Here's my problem... I took out my alpine 3-disk changer and wired it into the adapter for the riocar.

I had 4 wires: Power, ground, amp remote, and ignition

I wired everything in and when I slide the rio into the bay it doesn't do anything... just sits there and makes me sad

any ideas?

I stuck the power and ground wires together and it blew a fuse, so I don't think I have the wires in the wrong place.

If you shorted the leads, check that all the fuses are still OK. Do this with a multimeter. Also check the car leads with a multimeter. As long as you have it hooked up as per the manual, it should start up.

try changing the fuse?

no really, we need a little more info here. reread the entire install section of the FAQ. then try a couple of things. double check your wiring. easiest, if you have a multimeter, (or a maybe a 12 volt battery tester?) is check that the voltage of the always on line and the switched are 12 volts when they should be with respect to your ground. You can dismiss the amp remote line for now if you unit isn't booting up. I assume it works in the house, of course. those are quick things to check.

john

I replaced the fuse (obviously) and used a battery tester to check the power and ground and it works

I then plugged it into the docking bay and checked it's connections and that worked.

I checked what I have leading to the ignition sensor and didn't get a current with the ignition on or off.. not sure if I should have

And I checked what I have leading to the amp remote and it did have a current... somewhat high it seemed. I think I may have the amp remote and ignition sensor wired into the wrong place. My old stereo never turned off when I turned off my ignition, so I think that wiring's been messed up for a while anyway.

Is this a possible cause of my problem? I'm gonna follow the wiring back from my amp and see where it leads... the guy who owned my car before me did a hack up job on the wiring, so it's tough to look around

If it never gets a signal over the ACC line, I can't see how it would ever know to cut on. I don't remember if it will turn on if you press the top button without getting a signal from the ACC, but you can try....

I think I may have the amp remote and ignition sensor wired into the wrong place. My old stereo never turned off when I turned off my ignition, so I think that wiring's been messed up for a while anyway. Is this a possible cause of my problem?

Yes, this could possibly be the cause of the problem.

If you are lucky, you didn't fry anything. If you are unlucky, you might need to send your player in for repair.

I've got it sitting here playing right now, so nothing's fried

see:
http://tallica0.no-ip.com:81

I checked what I have leading to the ignition sensor and didn't get a current with the ignition on or off.. not sure if I should have

bingo

it wont start up without an ignition voltage. Try joining the power and ign lines (NOT THE POWER AND GROUND!!!) into the riocar. it should start up in this fashion.
You might prefer to install a temporary switch for the ign lead if the current lead is faulty.

ps. Think carefully about which wires you are joining, letting smoke out of the player is BAD.

how many volts goes through the ignition lead?

if the ignition lead is also 12v then I can splice that off my power to my CB radio which is wired to the accessory spot in my fuse box... I have a feeling the moron who had my car before me has my ignition sensor attached to the wrong thing

Found my manual

Bingo!

I think I'll just splice the ignition lead into my fuse box... I don't know where it's going now and I don't really care.

Splice your cigrette lighter lead. It is switched.

Again, it's probably switched. Check it first.

click me

Auugh. Since that brought up the Install forum, I now have to read it all now, otherwise it'll forget what I haven't read if I go anywhere else. Please don't do that again (at least not without warning).