1997 Vauxhall Corsa LS 1.2 Stereo Problems?

[pasty2010]

Hi there. I've just bought my first car and its a '1997 Vauxhall Corsa LS 1.2'. I seem to be having a problem with the stereo. When the car is stationary and not started the stereo and CD player works but when I switch the engine on and put in into gear and release the handbrake and attempt to move off the stereo stops working! Basically I was wondering if anybody knew a solution to this problem? thanks

[LukeR94]

Thats some cracking lurking!


Sounds like a wiring problem, though im sure someone will come along with proper knowledge and advise you.

[pasty2010]

what do you mean by lurking? haha

[LukeR94]

Been a member for 37 months and only 1 post!!!

[Crafty_]

does it work with the ignition on but engine not started ?
or engine running, but handbrake on ?

Pull the radio out (make sure you have the security code if a stock unit) and check the feed, with a multimeter does the feed go or is it the earth ?

Wondering if there is an earth issue with the handbrake switch and earth for the radio. Has anyone been messing with the wiring? if it looks to be the case I'd trace the power & earth to the radio and go from there.

[pasty2010]

Yeah :L my brother used it to register an account haha.

Yes it does work with the ignition on and when the engine isn't started. It also works when the engine is running and the handbrake on. The only time it doesn't work is when I'm moving.

Where do I find the security code? What do you mean by 'does the feed go or is it the earth?'

As far as I know no-body has messed with the wiring.

It's horrible driving without music

[Crafty_]

hold the car on the foot brake and take the handbrake off with the engine running - does the music stop ?

what I mean is work out when the radio cuts out is it no longer being supplied with power or is it the earth that goes missing ?

[pasty2010]

It still works when I do that. I just had to reverse it so some people could put some tarmac down and when i put it in reverse and release the hand brake and let my clutch out it went off. Then when I parked up and put it in neutral and handbrake on it came back on :/

[pasty2010]

What the best way to find out?

[callmedave]

pasty2010 said:

What the best way to find out?

turn the radio on, Hold the car on the footbrake and release the handbrake, does the radio switch off? if so, put the handbrake on again, does the radio switch on again?

Also is the time/date/ radio pre-set reseting each time?

[tbc]

probably cheaper to replace the car than a new stereo

[pasty2010]

NO. when the radio is on and i release the handbrake the radio stays on.

No the time, date and everything else is staying exactly the same..

[callmedave]

pasty2010 said:

NO. when the radio is on and i release the handbrake the radio stays on.

No the time, date and everything else is staying exactly the same..

Ok, so the power is not the earth, otherwise it would loose its memory.

I did not see if it was mentioned, is this the standard unit or an aftermarket one? does the unit feel 'solid' in its mount or is there play. does anything else on the car have the same symptons? interior light, fag lighter, wipers etc?

[pasty2010]

It feels solid. There is no movement, and no it's just the stereo..

[callmedave]

pasty2010 said:

It feels solid. There is no movement, and no it's just the stereo..

Ok, this all sounds like a bad wire connection somewhere. on the back of the stereo there will be several wires, very carefully and with the ignition off, inspect the red and yellow wires. the yellow one will be what turns the stereo on and off (linked to ignition) and the red supplies the main power (for memory etc) so it is most likely the yellow one that is causing these problems.

Be carefull here as you can easily cause a problem elsewhere on the car, if you are not too sure, take it to a qualified auto-electrician.

Edited by callmedave on Friday 23 August 16:29

[pasty2010]

When you say 'inspect the red and yellow wires' what exactly am I looking for?

[750turbo]

pasty2010 said:

When you say 'inspect the red and yellow wires' what exactly am I looking for?

Perhaps now would be a good time to get someone else to have a look at it...

[callmedave]

750turbo said:

pasty2010 said:

When you say 'inspect the red and yellow wires' what exactly am I looking for?

Perhaps now would be a good time to get someone else to have a look at it...

Yes, in the nicest way possible, i think you may end up doing more bad than good (there is a thread about DIY fails on here, please take a read) take it an electrician or at least a mate who knows about cars, it should be an easy enough fix, but only if you know what you are doing.

[callmedave]

pasty2010 said:

It feels solid. There is no movement, and no it's just the stereo..

Ok, this all sounds like a bad wire connection somewhere. on the back of the stereo there will be several wires, very carefully and with the ignition off, inspect the red and yellow wire. the yellow one will be what turns the stereo on and off (linked to ignition) and the red supplies the main power (for memory etc) so it is most likely the yellow one that is causing these problems.

Be carefull here as you can easily cause a problem elsewhere on the car, if you are not too sure, take it to a qualified auto-electrician.

[pasty2010]

okay. thanks for your help guys will leave a message if I get it fixed