Where to get current

[Tillong]

OK so I can't figure out this half working CD player for my life. I figure that if the cd player only ejects and accepts CDs thats the same as it would do with the car off. So obviously its missing some kind of signal that the car is on. As I figure it the head units only got three functional wires (ie wires that aren't speakers) power, ground, and something that is Constant +12V DC (I would assume thats some kind of remote turn on wire like on an amp). I'm not sure where to get that current though (I tried wrapping it around the fuse in the fuse box by taking speaker wire and just twisting the ends together, but no results). So any ideas on where I can get this Constant +12V DC source? And if I need something more than just some speaker wire twisted together to carry it?

Thanks again
Paul

 

[SHOZ123]

There is constant 12v+ at the ignition switch that's fairly easy to get to. Also the headlight switch.

<small>[ October 29, 2002, 10:05 AM: Message edited by: SHOZ123 ]</small>

 

[Tillong]

Where exactly could I tap into that constant +12V in this ignition switch (what color wire and where). Thanks so much.

 

[SHOZ123]

How about the cigar lighter. Glove box light should be hot at the switch 24/7 too.

<small>[ October 30, 2002, 08:18 PM: Message edited by: SHOZ123 ]</small>

 

[ericwick19]

A lack of constant power to the head unit would not cause just the cd player not to work properly. The constant is so the radio has memory, so you dont have to reset your presents every time you turn the ignition off. So, if your presets stay set to the channels you have pre-selected, your constant is present. Also, the only wires the system has is not speakers, power (ignition & constant), and ground, it also has power antanne (yellow/black wire), radio illumination (orange/black & lightblue/red wire). Anyways, if you really do need to tap into a constant wire, some choices are: heavy guage yellow wire coming from ignition switch (recommended), hot side of brake switch, hot side of lighter, hot side of glove box switch. The proper way to connect to these wires are with scotch-locks on heavy guage wires, or t-taps on the other smaller wires, soldering would also be great. No matter what wire you tap into you should fuse within 6 inches of the connection.