I hope someone can give me some tips for this problem. I just finished installing a factory radio from an 85 Iroc into my 82 Z-28. The wire harnesses are exactly the same. I was using an aftermarket radio for several years and wanted to go back to a stock radio. I hooked it all up and it works really good except that if I shut the ignition off and turn the key to the starting position, the time and the presets are wiped out. If I reset the everything while the key is in the start position and the radio on and shut the key off and turn the key back to accessory, everything stays. But if I turn the key back to the start position I lose everything. Anyone got any ideas what might be causing this? I have never experienced anything like this. Radio works great except for this problem.

 

That IS strange... I was about to jump in and say the constant +12v wire isn't hooked up, but it must be if you can switch to ACC and still keep your presets. I can't really help much; the only thing I can think of is MAYBE it's an issue with the ignition lock cylinder or something on the steering column. A momentary grounding of the +12v constant, perhaps, but not enough to blow a fuse.

 

Thanks caysE that's a good place to start, since this morning I tried a new power wire and source right out of the fuse block. In doing so, I got the same thing happening, albeit, the accessory side of the ignition did not work at all this time. I put the new power wire in an ignition slot of the fuse block and couldn't get the accessory side of the switch to work. I put the factory hook up back together and I'm back to square one although now it will lose the presets with the key turned in either spot. You may be right with your idea. Maybe I should put a new ignition switch in it and try that. I'll let you know..Thanks

 

do you have the constant 12v+ wire and the switched 12v+ wire mixed up ?>

 

I'm feeling pretty stupid right about now, since it was the constant 12volt power source that I forgot to hook up. My neighbor came over and brought it to my attention that I didn't have it hooked up. Duhhhhhh!!!! Oh well, it's not my first mistake and I know it won't be the last. Thanks..

 

So how did it keep its presets in ACC???

 

It didn't, I just didn't leave the key in the off position long enough for it to lose its memory. Like I said, it was just a stupid oversight on my part. As the ole saying goes,"sometimes you can't see the forest thru the trees". That was me, I was determined that it was something else and overlooked the obvious. Thanks for the help though, my ignition switch was pretty bad anyway, so I changed it out. Now that works better.

 

Cool.