Aftermarket Stereo, Car wont run.

Alright, I installed a Sony head unit. Plugged it into the "mystery" plug and disconnected the amp. The stereo will play music, but now the car will not start. I did not connect the ground to the new stereo because there is no post sticking out of the stereo. I plugged the old premium sound stereo, amp, and EQ back in, and reconnect the ground and the car will still not start.

The car will start with the key in the on position and the starter solenoid jumped, so could this be the clutch switch?

I would check the clutch switch, sounds like it could be the starter solenoid too. Did you connect and stereo equiptment to it for a hot lead ?

I dont understand what you're asking, but I the aftermarket head unit is connected via generic wire harness. I'm pretty sure it's not the starter solenoid because I jumped it and the car started. I'm leaning towards clutch switch.

I have my subs getting power from a post on the starter solenoid. I meant if you tried to power amps or anything from the starter soleniod there would probably be a better chance of damaging it.
Check the clutch switch and let us know what ya find. It could be several things.

Take a look in the faq's for info about aftermarket stereo's. Also, there's a wealth of info from past posts regarding the same. Search the general discussion forum and you'll have an evening's worth of reading.

Nothing is being powered off of the starter solenoid.

I've searched and only found one post that is similar to my problem. Could the stereo not being grounded cause the car not to start from the ignition switch?

I jumped the clutch switch (I think I did it properly) and the car still wont start. I drove the car at most 10-15 minutes before I started installing the stereo and I've never had any major problems with the car not starting. I'm 99.9% positive it has something to do with the installation of the stereo.

I would disconnect your "new" wiring not remove it but disconnect it. This will get you back to what you started with. Then see what happens. You could simply have had an ignition switch go bad at the same time. If you know the solenoid jumped works then it could be the solenoid itself or the ignition switch. Troubleshoot starting with what you know works. Also some wiring or wiring mistake could have possible caused a failure (i cant say exactly what/how you wired everything). It is always good to have things grounded well but starting you car is another issue.

I disconnected the new head unit and reconnected the old system. The ground to the stereo, antenna, wiring, amp, EQ, and the car still did not start.

Originally posted by Buck Choklit:
Alright, I installed a Sony head unit. Plugged it into the "mystery" plug and disconnected the amp. The stereo will play music, but now the car will not start. I did not connect the ground to the new stereo because there is no post sticking out of the stereo. I plugged the old premium sound stereo, amp, and EQ back in, and reconnect the ground and the car will still not start.

The car will start with the key in the on position and the starter solenoid jumped, so could this be the clutch switch?

Did you by chance maybe cross connect the starter switch with the faulty amplifier button? Have you tried sticking a tooth pick in your ignition?

Sorry to make lite of the situation... I know it can be frustrating...