I took my '91 Loyale to Best buy (mistake #1) to get a CD player in it.... not only did they put it in a harness that covers my "clutter pocket", but now I can't listen to it unless the headlights/parking lights are on. I took it back (mistake #2) and they kept it for 3 hours but still couldn't figure out what they did wrong. That's what you get for "free installation".

Sounds like they got the dimmer wire wrong or something. Maybe they hooked up the switch 12v to the dimmer wire. Heck if I know.

 

That's why I install stereos myself. Free installation isn't worth a headache if things don't go right.

I know exactly how you feel, my dad had Best Buy install a new deck on his old wagon. They didnt crimp any wires or connect anything of any sort. All they did was strip a couple wires, then twist them together and cover them with electrical tape. So I decided to install my by myself, but I used the wrong wire for the "hot at all times," so now i have to have the doors unlocked when I listen to my radio. I'm fixing that problem as soon as school gets out. Best of luck with your setup.

yup.

I have always been leary of free installation. I bought a deck and some speakers recently at BB (we don't have many options in B'ham) and the installers starting going over all the possible "extras" that weren't covered by the free installation...by the time it was done I was looking a very expensive FREE install.

 

I decided to do it myself. I have enough car-fi experience (and its really not that difficult anyway) that I can do it if I have a free afternoon and no rain (no garage).

Part that takes the longest time to do is wiring. I like to do the wiring on my desk. Grab a wiring harness for the stereo and for the car, grab my soldering iron, some heat shrink tubing, and go at it. Only bad part is these stupid common ground speaker systems.

I know exactly how you feel, my dad had Best Buy install a new deck on his old wagon. They didnt crimp any wires or connect anything of any sort. All they did was strip a couple wires, then twist them together and cover them with electrical tape. So I decided to install my by myself, but I used the wrong wire for the "hot at all times," so now i have to have the doors unlocked when I listen to my radio. I'm fixing that problem as soon as school gets out. Best of luck with your setup.

yup.

you know now that simple monkey touched on that topic my wagon has the same problem but with a twist. when i start it i have to lock my doors to make it sound and if i put it too loud it will stop sounding until i unlock and relock my doors or visa versa. what is wrong with it? its driving me crazy.