Installing a new stereo without disconnecting the car batt?

gizmo1990

gizmo1990

gizmo1990

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Basically as per the title!?

I've just found out that my cars alarm can't be turned off because the cable running from the key mechanism has broken off. So of course when I disconnet the battery the alarm kicks off! :rolleyes: :mad:

So what are the chances of ***** my new stereo up if I try and install it without disconnecting the battery first?

Any advice appreciated.

Don't swear! Read the faqs. FF.
 
gizmo1990 said:
Basically as per the title!?

I've just found out that my cars alarm can't be turned off because the cable running from the key mechanism has broken off. So of course when I disconnet the battery the alarm kicks off! :rolleyes: :mad:

So what are the chances of ****** my new stereo up if I try and install it without disconnecting the battery first?

Any advice appreciated.
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i put a new HU in on wednesday, did not take the battery out at all. i have iso plugs tho. even if you dont, ive done it many times before without taking the batt off. just have to make sure your lives etc are secure and tidy and its earthed properly
 
Thanks for the reply Adz.

The manual recommends you disconnecting the battery before taking out your old one and installing a new one? :confused: Plus when I've been reading up about installing new stereos they mention doing it too??

So your saying there's no risk of damaging the stereo then?
 
I always disconnect the neg from the battery when doing car audio work, so if I touch a wire in the wrong place it wont melt anything or damage the kit.
 
does it have ISO blocks?

i bet you can easily kill it if you do stupid things with the power cables, but with ISO blocks thats pretty hard anyway.
 
Obviously it goes without saying that you'd want to disconnect the battery (or pull the stereo fuse?) if you're going to be splicing wires but with block connectors there's really nothing to go wrong. The manual probably recommends disconnecting the battery so that you don't sue if a freak spark ignites something and burns your car to a cinder.

Note - advice provided without warranty. I will not give you £300 for a new stereo if it implodes :p.
 
Thanks for the replies guys!

Yes my 306 does have iso blocks so it looks like I'll be 'gingerly' attempting this tomorrow!

Can't be arsed to do it by torch light now, even though I'm gagging to install the new stereo. ;)
 
gizmo1990 said:
Thanks for the replies guys!

Yes my 306 does have iso blocks so it looks like I'll be 'gingerly' attempting this tomorrow!

Can't be arsed to do it by torch light now, even though I'm gagging to install the new stereo. ;)
Click to expand...
i did mine one night after work, the hardest bit was fitting the 3 preouts behind the dash and re running the remote cable for my amp. wiring it takes 15 seconds, just remember to put the cage in first and then put the loom through the cage.
 
Hmm, interesting read, I'm going to be installing a retro stereo when it gets here...so that won't have any ISOs on it...but if the manual says so...I may just disconnect the battery just to be on the safe side.

On a related note, when I was installing a new rear differential on my car, it said 'Please disconnect the battery' on the manual. I didn't bother, but nothing came of it and there wasn't any damage.
 
ANY powered item you fit to a car will always have "Remove or disconnect the battery" as the first step, the same as Megadrive games had pictures showing you not to immerse them in water, hit them with a hammer etc.

It's common sense.

It's to stop berks giving themselves a shock or damaging anything.

If a stereo is on then touching the positive and negative speaker connections together can burn out that channel, something to bear in mind.
 
If you're doing a "plug-n-play" installation, then there's no need to disconnect the battery.

But if you're doing a full-on install of amps, CD changer, HU, speakers, et al, then it's a good idea to disconnect the battery. Running a live amp power lead throughout your car is just asking for an electrical fire.

Or if you're having to do any splices for power leads, even a split second touching to earth will let out all the magic smoke in quite a few wires and/or components.......
 
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