Problems and Fixes After Car Audio Installs
 

I have seen a lot of guys come in here and start a new thread because they had some kind of issue after a car audio install. Rather than everyone coming in here, NOT searching, then starting a new thread... I'm starting a comiliation in hopes that the multiple duplicate threads will stop! I have pulled this info from other threads that responded to such problems. I will add more as more problems occur. Feel free to send me new solutions to add to this thread. Or just post your own solutions. Thanks everyone.


WINDOWS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AFTER INSTALL
If the windows do not close automatically
If the power window automatic function (closing
only) does not operate properly, perform the
following procedure to initialize the power
window system.

1. Push the ignition switch to the ON position.

2. Close the door.

3. Open the window completely by operating
the power window switch.

4. Pull the power window switch and hold it to
close the window, and then hold the switch
more than 3 seconds after the window is
closed completely.

5. Release the power window switch. Operate
the window by the automatic function to
confirm the initialization is complete.

6. Perform steps 2 through 5 above for other
windows.


AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON AFTER CAR AUDIO INSTALL

****IIMPORTANT****
Turn the ignition off as soon as the airbag light goes out the first time.


If you have the airbag light blinking here is how to reset it:

1. Push the start button two times (Ignition on but engine not started).

2. Watch the airbag light closely. It will stay on for a few secs. and then as soon as it blinks off (the start of the flashing), turn the key off INSTANTLY.

3. Count to 5 (1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi . . . .)

4. Repeat steps 1-3 two more times until you have done the cycle three times.

5. Now turn the key on and watch the light. It will start blinking in a different, slower manner. This is diagnostic mode. You can watch this for a little while, no hurry.

6. Now turn the key off again, Count to 5 like in step 3 again, and turn back on. If the procedure worked, the airbag light will not be flashing.

If it does not work the first time, just repeat the steps again.


PROBLEMS WITH STEERING WHEEL HARNESS
(This is specifically for the SWI-JACK Harness)

1. Quick description before we start wiring the SWI-JACK .
The SWI-JACK 's wire color we are going to use is White. This is the White wire on the SWI-JACK , not the vehicle!
The other wires on the SWI-JACK , green, yellow, orange and blue wires are not used for your Nissan 370Z.

This leaves you with a Red, Black and two loop wires. These wires will be discussed down below.

2. Picture of the Nissan 370Z plug.
Connector picture is unavailable. Either we don't have a picture to show or we have to get the wire somewhere else and not at the factory radio harness.

3. Connecting the SWI-JACK 's steering wheel control input wire to vehicle plug.
Connect the SWI-JACK 's White wire to PIN 16 (Blue) with a 150 ohm resistor, PIN 15 (Pink) with a 47 ohm resistor
Connect free ends of resistors to interface's White wire.
Ground the BROWN wire found in the same radio connector.



4. Connecting power and ground wires.
Black wire: Connect the SWI-JACK 's black wire to chassis ground. This is usually a black wire on the aftermarket wire kit.
Red wire: Connect the SWI-JACK 's red wire to a switched +12volt wire. This is usually a red wire on the aftermarket wire kit.

5. Instructions for cutting or not cutting loop wires.
Step A: The purple loop wire does not need to be cut.
Step B: Cut the Brown loop wire in half and insulate both ends.

6. Programming the SWI-JACK with a version number.
The SWI-JACK has to be programmed for version # 3.
1. Press and hold the Program Button on the SWI-JACK while turning on the vehicle to the accessory position. The LED will turn on.
2. Release the Program Button and the LED will turn off.
3. Press the Program Button 3 times. Each time you press and release the Program Button, the LED will turn on and off. Once you press the Program Button 3 times, wait for 3 seconds. The LED will flash 3 times indicating it is programmed for version 3. If it flashes the wrong version number, you will have to start all over at step 1 above in this section. Turn the key off.
4. Once you have programmed the correct version number, you will not have to do these steps again. If you need to reprogram the steering wheel control, you can go directly to the next section.

7. Programming the SWI-JACK to learn steering wheel control functions.
1. Turn the key to the accessory position (you do not need to hold the Program Button at this time). The LED will flash 3 times. This indicates it is programmed for version 3.
2.
Press the Program Button until the LED turns on, then release the button (This will erase all previous learned steering wheel control functions). The SWI-JACK is now ready to learn a command from the steering wheel.

3.
The SWI-JACK must be programmed in the specific order shown in the chart below. If a function is not needed, it may be skipped. Adjust the Radio Select switch on the side of the SWI-JACK according to the chart. Alpine = 1, JVC = 2, Kenwood = 3, Clarion = 4 and Blaupunkt = 5.


