Already burned 2 head units need help

[gizmo1]

Don't trust a shop but you personally just smoked two decks, makes sense.

Yea thought I did it was just a ground issue really didn't burn anything up. I have nothing against the shops here I just feel better doing it myself and knowing exactly how it was wired up, knowing all connections are secure and at the same time saving money. If anything I'm guilty of not bench knowing how to bench test I've never had to ground out a decks frame to bench test one before. I'll admit to my ignorance here and get back to installing.

[gizmo1]

Fucking best me to it. This is by far the simplest thing to do and you've screwed it up more than once. Take it to someone who can use a multimeter at the very least

Lol n8 I wouldn't say I screwed it up I sure thought I did though. It was a ground issue with bench testing and with my multimeter I discovered I have shorts galore. I couldn't find my test light and it was too late to go pick one up. I hit a few glitches and I was frustrated and stressed a lot of shit happened and I made a post mostly to vent but also for suggestions.

As soon as I get off work I will run new wires and bypass the shorted ones so I can install a deck. I wish I didn't have to do this but its better than tearing my whole dash out to trace a short and I'm pretty sure none of the shops around here would have took it that far either. I'm just saying why pay someone else to do the same exact thing I would do myself, when I can do it myself and have the peace of mind knowing it was done safely. Or maybe I'm a cheap bastard either way I will be doing the work myself.

[ALPINE408]

why do you need a test light to confirm your short? all you need is DMM

sorry your missing test light needing to buy a new on to figure out your shorts is baffling to me

[gizmo1]

Someone suggested use a test light instead of multimeter and someone else suggested I didn't know how to use a multimeter. Maybe I don't know how but I still am going to go buy a test light after work to make it a little easier on myself to find constant and switched power sources. Also it's always nice to have a test light when working on electrical. Wasn't exactly saying I need one to find a short. Sorry if it came off that way.

[3vil]

A DMM is a test light plus a bunch of other real handy functions.

[ShadeTreeMechanic]

I have seen bad connections that test good with a DMM in an unloaded circuit. The test light provides just enough load to be able to trace back to the problem. The point on the light can stab through surface corrosion that might drive a DMM wonky. Each tool has its place.

[gizmo1]

Thanks for droppin that knowledge ShadeTree.

I love these forums and all the Cool people around here.

[Esgedi]

I have seen bad connections that test good with a DMM in an unloaded circuit. The test light provides just enough load to be able to trace back to the problem. The point on the light can stab through surface corrosion that might drive a DMM wonky. Each tool has its place.

The key isn't testing voltage, it's testing resistance. Doesn't matter though, this guy just needs to run new wires and call it a day.

[gizmo1]

I agree and thats exactly what I will be doing after work haha.

[MotorCityFats13]

I know he said the HU's were fine after all... but you know what they say... 3rd times a charm!