Aftermarket radio no positive feed in loom and not dimming with headlights

[swiftnets]

Hey all,

The LR radio had been replaced before we purchased it with a simple Pioneer radio.

I have a double DIN Pioneer that talks to our phones better so I fiddled around and swapped them over.

Unfortunately the installer soldered the simpler plug in to the harness and so things like the radio changing to night mode when the lights turn on didn't work. Fortunately they didn't chop the original loom off completely and so I have worked through getting the right adaptors.

Plugged them in and have found the radio still doesn't dim with the headlights.

Is there a feed for that in the original loom? Where could i find one?

There isn't a positive feed in the original loom either, is that normal?

Is there a hand brake line that is negative when applied?

Thanks all

Michael

[Eric SDV6SE]

Can you go back to a late model LR radio to ensure all the plugs etc work? Most wreckers would have them available.

[666spt]

i just fitted a pioneer double din screen dmh-z5150bt in my 07 sport I used the aerpro fp9290k install kit and I used the app9p108 patch lead it states that its not for the harmon kardon but im not running the standard amp and speakers ive got Rockford fosgate amps and speakers, I wasn't sure if it would work with the steering wheel controls but it does, I paid $203.00 for my kit the other kit for the harmon kardon amp is $900.00 but it wont let the factory sub work so its a waste of money if you ask me, I just went and checked and mine dims when I turn my lights on, so if you go on automotive superstore web site you may be able to buy the iso wiring harness that come with my kit and that may fix your problem, pity it wasn't last night I seen this post or I could of taken pics of the harness and colour of what wires went where so you could of made up a patch loom yourself butits to painful to take back out cheers Dean

[loanrangie]

i just fitted a pioneer double din screen dmh-z5150bt in my 07 sport I used the aerpro fp9290k install kit and I used the app9p108 patch lead it states that its not for the harmon kardon but im not running the standard amp and speakers ive got Rockford fosgate amps and speakers, I wasn't sure if it would work with the steering wheel controls but it does, I paid $203.00 for my kit the other kit for the harmon kardon amp is $900.00 but it wont let the factory sub work so its a waste of money if you ask me, I just went and checked and mine dims when I turn my lights on, so if you go on automotive superstore web site you may be able to buy the iso wiring harness that come with my kit and that may fix your problem, pity it wasn't last night I seen this post or I could of taken pics of the harness and colour of what wires went where so you could of made up a patch loom yourself butits to painful to take back out cheers Dean

The Aerpro kit makes it an easy swap, if you are fitting a reverse camera just connect the camera power to both the Aerpro harness purple wire and the camera power lead from the head unit.
This means no wiring at the camera end.

[loanrangie]

Hey all,

The LR radio had been replaced before we purchased it with a simple Pioneer radio.

I have a double DIN Pioneer that talks to our phones better so I fiddled around and swapped them over.

Unfortunately the installer soldered the simpler plug in to the harness and so things like the radio changing to night mode when the lights turn on didn't work. Fortunately they didn't chop the original loom off completely and so I have worked through getting the right adaptors.

Plugged them in and have found the radio still doesn't dim with the headlights.

Is there a feed for that in the original loom? Where could i find one?

There isn't a positive feed in the original loom either, is that normal?

Is there a hand brake line that is negative when applied?

Thanks all

Michael

If your car is a HSE or had the fibre optic cable system then i believe there is no power in the harness.

[twr7cx]

Maybe start by mentioning what particular vehicle you are referring to and what replacement unit has been installed. There are differences between D3 and D4 and between the various spec levels, lowline to highline audio systems. There are also differences between different headunits and how they're dimming works - e.g. a new Alpine I just fitted has an auto dim feature from a light sensor on the front of it so does not use the wired in dash light dimmer signal.

But personally, if I had paid an installer to do the job and it wasn't done properly (as it sounds like) I would be returning to them for rectification.