Alpine
JVC
Kenwood
Clarion
Blaupunkt
Switch setting for
SWI-JACK
1
2
3
4
5
1
Volume Up Volume Up Volume Up Volume Up Volume Up
2
Volume Down Volume Down Volume Down Volume Down Volume Down
3
Mute Mute/Power Mute Mute Mute
4
Preset Up Preset Up Source
Track Up

Source
5
Preset Down Source Seek Up Track Down Track up
6
Source Seek Up Track Up Band Track down
7
Track Up Seek Down Track Down Source Disc up
8
Track Down Select Disc Up/FM Disc down
9
Power Band Disc Down/AM OK
10
Ent/Play
11
Band/Program
4. With the LED on, press your steering wheel button until the light goes out and hold for one second more.
5. Release and the LED should come back on. If it does not please double check all connections and verify for correct version programming.
6. Repeat step 4 and 5 to program additional steering wheel buttons in the order corresponding to the chart above for your SWI interface.
7. If you come across a command in the chart that your steering wheel does not have, or you do not want to program, press the Program Button on the side of the SWI interface.
8. The LED will flash once rapidly and then stay on confirming that you have successfully skipped that command and are ready for the next button.
9. When you are done programming all the buttons, wait for about 7 seconds. The LED will flash 3 times indicating it is done programming. The LED will then flash 3 times indicating the version number.


8. Testing the SWI-JACK .
1. Connect the plug to back of radio's steering wheel input jack or harness.
2. With the vehicle on, press a steering wheel button to control the stereo. The SWI-JACK should control the aftermarket stereo with the function you taught it. Test all other buttons.
3. If the interface does not control the radio as the steering wheel indicates, the buttons were either pressed in the wrong order or a step was not skipped properly. Return to category 7 and reprogram.
4. Make sure all unused wires are isolated separately.
5. After all commands are verified to work properly, secure the SWI interface so that tension will not pull either of the connectors loose or apart.
6. That's it! Enjoy!

You should not have to worry about the air bag lights if you disconnect the pos or neg battery terminal BEFORE starting work on the system and than reconnecting AFTER everything is back together. All and all a good write up +1

I actually pulled that info from another thread. You are correct with your response as well. Good day sir.

Damn I'm an idiot just let the dealership rape me for $145 for the first two problems on your thread...I need to learn to search and read.

I installed a new radio in mine 1 day old 370z, and I got the following problems that I know of: 1. Window goes down when door is opened but does not go up. Also, if I try to reopen and close door, the window will continue to go down lower.
2. Blinking airbag light
3. Check Engine Soon Light.

Solutions I found to work so far:
1. Window: turn car on and hold window switch down for 20 sec. then up for 20 sec. (This will reset you window and should fix any window problems you may have.)

2. The blinking Airbag light: The steps above did not work for me.

3. Check engine soon light: Have not found solution for that yet.

whatever you do....don't take it to the dealer like I foolishly did....and let them charge me $145 to hold down the button...search around some more. They fed me some garbage about having to hook it back up to the computers to recalibrate, the windows and airbag lights.

has anyone figured out why when u put in an aftermarket radio the horn or beeps dont work with the fob or button on door when locking and unlocking????

I have installed my aftermarket headunit, goten everything to work..

the SWI was programed with the headunit out and double checked every program, all was working with just the power harness plugged into the HU, knowing everything was programmed correctly, I then connected the am/fm, bluetooth mic, gps ant, and ipod connections, reinstalled the unit, and now no commands work as programed, the only function that does operate is the source button on the steering wheel turns the volume up... anybody encounter this problem??

Is there any information about the CEL?

<rant>

I took my car into a shop for the install (I know foolish move) and my seatbelt light, passenger airbag light, passenger window (continuously going up) not fucntioning properly, and having an SRM issue.

The SRM was not turning on and off due to the trim piece being installed incorrectly. fixed that myself. I performed the window reset procedure and that was good for the drivers window. I checked the panel connections and found no visible issues, but I can hear the passenger window constantly trying to go up. I am going to disconnect the battery and hopefully the airbag and seatbelt light will go off.

Seems like everytime I trust a shop with my car (any of them) they mess something up. The thing that gets me the most is that they hooked up a 5 channel amp and only connected the sub to it, lame. I should have just done it all myself. Never again. If I go to a shop, it will be the dealer only................

</rant>

let me know when you got a fix, I really want to install a headunit on mine but I'm afriad it'll turn out FUBAR like this :happydance:

wow i had no idea how to fix this problem i almost took off the entire door panel to try and fix it but thank god i didnt +1 rep for you!!!

Sorry if this has been mentioned before. I just could not find any reference to it.


One of the best ways to avoid any of these type of install problems, "Check Engine", "AirBag" is to disconnect the negative/ground wire from your battery prior to starting your installation. Once complete, check all your wires, make sure you plug in the factory connectors, for the air bag etc. and then attach the negative battery terminal. Test your install.

Whenever you disconnect a factory switch, or terminal plug that goes to the onboard system with the battery attached, and then turn the ignition on you can trip fault codes.

Got the car back from the dealership on Thursday and they straightened out all of my problems. Bates NISSAN is pretty awesome.

Installed my headunit and ran new speaker wires yesterday for the car. Disconnected the battery and everything. I put it all back together and the only issue I am having is my AC is stuck on the setting I left it on before I disconnected the battery. The controls for the AC do not light up nor effect the settings at all.

check your fuse md.

