Help! I keep blowing fuses on my head unit

[[email protected]]

I've got a Clarion DXZ645MP (built-in Sirius support) that I purchased
through Crutchfield and yes, installed myself (which I'm sure is where
the problem lies).

I had a couple Alpines in before the Clarion and for a good six months
or so, there were no problems whatsoever. My wife had gone on a long
trip and was listening to Sirius when, supposedly, it all of a sudden
cut out and she no longer had the Sirius option. While I believed her,
I thought there might have also been some type of user error and found
that the 3A 250V fuse to the bus power lead had blown. I replaced it
and it was good for another couple of months.

The next time, it blew on me and I haven't been able to get the thing
to not blow immediately since then. I don't even know how many fuses
I've gone through, but I'm pretty sure I'm now one of the top fuse
buyers in the area.

This weekend, I thought I pretty much had it as I yanked the unit
(which has subsequently been swapped out as I thought it might have
been the culprit), and re-did any questionable crimp jobs. It worked
ok and I buttoned it up and was satisfied that I'd found the problem.
Monday morning, I got in to drive to work and as soon as I turned the
key, saw the head unit give its ominous "System check complete" message
and sure enough, the Sirius option was no longer available.

I'm a computer guy and not a car stereo guy so I'm fairly used to
troubleshooting. I don't know what would have caused the sudden change
in fuse stability as it had been good for months and now can't even get
out of the driveway without it blowing. Does anyone have any
suggestions on what might be causing this behaviour? (And BTW, the 15A
fuse right next to the 3A has never blown but that looks like it's just
a memory backup).

Thanks in advance!

[Sub_Lover]

I'm a little confused. Do you have a fuse for your Sirius tuner. My
HU has one fuse for the deck and the Sirius tuner doesn't have it's own
power source. Can you please explain this better. For now I would
call Clarion tech support and ask them if you can use a heavier guage
fuse.

[[email protected]]

When I orignally installed the head unit, I just hooked up the 15A line
and figured I didn't need the 3A. Once on and when no Sirius option
was listed, I called Crutchfield tech support and they said that yeah,
it's not really documented well, but you've got to do the 3A for the
tuner. I did that and all was right in the world (for a while at
least).

The head unit has two yellow cables that run from the back -- one that
goes to the 15A fuse (the memory back-up lead) and one that goes to the
3A fuse (bus power lead). Following the head unit out, it goes through
both lines and separate fuses, then comes together to a single yellow
line and out. I don't know if this is where the problem lies, but I'd
sure like to be able to listen to my Sirius again :)

Thanks!

[Sub_Lover]

If I understand you correctly you have a built in Sirius tuner and it
has its own power source. I would call Clarion and see if you have the
right fuse. They have slow blow fuses and fast blow fuses. You may
have the wrong type or size. Also, I would ask for a senior tech guy
at Crutchfield. You paid for their help and they need to stand behind
this service agreement.