97 jbl rear tuner / new head unit

[mgreer13]

I've got a 97 explorer with the jbl tuner. I'm trying to install a new head unit and i can't get the power antenna to come up. I've done a search and read something about a trick with a 9 volt battery. Where are the wires i would connect it to? Also, i could only get power to the head unit when the Antenna (i think, the big roung wire) was pluged into the rear tuner (i'm useing the power wire harness i got at walmart that includes power, ign, dimmer and ground). What is my problem here? I'd like to be able to take all the jble stuff out. Is there anyway i can do this short of running new wires through the firewall? Sorry for the long post....just trying to get through the worst install of my life. I really hate jbl and ford for this one.

 

[mgreer13]

ttt

 

[MO_GUY]

dumb question but you always have to think of the obvious reasons first.........did you connect the power antenna wire from the wire harness to the wire harness on the stereo to the remote wire?

 

[mgreer13]

yeah, i've checked all the connections as far as the headunit wiring harnesses are concerned, but no such luck.

 

[mgreer13]

ttt

 

[onelasttry]

Also, i could only get power to the head unit when the Antenna (i think, the big roung wire) was pluged into the rear tuner

this is called grounding the head unit. obviously the factory ground is floating and the chassis ground of the antenna is the only ground you are getting. run a new ground wire. you should have enough potential difference to bias the antenna lead and it work then. if not, possibly the antenna is a negative trigger and needs a relay. i havent done an explorer in a looooooooooooonggggggg time.