no constant power to new radio where did i screw up??
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: enfield, ct
Car: 1984 z28--1987 LT
Engine: 305HO
Transmission: turbo350
no constant power to new radio where did i screw up??
hey fellas
i just put in a jvc head unit in my 87. everything works fine except i have no constant power to the radio so when i shut the car off i lose all me pre-sets and clock time any ideas? i appreciate any help thanks
i just put in a jvc head unit in my 87. everything works fine except i have no constant power to the radio so when i shut the car off i lose all me pre-sets and clock time any ideas? i appreciate any help thanks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 525
Likes: 6
From: Plymouth Twp. PA
Car: 92RS
Engine: LQ4
Transmission: 4L80E
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: no constant power to new radio where did i screw up??
There should be an in-line fuse on the 12v(+) constant wire, check to see if it is blown. If not, follow the wire until you have found the issue.
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: COTTONWOOD FALLS, KS
Car: 2003 SILVERADO /86 IROC/85 S10
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Re: no constant power to new radio where did i screw up??
Take a volt meter and check the wires you hooked up. Did you use the cars harness? You can also just run the power wire from the radio to a spot that is marked "batt" on the fuse box.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: enfield, ct
Car: 1984 z28--1987 LT
Engine: 305HO
Transmission: turbo350
Re: no constant power to new radio where did i screw up??
the constant power wire is on a white connector not attached to the harness . there's only the yellow wire, and no other. right now the yellow wire is spliced together with the red wire.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: COTTONWOOD FALLS, KS
Car: 2003 SILVERADO /86 IROC/85 S10
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Re: no constant power to new radio where did i screw up??
I think you should separate the two wires and use the yellow one(I think) to power your memory for the clock and presets.
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 525
Likes: 6
From: Plymouth Twp. PA
Car: 92RS
Engine: LQ4
Transmission: 4L80E
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: no constant power to new radio where did i screw up??
Thats your problem. The yellow is ignition 12v(+), meaning it will only give power when the key is in the ON position. If you want your presets saved, run a 12v(+) constant to the necessary wire on the radio. Sounds like your missing part of your wiring adapter kit.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: enfield, ct
Car: 1984 z28--1987 LT
Engine: 305HO
Transmission: turbo350
Re: no constant power to new radio where did i screw up??
do you mean the red wire is 12v ignition? there was a yellow wire connection seperate from the harness in the install kit , it fits a connection thats was connected to the stock radio, that connection off the cars wiring harness has a orange and brown wire.
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 525
Likes: 6
From: Plymouth Twp. PA
Car: 92RS
Engine: LQ4
Transmission: 4L80E
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: no constant power to new radio where did i screw up??
You have yellow and red coming off of your radio. One is 12v (+) ignition one is 12v (+) hot. Which one is yellow and which one is red is up to you to find out. They both need SEPARATE power sources.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 447
Likes: 1
From: Warren MI
Car: 1992 Camaro RS
Engine: 350 Carb'd
Transmission: 5 Speed
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: no constant power to new radio where did i screw up??
If your looking for a constant wire to save your presets and the one that is meant to be used isnt hot instead of running a whole new wire to the battery just tap into the constant wire in the cig lighter. Works just the same!
Supreme Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 5
From: Modesto, California
Car: 88 Firebird Formula
Engine: LO5 5.7 TBI/Ebl Flash
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 stock rear end
Re: no constant power to new radio where did i screw up??


only one prong gets power, the prong that is being used. Described exactly the same way above. Im also having trouble with power on a new radio, but it does not power on at all.
EDIT: PROBLEM SOLVED!!!! that pink wire in original harness was not constant power, it was antenna power. Found my constant power wire, some how it was bad. Fixed by grabbing power at that weird orange&black plug in location. I just took off that wire nut that was connecting wires for nothing and spliced in there. Worked like a charm!!
Last edited by Ghettobird52; Apr 12, 2014 at 04:28 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Car: 85 IROC-Z28
Engine: 305 but want ls
Transmission: 700R
Re: no constant power to new radio where did i screw up??
Same problem here!!! Used meter tester and yellow is my 12+(red) but can't find constant power right now so just ran both but it's annoying. How do you tap fuse box for constant power? HELP
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 270
Likes: 3
From: Downingtown, PA
Car: 84 Trans Am
Engine: 350
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: no constant power to new radio where did i screw up??
Does anyone know what the hell this thing is? My car has the exact same thing.......


only one prong gets power, the prong that is being used. Described exactly the same way above. Im also having trouble with power on a new radio, but it does not power on at all.
EDIT: PROBLEM SOLVED!!!! that pink wire in original harness was not constant power, it was antenna power. Found my constant power wire, some how it was bad. Fixed by grabbing power at that weird orange&black plug in location. I just took off that wire nut that was connecting wires for nothing and spliced in there. Worked like a charm!!


only one prong gets power, the prong that is being used. Described exactly the same way above. Im also having trouble with power on a new radio, but it does not power on at all.
EDIT: PROBLEM SOLVED!!!! that pink wire in original harness was not constant power, it was antenna power. Found my constant power wire, some how it was bad. Fixed by grabbing power at that weird orange&black plug in location. I just took off that wire nut that was connecting wires for nothing and spliced in there. Worked like a charm!!
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