Have you looked at the wiring diagram for your vehicle to identify the correct dash backlight wire? If there isn't an OEM factory fitted stereo one you can take from another switch or gauge on the dash, headlights/parklights. For the purposes of the testing you should be able to use any 12 volt signal to confirm that the feature works on the headunit and there isn't a warranty claim fault.

If the factory stereo connection plugs are still in place I suggest checking the Aepro brand website for the matching wiring harnesses to suit your vehicle and stereo (can't help you here as you haven't provided any details) and purchasing those, then it's plug in and play.

[loanrangie]

Maybe start by mentioning what particular vehicle you are referring to and what replacement unit has been installed. There are differences between D3 and D4 and between the various spec levels, lowline to highline audio systems. There are also differences between different headunits and how they're dimming works - e.g. a new Alpine I just fitted has an auto dim feature from a light sensor on the front of it so does not use the wired in dash light dimmer signal.

But personally, if I had paid an installer to do the job and it wasn't done properly (as it sounds like) I would be returning to them for rectification.

Have you looked at the wiring diagram for your vehicle to identify the correct dash backlight wire? If there isn't an OEM factory fitted stereo one you can take from another switch or gauge on the dash, headlights/parklights. For the purposes of the testing you should be able to use any 12 volt signal to confirm that the feature works on the headunit and there isn't a warranty claim fault.

If the factory stereo connection plugs are still in place I suggest checking the Aepro brand website for the matching wiring harnesses to suit your vehicle and stereo (can't help you here as you haven't provided any details) and purchasing those, then it's plug in and play.

It was done before he got it but yes they should have done a better job.

[swiftnets]

Sorry guys, would have been good to include relevant information.

Discovery 3, 2007 MY08 SE.

I have the Pioneer AVH Z-5050BT.

I have the Aerpro step 2 harness, we discussed the step one at length at Autobarn/SuperCheap as the Aerpro website only lists step 1 for steering wheel controls, which we don't have. So we grabbed the T harness instead which does work, except for the power and the dimming.

What should I look for to determine whether or not I need to worry about the fibre?

Thanks for your responses so far, I guess I am trying to work out if I get the step 1 listed even without the steering controls.

Michael

[87County]

FWIW,

it seems most generic non-oem radios have the following:

yellow - permanent 12v
red - ign switched 12v
orange - radio dimmer when connected to dash lights
blue - pwr antenna

Obviously no guarantee that this is correct for your after market setup but hth

[loanrangie]

Sorry guys, would have been good to include relevant information.

Discovery 3, 2007 MY08 SE.

I have the Pioneer AVH Z-5050BT.

I have the Aerpro step 2 harness, we discussed the step one at length at Autobarn/SuperCheap as the Aerpro website only lists step 1 for steering wheel controls, which we don't have. So we grabbed the T harness instead which does work, except for the power and the dimming.

What should I look for to determine whether or not I need to worry about the fibre?

Thanks for your responses so far, I guess I am trying to work out if I get the step 1 listed even without the steering controls.

Michael

So essentially the same vehicle as mine, i had the base model CD400 and the Aerpro kit plugged in and everything worked. If you have factory satnav then you have the fibre optic system which uses a different harness to what i used which again comes with its another set of issues.

[666spt]

If your car is a HSE or had the fibre optic cable system then i believe there is no power in the harness.
there should be power in the harness in my 07 rrs there is, you should have all the normal wires that feed the stereo but from the stereo to the amp is fibre optic cable that only runs the amp

[666spt]

The Aerpro kit makes it an easy swap, if you are fitting a reverse camera just connect the camera power to both the Aerpro harness purple wire and the camera power lead from the head unit.
This means no wiring at the camera end. ive got a camera fitted you run the purple wires together and you run purple wire to the camera as well, mine has the wire in the cable that runs to the camera and you just connect the power wire on camera to the purple and earth the neg and that way I can check my camera at any time through the head unit

[loanrangie]

ive got a camera fitted you run the purple wires together and you run purple wire to the camera as well, mine has the wire in the cable that runs to the camera and you just connect the power wire on camera to the purple and earth the neg and that way I can check my camera at any time through the head unitSame but no need to earth the camera as it's earthed thru the rca cable , my head units camera power lead is brown but clearly labeled so connected red/brown/purple together and all good.
There is an android app to switch the camera on at any time.

