So, I decided I wanted a new radio in my 2003 Dodge ram 1500, the previous owner had messed up the wires, so I couldn't get a new wire harness. I cut the old harness off, and used butt connectors to attach the new harness. I am positive that I connected the wires correctly. After everything was connected, I plugged in the new radio and, nothing. I went back and found out that the constant wire was completely dead. There were no rips in the wires, and I tested all the fuses which were fine. Idk if the wire is fried or not, if so what should I do?

 

If you have a probe you can check the fuse panel, find a constant dc source, and tap in. Or, you can run a wire directly to the battery, just be sure to fuse it. If you are installing an amp anyway you can run the amp wire and constant together.

 

 

I'm not a fan of butt connectors. I prefer to twist the wires together, solder them and then insulate with black tape. I dread getting a vehicle where a kid took a system out. They usually hack it in and then slash it out. Then again, when I was a kid, there was 3 maybe 4 wires to a radio.

 

Replaced the fuse 51, radio works now. Thanks for all the help though!