I'm trying to put in a new deck everything was going realatively ok, until I came accross the fact that I don't have a constant power source (for memory). I know which wire it should be (the single wire with the brown connector on the end of it) however it only shows power when the key is in the ACC position. On top of that I have 2 other wires which show power when the key is in ACC. Any suggestions about reasons why I don't have constant power would be very helpful. Also I'm curious about the 3 wires that show power in ACC.

Thanks in advance,

Brendan

 

Use a "Test Light or a meter" to find a constant 12V

 

Yes I did that....on every visible wire, and nothing, except when the key is on. I'm just wondering what the cause of this could be. I checked the Radio fuse and it's ok. So I'm stumped.

 

What year is the car? The '85 in your profile? There should be a single plug with a LY (blue w/ yellow stripe) wire that has power all of the time. There is also a 6 pin connector that has 4 wires in it (LY, LW, RG, L). The LY is constant power and the LW is switched.

There is a 15A fuse for the constant power (second one in on the right, I think) and there is a 20A for the switched (bottom fuse on that same column). Perhaps the 15A is missing or blown. I can't remember what the fuse is labeled on the cover. It appears that the 15A constant also powers the clock, hazard signals, interior lights, and a few other things.

Kent

 

thanks for the info...I will check that fuse, however the clock / hazards still operate...not sure about the interior lights. It is the '85 GS, I should have stated that earlier. That single wire you speak of I have tested and it only has power when the key is on. Hopefully it is that fuse. Thanks for the suggestions. I suppose if worst comes to worst I will run a new wire from the battery, which brings up another question: Where is a good spot to run a wire through the firewall? I know there is a rubber gromet on the drivers side but it seems pretty sealed up. Any suggestions?

 

you do not want to run a direct wire from your battery to the radio. tap into the constant that gsl-se addict mentioned. check your fuses. you can also tap into the harness that supports the clock and interior lighting as well.

 

On my '79, I tapped into a wire to the cigarette lighter. I don't remember off hand if the '85 will have a similar wire.

Rich

 

White with a red stripe will always be electrically connected to the + of the battery.