meganame

I've posted this a few times around the net but I haven't gotten any responses. If I'm able to get an experts eyes on this, I'm hoping to get it all done today.
I apologize if I sound lazy. I assure you I put a lot of time into figuring everything out and doing it the way I thought I should. Obviously I've made a mistake, though, and need some guidance. Thank you in advance. (Also, I know this is a huge thread. Just wanted to offer all the info I have.)

I'm trying to install a Kenwood KDC-HD548U:
http://outlet.crutchfield.com/p_613H...U.html?tp=5684

With it, I ordered a Metra XSVI-6502-NAV Chrysler Interface:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1206502...e.html?tp=3486

And the antenna adapter:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_12040CR...r.html?tp=2569

When I installed it, I used butt splices. Since I'm having problems, I've removed the stereo and I'm going to solder/shrink tube them...just to be sure. The problem is that the documentation doesn't always match up with my vehicle. For instance, the lighter doesn't come apart the way they say it should, and they tell me not to use the mounting sleeve when I actually do have to use it or the stereo doesn't fit. Since I'm all "new guy" and had to think for myself, I really don't know if I wired everything up properly. I matched all the wires but there ended up being a few extra wires coming out of the Kenwood harness AND the patch harness. According to the instructions provided by Crutchfield, I'd done everything I should except one thing...I didn't route the accessory wire through the lighter. Now, the front-face iPod port works fine. The 3.5mm front-face port doesn't. I only get sound out of one speaker and it's terrible quality. (Low volume, poor quality, etc.) The 3.5mm jack that comes out of the harness adapter, I hooked up to nothing...I see nowhere to put it. The smaller harness coming from the adapter, also hooked that to nothing. I don't know if those are just Navigation parts that I don't need, since my Durango didn't come with a nav unit...there are a lot of things I don't know about this. I'm hoping someone else has gone through this and remembers how they hooked it up, or I can find an expert in the process. Do all the wire colors actually line up properly? I mean, red-to-red, green-to-green, etc. And the extra's can be ignored? The extra harness & 3.5mm jack can be ignored? The documentation isn't terrible; it's just across three different companies. I'm not familiar enough with this to know if they're all correct, you know? It would help if I could find a Dodge wiring diagram, but to be honest, I'm not sure I could figure it out with any confidence that I haven't made a mistake.

Would you guys mind helping me sort this out, please?

So, questions:
1. What are these wires that go to what appears to be a second lighter? (see pic)
2. Do the factory wires align with what Crutchfield, Kenwood, and the harness people say they are? (color-to-color) (Do need, don't need)
3. Should I be using the second harness and the 3.5mm jack for anything? (see pic)
4. Do I need to figure out how to route the accessory wire through the lighter like Crutchfield says? (If so, do you know how? I'm pretty sure Crutchfield documented the process wrong.)

Symptoms: (How I know I did something wrong...)
1. The 3.5mm AUX-in jack sounds terrible and comes out of only one speaker. (Front passenger.)
2. Almost every time I touch the unit to adjust volume, change station, etc, the face turns off momentarily. The sound doesn't cut out...just all the lights. Although, that, to me, sounds more like the face may be defective and not making full contact to the unit as it should.

NOTE: If any of the pics aren't loading, I got them to work by copying the image URL and just browsing to it.)














NOTES:
1. The Crutchfield page says the harness adapter is for 2005+. I drive a 2004. This is the adapter they sold me and when I called support, they told me it's for the 2004 as well. I also checked the manufacturer's page and they indicate it's for the 2004.


2. The only reference to wiring in the install guide:



3. The adapter harness instructions:




4. The Kenwood instructions:

420guy

iTrader: (5)

If you are around GTA and haven't got it figured out by the weekend hit me up and I can have a look and see what is going on for you.

Nick

meganame

Thanks for the offer but I'm in the mid-west US. It's really just wiring questions I have. What-goes-where type stuff. It's just a really long thread.

420guy

iTrader: (5)

Ahh too bad, I can usually figure it out in person. Never had any experience with a Durango.

Athanatos

Car Radio Battery Constant 12v+ Wire: Red/Blue
Car Radio Accessory Switched 12v+ Wire: Red/White
Car Radio Ground Wire: Black and Black/Light Green
Car Radio Illumination Wire: Black/Yellow
Car Stereo Dimmer Wire: Orange
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Dark Green
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/Red
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Brown/Yellow
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/Light Blue
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): White
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Dark Blue/Red
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Brown/White
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/Orange

meganame

I found the pin layout for the factory connector:



I don't know what some of them are, though.
CAV 1 and 12: Are those AUX wires?
CAV 5 & 6: What are they?

It lists this (C2) one as well, but I don't have one that went to my factory stereo. Maybe that's the problem? Is this going somewhere else? I saw a second connector somewhere, I don't remember where, but something about a connector going behind the pannel closest to my right knee. I assumed it was for the nav system. (I don't have the nav system, of course.)

meganame

That doesn't match up with the layout I found here:
http://goo.gl/SK8ZQ
Thoughts?

Rain Drop

So, questions:
1. What are these wires that go to what appears to be a second lighter? (see pic)
Most likely a constant power 12v or switched ignition lighter port that isn't used. Very common from Dodge to do
2. Do the factory wires align with what Crutchfield, Kenwood, and the harness people say they are? (color-to-color) (Do need, don't need)
Only the adapters are color coded, not the factory wiring from Dodge
3. Should I be using the second harness and the 3.5mm jack for anything? (see pic)
If it don't fit, don't use it. If it works without it, perfect
4. Do I need to figure out how to route the accessory wire through the lighter like Crutchfield says? (If so, do you know how? I'm pretty sure Crutchfield documented the process wrong.)
Probably not, if it turns on with the key and saves your settings its got proper constant 12v and ignition. I think Chrysler didn't include a 12v ignition in the 05+ cars so they made you get a signal from the switched 12v lighter

Symptoms: (How I know I did something wrong...)
1. The 3.5mm AUX-in jack sounds terrible and comes out of only one speaker. (Front passenger.)
2. Almost every time I touch the unit to adjust volume, change station, etc, the face turns off momentarily. The sound doesn't cut out...just all the lights. Although, that, to me, sounds more like the face may be defective and not making full contact to the unit as it should.
These sound like an issue with the faceplate but double check your ground and make sure nothing is shorting out

meganame

@RainDrop
Thank you. I'll take care to properly re-ground when I solder/shrink it this weekend. I was afraid the AUX input sound problem was related to routing through the lighter. Obvious lack of knowledge on my part, I'm sure.

Athanatos

before you attach the wires again put power directly to the unit from a battery (power to red/yellow and ground out black) and see if it work, at least save some aggravation if the unit itself has a problem and not your wiring system