Stereo installed, truck won't start.

1girl1 · #1 09-09-2010, 11:59 PM

Please help. I had my stereo stolen about 2 months ago. A neighbor wanted to be nice and installed a stereo for me while I was at work. I came home started my truck (99' Ford Ranger, V6, 4x4) it died and won't restart. Battery was checked and is good. When I insert my key all dash lights come on and work. Along with interior and exterior lights, heater. As soon as I turn key further to crank I get NOTHING. Everything turns off. It acts like my key is my spare door key. I called Ford today and was told if the "theft" light stays solid the computer is still reading my key. If it flashes then it is not. It stays solid. Any idea's on what could have happened or what I need to check? I would prefer to be able to fix myself and not have to take to the dealership. Thank you for your help.

Pbav8tor · #2 09-10-2010, 12:16 AM

Did it work OK before the stereo installation? If it did then the stereo was tapped into something that it shouldn't have.

1girl1 · #3 09-10-2010, 12:30 AM

Yes it worked fine before the stereo was installed. Is there anything I can do to fix it?

CrimeStar · #4 09-10-2010, 06:44 AM

Check your fuse panel for blown fuses after checking the wiring on the cd player

edgeman4.0 · #5 09-10-2010, 08:01 AM

uninstall the cd player entirely. then try to start the truck.. i almost guarantee that it'll crank.

the asshat who stole your original stereo probably clipped all the wires and blew all of your constant and ignition power fuses, which in turn.. led your neighbor to do something stupid and wire it to whatever power he could find.

FireRanger · #6 09-10-2010, 08:26 AM

There is nothing you can wire the stereo to that will disable the starter. Have you tried jumpstarting it. People say "The battery tested fine" all the time, but don't know what they're testing. Then they don't bother to try jumping it. It's much more likely that the battery is just dead and needs a jump.

edgeman4.0 · #7 09-10-2010, 08:33 AM

^ that wouldnt cause the theft light to stay on solid though matt.. the neighbor probably went elsewhere for a power source than from behind the radio.

FireRanger · #8 09-10-2010, 08:44 AM

I think you misread the theft light status.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1girl1

I called Ford today and was told if the "theft" light stays solid the computer is still reading my key. If it flashes then it is not. It stays solid.

Clinton · #9 09-10-2010, 08:47 AM

Yes jump it or disconnect the battery and reconnect it

edgeman4.0 · #10 09-10-2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireRanger

I think you misread the theft light status.

Iseewhatyoudidthere.

1girl1 · #11 09-11-2010, 10:59 PM

Thanks for all your tips. We've tried jumping the original battery and tried a neighbor's working battery. Nothing. Someone mentioned something about a wiring harness or a non oem stereo. Checked and there is a wiring harness in there. While I was at work today another neighbor checked my starter and said it was fried. They removed it and took it to a local auto parts store who confirmed this. The quote is $130. My questioned now is, could the neighbor who installed the stereo have done something to fry my starter or is the new starter my problem? Thanks for all of your help.

Clinton · #12 09-11-2010, 11:04 PM

Sounds like your neighbors are pretty friendly! It could be a fluke, I never heard of a starter going after a radio install. Try to find a rebuilt one though, they are cheaper.

1girl1 · #13 09-11-2010, 11:20 PM

Thanks alot for your help. Didn't think you could blow a starter that way. I will look for a refurbished one. The least amount of $ the better. Thanks again guys.

FireRanger · #14 09-12-2010, 06:07 AM

It is not possible. Strange coincidence is all.

BigT8600 · #15 09-12-2010, 07:33 AM

I've installed at least 1000 stereos and never fried a starter...Wouldn't blame your neighboor for this one. Now if he was trying to install remote start/alarm system then yes he could fry it. like the above says, coincidence. good luck.