Car Stereos: alpine clock issue, cigarette lighter, alpine cd

Question
Hi Scott, I am having a weird problem with my Alpine cd player in my 97 camaro.  When the ignition key is on the clock will not keep time.  The display lights up, and the unit plays fine.  It will, however keep time when the ignition is off. So...  time advances with ignition off/won't advance with ignition on.  Hope you can help with this head-scratcher.  thanks for your time, Bill

Answer
Bill, It sounds like you have some type of short going on with one of your power wires.  I do not think the short is in the radio harness itself, because I would think that a fuse would blow.  It may be in the accessory circuit somewhere, like the cigarette lighter or air conditioner control.  It really is a puzzler, and if there is no short found outside the radio, then it is just a faulty radio.  Hope this helps, Scott