Ah, I got access to the Helms Manual for a 00-03 S2000, and I noticed there are 2 fuses that run for the head unit. One is labeled Audio, but the other is labeled accessory. When I get home I'll try swapping the accessory fuse and see if that fixes the problem. Since I already said it seems like the white/red wire (ignition) was the culprit and that happens to run off the accessory fuse I'm pretty sure that this is my problem. I haven't tried my accessory socket, but I'm guessing that is probably not working either.

Thanks to mas for pointing me to a thread which made the same suggestion! The Helms manual confirmed what mas had suggested.

If it isn't the accessory fuse, then I have no idea what else it could be.

 

i know this -- accessory fuse.

 

first you should take a test light or multimeter and go over EVERY fuse in the fuse box. If that doesnt work then run a new power wire directly to the battery. You're supposed to run atleast a 10gauge power cable anyway. Just make sure the red igniton wire has power when you turn on the key. ground the bitch and you're ready to rock. The s2k's dont really have a whole lot of room behind the radio so make sure your wires are spot on in term of wire length.


( The 9855 is awesome isnt it? )

 

i'm telling ya... accessory fuse is your issue.

try it first. been there, done that. several times. (not mine, but troubleshooting other people's problems here....) your OEM description is dead on.

 

Yup, after looking at the Helms manual, I knew it was 99.9% the accessory fuse too. I didn't know the accessory outlet was also wired to the ignition wire for the radio. I pulled out the 10 amp fuse for the accessory outlet and it was definitely shot.

Replaced it with the spare 10 amp in the engine bay and poof, all was well again. Got it put all back together and it looks and sounds great now.

Now my only problem is figuring out which fuse to replace it with. I bought the large fuses at Radio Shack which were obviously too big. I bought the minis at Advanced Auto but they were too small ... So I've got to take the bad one and see if I can find a match now

Thanks for all your help guys! If I owned the Helms manual I would have figured this out immediately on my own. I'm thinking its probably a good idea to invest in one now.

 

Yep, I blew that same one when I got a DC vacuum cleaner. Plug in... poof.. radio is dead. Scary as hell!!

If you find a replacement fuse, please let me know. I ended up putting in a stronger fuse since I planned on vacuuming again in the future (apt building... no A/C plug in the garage).

 

glad to hear it's good now.