2023 Frontier CB install

richardfiorella26 said:

Hello,
I'm not new to CB installations but this 2023 truck has me stumped. I wanted to use the 12v outlet to power the radio but don't know what the amp rating is and can't find it anywhere. I temporarily hooked up power direct to battery and have the same problem. When I transmit all it does is buzz on the receiving radio. Usually that indicates not enough power to drive the transmitter, but I had it direct to the battery with same result unless my connection wasn't very good. Has anyone encountered this kind of problem?

regards to all,
Rich

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Try hooking the radio to a stand-alone battery and see what the rest is. Sounds to me like your radio's bad.

No, radio is good in another vehicle. But I will try your idea.
thanks.

Does anybody know what the 12v outlet amp rating is?

richardfiorella26 said:

Does anybody know what the 12v outlet amp rating is?

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In the second Gen it's 20a, I would expect the 3rd to be the same.

Ok, what is second and third generation? The truck?

Not to ask the obvious but, do you have the CB antenna connected to the unit when you try to transmit? The standard 12v socket should have more than enough power for just a CB, I don’t think lack of amperage is your issue here.

raine said:

Not to ask the obvious but, do you have the CB antenna connected to the unit when you try to transmit? The standard 12v socket should have more than enough power for just a CB, I don’t think lack of amperage is your issue here.

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Agreed. I have had CBs in several vehicles and never observed this type of behaviour.

Yes of course. And yes, I agree there should enough power from outlet. I'm going to try the separate battery idea just to see what happens, this is very puzzling. What is also weird is that when the cell phone charger is plugged in to the outlet sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. This is a brand-new truck got it in February.
thanks,

richardfiorella26 said:

Yes of course. And yes, I agree there should enough power from outlet. I'm going to try the separate battery idea just to see what happens, this is very puzzling. What is also weird is that when the cell phone charger is plugged in to the outlet sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. This is a brand-new truck got it in February.
thanks,

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Have you popped a voltmeter on that 12v outlet? Possible there's an under- or over-voltage situation and it's zorched your radio?

richardfiorella26 said:

Yes of course. And yes, I agree there should enough power from outlet. I'm going to try the separate battery idea just to see what happens, this is very puzzling. What is also weird is that when the cell phone charger is plugged in to the outlet sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. This is a brand-new truck got it in February.
thanks,

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The fact that a different device gives you intermittent functionality makes the outlet suspicioso.
Like the suggestion above, I'd say try a completely different car battery. If the radio still does nothing, there's the answer.

zercool said:

Have you popped a voltmeter on that 12v outlet? Possible there's an under- or over-voltage situation and it's zorched your radio?

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I don't think it would be that sensitive to scorch a CB... unless you're talking like, mega high voltage. Plus - don't most CBs have a fused power line?

raine said:

The fact that a different device gives you intermittent functionality makes the outlet suspicioso.
Like the suggestion above, I'd say try a completely different car battery. If the radio still does nothing, there's the answer.

I don't think it would be that sensitive to scorch a CB... unless you're talking like, mega high voltage. Plus - don't most CBs have a fused power line?

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A fused line would only protect from overcurrent, not overvoltage, technically, but I can't see what in a 12v system could be voltage over and above operating standard that could be sourced from anything reasonable. Even an alternator full-fielded will rarely go above about 16.0-ish so yeah, it's theoretically possible but you'd see a whole raft of other things going on too, bulbs flaring brightly or burning out, other electronics impacted, etc, just doesn't sound very plausible.
I think the radio or the antenna's at fault until some other interesting evidence is provided.

RyanD1966 said:

A fused line would only protect from overcurrent, not overvoltage, technically, but I can't see what in a 12v system could be voltage over and above operating standard that could be sourced from anything reasonable. Even an alternator full-fielded will rarely go above about 16.0-ish so yeah, it's theoretically possible but you'd see a whole raft of other things going on too, bulbs flaring brightly or burning out, other electronics impacted, etc, just doesn't sound very plausible.
I think the radio or the antenna's at fault until some other interesting evidence is provided.

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100% agreed. My bet is on equipment, not power source.

Problem resolved. Truck doesn't like a mag mount antenna. Changed to a bolt-on 3/8-24 mount with a 5ft. Fire Stick attach to pick-up bed. SWR is less then 2 and radio transmits great using the 12v outlet. Phase two will be running the power harness through the firewall straight to the battery.
Anyone have suggestions where to gain access on firewall?

richardfiorella26 said:

Problem resolved. Truck doesn't like a mag mount antenna. Changed to a bolt-on 3/8-24 mount with a 5ft. Fire Stick attach to pick-up bed. SWR is less then 2 and radio transmits great using the 12v outlet. Phase two will be running the power harness through the firewall straight to the battery.
Anyone have suggestions where to gain access on firewall?

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Easiest/most practical way is through the firewall on the left side of the truck. Next to the master cylinder, you'll see the main harness pass-through plus a smaller plug to the left.
Yes, that means you'll have to run wires from the upper-right corner of the engine bay (where the master cylinder is) to the lower left corner of the engine bay (where the battery is).
If you want to try the right side* you'll have to go behind the fender liner, then in behind the HVAC assembly in front of the passenger under the glove box.

*don't try the right side, unless you really, really want to spend some time disassembling things

raine said:

Easiest/most practical way is through the firewall on the left side of the truck. Next to the master cylinder, you'll see the main harness pass-through plus a smaller plug to the left.

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Hey Raine, first thank you for all the great info you provide. Just a FYI - He has a 2023 and there is a computer there now on the drivers side corner. Not sure if the pass-through is still there as that was for trucks with manual 6 speed and now has new sheetmetal.

I used that hole to run a GMRS radio antenna on my 2019. I had a 2020 for about 9 months and didn't have it long enough to see what is under that computer.

Cheers!

Ok, thank you. That is a least a hint to where to begin. The engine compartment is so congested, and I don't want to destroy anything.

One thing I noticed now is that the passenger side window goes up really slow. Had the same problem on my 2004. Is this normal or what. You can hear the motor and sounds like it is straining to go up. Is this common among these trucks?

DukeofVegas33 said:

Hey Raine, first thank you for all the great info you provide. Just a FYI - He has a 2023 and there is a computer there now on the drivers side corner. Not sure if the pass-through is still there as that was for trucks with manual 6 speed and now has new sheetmetal.

I used that hole to run a GMRS radio antenna on my 2019. I had a 2020 for about 9 months and didn't have it long enough to see what is under that computer.

Cheers!

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1. HAH! I totally didn't notice the "2023" part in the thread title LOL

2. As far as I have heard, the hole is still there, it's just not as easy to access due to that ECU being placed there. I'll be honest - haven't actually been able to take a good look at the inside of the engine bay on the new 3rd gen, so I may be wrong, heh 😬

Found rubber grommet in firewall on drivers' side which comes out behind brake pedal padding inside cab. EASY PEEZY. Though the grommet fell down inside the cab between padding and firewall, but it is a 1/4-inch hole for running the power cable. Snaked it through with a thin steel whip element I had. I'll try and find that grommet someday...