I've instaleed many stereo systems in a couple of trucks and never had problems. I am always cautious not to let any wires touch. But now, unless my truck is on, the lights, my dome light, my horn, or my door lock switch will not work. And the only way for my (aftermarket) stereo to come on is to hardwire it to the battery. Dont know what the problem is and dont want to pay a shop a butt load of money for them to tell me it cant be fixed. If any knowledge let me know.

Thanks

 

First thing I would do is go back and reconnect all my wiring back like it was the first time and see if that works or not. I also installed for many years and was MECP for 4 yrs but I still either worked too fast sometimes or in poor light would think a brown wire is black and things like that. So just take some time out to go back and double check everything.

On a side note, did you use after market harnesses or run new wire to everything?

 

i connected the factory truck harness to the harness that came with the aftermarket stereo

 

There is I believe a blue turn-on wire that the factory harness has that maybe you hooked up to your remote lead? if so remove it and hook your remote lead to the IGN source. That's if you even have any amps.
A previous member had issue's with some things and that was the cause. There's def something within the radio that you have connected causing the problem because the door switch, dome light..etc all work off the radio circuit.

Good luck

 

I have the exact same problem! I re-connected the factory wiring, but it did not fix the problem. Basically, the electrical system is dead unless the ignition switch is in the ON position, and even then the aftermarket stereo won't work. There are no fuses blown, but it seems like I interrupted the constant 12v that ran to the old stereo somehow.

Is there maybe a fusable link or something somwhere?

This is the most frustrating stereo installation I've ever tried. I've never had any problems like this. I hope someone out there has the answer!