Silly me forgot to plug it in, thats what i get for making a project last over two days.

haha, hey, at least it's working and no serious issues...well at least not with the car. :D ;)

Excellent thread. The 15-20 second trick worked on my drivers window....but the other method mentioned in the first post worked on my passenger window...LOL. couldn't get the 15-20 second method to work on the passenger side for some reason. I'm sure I was starting off wrong somehow.

Thanks to this site I was able to complete the stereo install myself. I encountered the window and airbag problems but quickly corrected all the issues thanks to this thread. Thanks all! :tup:

Service Engine Soon Light

Apparently theres some goofy code where you have to press the gas pedal 5 times in 5 seconds then relase for 10 and hold for 10 etc etc and timing is imperative, but theres a much easier way to fix this.

Just disconnect the battery for a few hours and reconnect. The ECU should be reset.

the airbag light stays on for me... got teh window to work. any thing else??

ahhh all fixed... you have to turn off the car right when the blank happens... dont wait for the flash.. It works now yay

Great info.. Thanks

I had issues with the check engine soon light and the airbag light. I used the fix from the first post by rreign and it worked. Then to take care of the check engine light I unhooked the battery for about 10 seconds (to let the power dissipate) and then hooked it back up. All worked well.

Hold down the lock and unlock buttons on the key fob until the horn sounds and lights flash. You can also switch back to silent the same way.

My AC controls and entire center dash doesnt light up any more. Fuse? if so which one. The rectangle that says the radio station and everything still lights up though.

I recently took out my stock bose head unit but put it back in.

AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON AFTER CAR AUDIO INSTALL

The instructions worked! Thanks. :bowrofl:

Fix for AIRBAG LIGHT worked for me on 2009 :bowrofl:

Had new stereo system professionally installed. Sounds great. The problem is the AC isn't blowing cold air now. The AC light, fan and all seems working. Its just not blowing cold air. Not sure if compression is coming on or not, as I^m not familiar with what this should sound like. Any recommendations? I plan to take to back to stereo installer to have a look before going to Nissan if I can^t fix it before.

The white box under stock radio needs to be or back

I did a speaker install a couple of days ago. After reassembly, the windows would drop about 1/4 inch and not go back up when the door was opened or closed. I did a reset on the switch and it fixed the problem. Today I went through the automatic car scratcher and the drivers window started going up and down about 1/4 inch on it's own. This happened in the middle of th high pressure rinse and hosed me down pretty good. I did another reset afterwards and everything seems to work fine. I don't know if it will happen again. Has anyone else had this experience, found the cause and fix?

Most likely reason for Service Engine Soon Light
 

Hey Guys and Gals,

Ok, finally found that almost 9 times out of 10 if you get the service engine soon light on after your HU install it is most likely caused because of the A/C control unit. You disconnect it when you install the HU and if you test your HU without connecting the controls again you install will register a fault even if you connect the controls later on, it wont matter you will still need to reset the light.

Hope this helps you guys out!

I couldn't get the air bag fix listed in the OP...but this technique in this video worked. Maybe should at it to the OP.

This thread was alot of help with my window bug. Thanks guys:tup:

Heads up for the airbag: I followed the advice about making sure the battery was disconnected before I unplugged the airbag light from the dash. Then I removed the light from the dash panel and plugged it in so I could power-up without having the panel dangling in the way. This worked, but then I tripped the airbag light when I removed the passenger seat :\ At least the fix is easy.

Problem with Airbag light and Service Engine light
 

I am having a slightly different problem than what I've read so far. My Service Engine soon light is on and I don't know how to get it turned off and my Airbag light is currently on as well but it does not flash... it just stays lit. The major problem with all of this is that I did have my negative battery terminal uninstalled while I was putting the radio in and once the wires where hooked back up on both the radio and airbag light on the dash i connected the negative battery terminal..... and surprise surprise the lights of death are on and I cannot get them off... Does anyone else have this problem? If so how did you get it fixed???

Thanks a lot.

Nevermind I just need help with my Service Engine Light
 

I fixed the problem with my airbag, but my Service engine light is still on... does anyone know what to do with that?

Check on the forum and/or google the problem. You should be able to find the fix which I just can't recall how to do. It's something like holding the clutch down, and turning the ignition on/off. Check to see if there's a youtube video on it.

I just did a preliminary install for a head unit I ordered from china. Very easy and didn't have any problems. I did have a kit from crutchfield and it had step by step that showed what to do and what not to do. They recommend removing the negative before you disconnect anything. They also recommend not disconnecting the airbag light but rather removing the light from the pannel (while still connected to harness). I think another member mentioned this also a couple posts up. Even before I put everything back together I connected the battery post and did some testing (had a wire mismatch) and then put everything back together. It all works good for me. No problems. 2012 370Z Base/Sport.

:iagree:

i fixed my airbag with this! thanks first try haha