After market head unit fuse keeps blowing.

[tomo180]

Hi im new to this forum but please help me. I have a 2001 VW Bora tdi and decided to fit a new head unit (pioneer). I removed the old gamma radio and fitted the new one. I was very suppressed to see the wiring connecters were the same. Every thing was fine for half an hour and working. When I went to put the new head unit in to the dash I blew the fuse on the head unit and then smoke started coming out of the back of the head unit. Why would this happen and how could I fix it please help.

P.S. sorry if this question has bean around a lot already.

[StuPDi]

this happened to me a few years ago on a Mazda MX3
turned out what i though was the "earth return" was actually the headlight illumination circuit.
only blew the fuse each time i turned the lights on!!!

have a look at the wiring diagram that came with the headunit, could be a very simple crossed wire somewhere causing you problems.

Hope you get it all sorted out ok

Stu

[bora(ing) nick]

One thing to check would be the red / yellow wires on the stereo....

Sometimes, these have clips on them that let you swap them over. Make sure they are both covered / securely in there connectors, as if they touch earth (the cars' shell, or the stereo casing itself) it will short and blow the fuse.

HTH

Nick

[tomo180]

Thank to both of those responses I will have a look to night and let you no how I get on.
Cheers

[tomo180]

after checking the earth and the battery connection are round the right way and no other cable are connecting to any thing ells, i blew another fuse. the only two things i think it can be now is the acc is not in the right connection or i have blown some thing ells in the head unit. but i cant get in to the head unit to have a look as one of the screws is jammed. bit of a shame as i have a 6 hour car journey to make on friday.