Problem with aftermarket head unit

I bought my 2002 BMW 325ci with an aftermarket Pioneer head unit already installed but no steering wheel control module. I decided to install one myself. Got everything hooked up with the battery disconnected, reconnected the battery, programmed the SWC unit, and everything worked great.

Then I made a mistake. I forgot to disconnect the battery before pushing the wiring harness and head unit back into its slot. As I was doing so, I heard some odd noises and then the sound cut off. Head unit was still getting power, just mo sound. I kicked myself for not disconnecting the battery and proceeded to check all fuses. No blown fuses in the glove box or on the head unit.

After checking fuses, I tried to turn it back on and now there is no power to the head unit.

Fuses 7 and 41 are good, tried switching with others.

Please help. Did I fry something? Hidden fuse somewhere?

Help is much appreciated.

I moved your thread over to the E46 forum. You will have better luck in here.

Tim

There's often a fuse on the back of the aftermarket head unit.

Thanks Tim for the move. I checked the fuse on the back of the stereo. It's not blown.

Maybe you broke one of the power or ground wires loose. From your description, I'd say the wiring was badly done. It wasn't correctly insulated if you shorted something just moving it around. It probably wasn't soldered together well either.

Fair enough. I'll check the wiring. I used wire connector tube crimps and them wrapped them up in in electrical tape for extra insulation. Not sufficient?

Originally Posted by joegr

There's often a fuse on the back of the aftermarket head unit.

This.

Originally Posted by JoshBosh

Fair enough. I'll check the wiring. I used wire connector tube crimps and them wrapped them up in in electrical tape for extra insulation. Not sufficient?

I assumed that someone else had done the main install and you just added the steering wheel adapter. Anyway, if all the connections are well insulated, then maybe it's just that a wire pulled loose. I really don't like home crimped connections. It's much better to solder if you can. (Yes, professionally crimped connections with factory tooling are better than soldered connections on cars. However those cheap barrel connectors with the $10 crimp tool are far from that.)