QuestionQUESTION: Hi,
The previous owner of my 89 saab 900 cut the radio wires so I can't use a harness. I am installing a Blaupunkt RPD-555, and I am sure I have everything connected correctly. However, the unit won't power on unless I connect the radio's yellow and red power wires to the car's ignition wire (red). It won't work if I connect the radio's yellow wire to the car's constant power wire (gray, as it should. And even though I can get the unit on, the power antenna doesn't work. I tried some other configurations (which I can't recall right now), and the got the power antenna to work...before I drained the battery. What is my problem?1
Here's the chart I used to find the right wires.
Battery / Memory Gray connects to Yellow
Ignition / Accessory Red connects to Red
Ground Black connects to Black
Power Antenna Green connects to Blue
ANSWER: That's the right wiring. Have you checked the fuse for the radio?
Another way is to run a fused 14 AWG wire from the battery or tap off the hot side of a fuse in the fuse panel for constant power.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: the fuse looks fine, but i will change it and try that first.
ok...i am novice, so if you don't mind, can you further explain your other suggestion? thanks!
AnswerYou can run a fused (10 amp or whatever is the fuse rating is for your radio) 14 AWG wire from the battery through a grommet in the firewall (part of the car that seperates the engine compartment from the cabin) to the radio. This method is the hardest to do.
OR
Pull out a fuse in the fuse panels that has constant power (horn, etc.) and use a meter or test light to find which side of the fuse receptical has power. Then use a fuse tap on that side of the fuse (when you put the fuse back) running a 14 AWG wire to power the radio. The wire to the radio should have a fuse as well.
You can get fuse taps at any auto parts store. In either case use an in-line fuse rated for the job also found at an auto parts store.
You can email me sparky3489@yahoo.co for any more questions.