[666spt]

Same but no need to earth the camera as it's earthed thru the rca cable , my head units camera power lead is brown but clearly labeled so connected red/brown/purple together and all good.
There is an android app to switch the camera on at any time.I thought that the rca earth would be fine but it didn't work until I earthed it at the camera it may be as my camera has lights in it that I needed the earth connected, but it works so all good can never have to many earths cheers dean

[Aussie Jeepster]

Your profile says you live in Adelaide.
I've found a visit to Triumph Rover spares has been great when I'm trying to figure out wiring, where it goes, what color etc.
Ian doesn't seem to mind people looking around the wrecks, and you can see more of the details about what is behind various parts and panels.
Plus, if you find something useful, you can buy it.
Just an idea for a Sat morning drive.

[swiftnets]

Your profile says you live in Adelaide.
I've found a visit to Triumph Rover spares has been great when I'm trying to figure out wiring, where it goes, what color etc.
Ian doesn't seem to mind people looking around the wrecks, and you can see more of the details about what is behind various parts and panels.
Plus, if you find something useful, you can buy it.
Just an idea for a Sat morning drive.

They have treated us well, I find it is a dangerous place to be too long, gives me too many expensive ideas.

When I get home today I'll try and grab some pictures and work some stuff out.

[Aussie Jeepster]

They have treated us well, I find it is a dangerous place to be too long, gives me too many expensive ideas.

When I get home today I'll try and grab some pictures and work some stuff out.

Its also a very sobering place to wander - makes you think about your driving style, and what could happen!! :<((

[CanadianRyan]

Plugged them in and have found the radio still doesn't dim with the headlights.

Is there a feed for that in the original loom? Where could i find one?

Michael

I had this same issue when installing an Android double din unit. There is no wire in the factory loom to provide the input for dimming when headlights are turned on. There is such a wire in the loom that goes to the module above the radio with the door lock and hazard buttons. I spliced into that one and all works fine. The only issue I discovered later was that the supply is directly linked to the dimming potentiometer thingy next to the headlight switch which you use to set the brightness of the dash. If you dim the dash lights too much, it drops the voltage and actually disables the dimming function of the radio. My kids brought this to my attention inadvertently when they were playing in the car, and I had to investigate why the radio wasn't dimming anymore. I never dim the dash lights so it's ok for me. I hope this helps. Cheers,
Ryan

[twr7cx]

The only issue I discovered later was that the supply is directly linked to the dimming potentiometer thingy next to the headlight switch which you use to set the brightness of the dash. If you dim the dash lights too much, it drops the voltage and actually disables the dimming function of the radio.

Interesting. So the dash backlight dimmer has the opposite effect on the stereo backlight as reducing the dash backlighting too much will cause the stereo to go back to full brightness.
I suppose a way around this would be to connect to a park lights trigger wire instead. Can probably find a source on the right side of the dash near the headlight switch.

[CanadianRyan]

Interesting. So the dash backlight dimmer has the opposite effect on the stereo backlight as reducing the dash backlighting too much will cause the stereo to go back to full brightness.
I suppose a way around this would be to connect to a park lights trigger wire instead. Can probably find a source on the right side of the dash near the headlight switch.

Yup the wires behind the light switch are easy to access and there are a couple to choose from - I was going to run a wire from there if I couldn't figure out why my first solution stopped working... but in the end was happy enough with how it was.

[loanrangie]

I never noticed any dimming on the factory head unit as there is only that little lcd screen to dim, my android unit isnt obtrusive at night but i'm sure if i look there will be setting for the display to dim or even go to a screen saver after a timeout which would have the same effect.