Hi guys,

I drive an 83 GS and I'm having an issue with the factory stereo. A couple of weeks ago, I took the center console out to clean and paint it. I left the stereo in place and didn't touch it other than pulling off the ***** and face (required to remove the center console). Otherwise I just unplugged the climate control, headlight switch, cigarette lighter etc. Now with it reassembled and everything plugged back in, I just get static and noise from the stereo. It worked fine before. I'm wondering if anything else I messed with could have affected the stereo, but I've checked multiple times and I am pretty sure I got everything plugged back in. Any ideas?

 

have you checked the cable for the antenna? whether you touched it or not, that would be my first guess.

also, i'm moving this to the Gen I forum since you're not new any more.

 

Maybe a weird ground loop with the cigarette lighter ground touching the stereo chassis? Yes, this is a stretch.

 

Thanks, wasn't sure when the cutoff was and figured I still know nothing so maybe I counted. lol

I wasn't sure which cable is for the antenna. Didn't even touch the stereo so didn't look at it. Since it seemed sensitive to other plugs being plugged/unplugged, that's what I was focusing on. I will take a look tomorrow.

I was also wondering about some kind of weird ground loop. I'm gonna try to make sure everything is isolated and nothing is touching anything it shouldn't.

 

Didn't have the time to pull the center console back out today, but did look under there and try to ensure everything was plugged in appropriately. Here's what I found.

Looking behind the console from the passenger footwell:
The little brown connector is the only thing from this view I found unplugged. I don't recall ever unplugging it. Anybody know what it is?


Again from the passenger footwell. The stereo is top middle in this view. The harness plug was firmly seated. I couldn't find anything out of place.


Last one from passenger footwell. The stereo is at the top. The little things in the foreground I'm not sure about. I feel like they weren't all plugged in when I originally looked in there. Can anyone provide guidance about these plugs?


Front view of the mystery connectors.




These seem to be tied in to the stereo somehow. The two on the left are bundled together with the plug that plugs into the cubbyhole. The ones on the right are tied into the cigarette lighter. They made a lot of static and popping sounds when I was handling them.

Anybody out there who can provide some insight? Specifically, I want to make sure I have this little plugs going to the correct places.

 

I have an 84 GSL.
I replaced the factory audio unit, so this may not help much.

In the attached image, the yellow arrow is pointing to what appears to be the antenna cable.
The red arrow is pointing at a gap in one of the audio connectors, speaker or to one of the two amps. I don't think there should be a gap.

It may help if you download the FSM (factory service manual) for your year or the closest year. I have the 85 documentation. Specifically you may want the 85RX7(15)Body_Electrical, if your system looks like one in the other attached image.

To download the FSM go to the sticky at the top of the forum page.

 

Thanks, I'll try and tighten up that connection.

 

There is a great repair shop in Anaheim CA if you have questions or need help.

 

I think you might have the black lead and the red lead w/white stripe incorrect. its been a long time since I messed with the 83 stereo.
However, go to Foxed.com and download or open the 83 Mazda Factory Wiring manual and it should clear up any confusion you have.

Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals