My 1997 Pontic Sunfire will not start after installing aftermarket stereo!

Asked by Ihelfrich78 Mar 26, 2018 at 01:14 PM about the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire 4 Dr SE Sedan

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Here’s what happened.....yesterday I was installing a new
double din aftermarket stereo. I connected all of the wires
correctly and according to the instructions. I started the
car up during installation to ensure that the battery was
not dead due to keeping the door open and continuously
keeping the ignition in the on position to check the stereo,
and it started with no problems. However, the stereo was
not working, the ignition wire to the stereo had no power
so I disconnected the cigarette lighter and ran it to the
ignition wire of the stereo. The stereo works great, but
now the car will not start....no turnover, no click...nothing.
All of the lights work, every single fuse in the engine and
interior compartments have been double checked and are
good, recharged the battery 100% and it still will not start.
I did notice that there is an initial click sound just behind
the instrument panel or firewall and then it stops, also
there is a strange smell that seems to be coming from
around the steering column as well. I’m just at a loss and
need someone’s advice....from the outside looking in! All
of the lights and everything works, no anti-theft
activation...I’m stumped. Please help!

3 Answers

Also....I disconnected the new stereo that I installed and restored everything back to original and still no start!

1,285

I WOULD DISCONNECT STEREO SEE IF IT ISNT BAD WIRING JOB OR HOOKED INTO SOMETHING WRONG DONT WANT FIRE BEHIND DASH

Yeah, I disconnected the stereo and put back to original thinking that was the problem, but that didn’t help. I need to open up the steering columb and see if anything is burnt up because that’s where the smell seemed to be coming from. I just don’t understand how putting a stereo in would cause that, but maybe it didn’t. Could be coincidence or maybe from turning it on and off so many times. It’s just got me confused as to why it won’t start is all.

Your Answer:

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