MärkJ

Hi guys, hope someone can give me a bit of info on this...

I have fitted an aftermarket Pioneer head unit in my TA and everything appears to be working fine bar this minor annoyance. In order to get the unit to power up the ignition must be set to position 2 (ie with all the dash gauges powered up and fuel pump initialized) although the engine doesn't necessarily have to be running. Not really an issue when driving but if for example I wanted to listen to the radio whilst parked up I would prefer it if the unit would power up when the ignition is set to position 1. Unfortunately most of the stereo wiring had been previously butchered when I acquired the car so I'm just wondering whether the entire system had been designed to operate this way or whether I just have a car full of slag wiring. Have I just connected up a wrong wire to the unit's accessory power lead or is it possible to run another wire so that operates in position 1?

I'm a bit stumped.

Thanks guys.

HCR13

iTrader: (5)

I'm kind of confused on what you're asking. My 87 Trans Am only has 2 key positions (not counting "off")...it has 1.ON-everything lights up (your position 2) and 2.Crank-start engine. Than back to 1. Now, if I insert the key and turn the key toward me, the opposite of cranking, the radio only turns on. If you turn your key back and the radio doesn't turn on, then its possibly wired incorrectly. Does the time display reset back to 12 (or default) every time you start it? If so, I would check to make sure your constant 12v and your ignition 12v are not backwards on the radio. Let us know what happens!

MärkJ

Okay thanks... I'll check the wiring again later just to make sure. The head unit seems to be retaining all the memory settings so I'm thinking I got it wired right.

However, at the risk of sounding like a complete Limey imbecile I was unaware that you could turn the ignition towards you from the off position so that is more than likely where I'm going wrong. Surely though that means I have a 5 position iginiton barrel?

Anyway thanks for your help... I'm off to check whether my ignition barrel does turn the other way before you guys start taking the p**!

MärkJ

Okay now I feel a complete div... All the years I've had that car I never realised that you could turn the ignition switch backwards from the off position. It was a bit stiff (obviously 'cause I have never used it) but I managed to coax it round and the radio came on exactly like you said it would just as I was hoping.

Thanks for your help, much appreciated... I'm now off to grow some extra brain cells!

HCR13

iTrader: (5)

haha, no problem friend....I think I didn't know myself until 6 months after I had the car also. I'm glad it wasn't anything more serious that required rewiring

racing geek

iTrader: (5)

Whenever I try and turn my key backwards (towards me), it never seems to want to go that direction. I always have to finagle it until I move it in just the right way for it to work. Could it be that me ignition barrel needs to be replaced? When I turn my key forward everything works just fine.

HCR13

iTrader: (5)

Mine does that too. Its not hard, but not "easy/smooth" as newer cars. Another "trick" I noticed is that if you have key in that position, or the "on" position aswell, the courtesy chime goes off when the door is opened. If you try to pull the key out, it'll pull it out a centimeter or 2 enough to quiet the chime but leave the doors open. Comes in handy when I'm doing interior work and want the radio on, but not the chime...

lasher_350

I've always worked it under the assumption that you have to push IN on the key as your are turning the switch back to you to get to the accessory position. Once it gets worn out, though, I don't think that's necessary.

skiroulertx447

wow I'm surprised some of you didn't know about that. Both my cars have this and all my parents cars too.

lasher_350

Yeah, in the 70's in GM vehicles, there was a little lever right below the ignition switch that you had to push down to get the key to turn back. I just remembered that from an old '80 El Camino I used to have...