My stupid mistake at the weekend :(

[ashleyt33]

I decided to install some of my car hi-fi at the weekend.

DLS components in the back
Polk Components in the front
4 channel amp in the boot.

All nearly done and looking mint.

Last job was to run the power cable from the battery to the boot.

Went and drilled the hole through the bulk head. no problems.

30sec's later, the door locks went mad, buzzing, alarm went off, interior lights went off.

I could not stop the alarm by taking the battery terminals off, so had to take the door cards of and unplug the connectors to the door locks.

Worked out that the relay I could hear clicking was coming from behind the glove box........took us ages to get all the gear out from behind there.

Looked at all the boxes, and I had drilled through the Anti Theft Housing!!!!!!!

Now I have no c/l alarm or e/w.

Found a braker with one for £20, but the main stealers wanter £286!!!!!

Should be here tuesday.

How stupid of me. lol. oh well.

At least the stereo sounds mint. lol.

So my tip of the day "look before you drill"

[andybee]

bad weekend then i just had problem get power cable with minebut with i little thing it was easy.

[mjb]

I decided to install some of my car hi-fi at the weekend.
...
Looked at all the boxes, and I had drilled through the Anti Theft Housing!!!!!!!

Oh my god... hahaha excellent! Well, not for you obviously... *cough* sorry

At least you didn't take out a loom or something! It could have been a lot worse...

[niz406]

So my tip of the day "look before you drill"

Or don't drill, just use the existing grommit that is perfect for 0 gauge cable... I'm using 2 gauge I think..... lol hey it was 5 years ago I installed it ! !

It would have taken you no time at all to run it through... oh well! I wonder what ever happened to my knowledge base article for running power cables ?!

[jameslxdt]

i did the same as niz, it was quite obvious on my car, though i know on the turbo the grommet is quite well hidden

[HDiAndy]

So my tip of the day "look before you drill"

My dad gave me some similar advice years ago but it was "look before you weld"

(His Mk3 Cortina caught fire getting welded up lol)

[niz406]

"look before you weld"

Are you sure it wasn't "Look whilst your welding" lol Through the mask of course !

[darrenwall]

this reminds me of a similair problem i had with my old 405 mi16 , rear lights leaked badly and under the rear seats filed with water so i took the easy option and drilled a small hole in the floor under the seat , but the drill bit pulled itself too far and went straight thro the top of the pertol tank . doh