Car Stereos: remote wire for 2005 GMC Sierra, amp fuse, gmc sierra

Question
I have a PAC adaptor to hook up RCAs to the 2005 GMC Sierra factory radio, but I need to find a way to hook up a remote wire for the amp.  Can I tap into the radio power wire, and have the amp turn off when I turn the ignition key off?

Answer
Hi Chuck,

Unfortunately, there is no key-switched power wire in the factory radio harness of an 05 Sierra.  The factory radio in this truck is switched on and off through a digital data signal, not a switched power wire.  The only power wire in the radio harness is the "memory" wire, which is powered at all times.

If you're okay having the amplifier working with the key switch (not staying on until the door is opened like the factory radio) then you can just tap the accessory power wire in the key switch harness.  This is easily accessible if you remove the knee panel and metal guard piece under the steering column.  The accessory wire is a thick brown wire, that runs from the key switch harness over to the back of the fuse box on the driver's end of the dash.  If you tap your amp's remote wire into this key switch wire, be sure to put a 1-amp fuse on your remote wire near the tap point.

Hope this helps!

Brian