiddling to come out. New unit slotted straight in using the sleeve that came with it, and bingo! Back in action and very relieved.

Will go and buy a new test light now - if I'd used one I could have diagnosed it easily. Still doesn't explain how the fuse blew though...

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 1:40 pm

Coathanger into a connector = boom!

bigdog · Postby **bigdog** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 3:22 pm

That's just it though Bruce - coathangers were nowhere near the connectors or wiring loom - the only thing they connected with was the side of the headunit. Whole thing is very strange. Richard D on here had the same problem trying to remove his headunit too.