Wiring radio, Constant power lead?

[Rc 415]

I'm trying to install an Alpine deck into my 83 c10.

The only wires that are behind my dash for the radio are the gray, black, and yellow. Right now i have the battery lead and constant lead from the radio both connected to the yellow wire in the dash, and the ground connected to the ground. I do not have the gray wire connected. The problem is, I cant save presets and the time, because every time I turn the truck off they get reset due to the constant wire not being connected right. What am I supposed to have the constant wire connected to?

[boxrodz]

Sounds like you have the radio's constant lead connected to the truck's switched (ignition) power, the yellow wire off of the accessories. It should be connected to a constant power source. The gray wire from the interior lights should provide a constant power source for the radio's memory.

Edit: The gray wire is a switched power source from the headlight switch.

[Rc 415]

is there a fuse for that gray lead? because I tried it like you say, yellow to yellow, red to gray, black to black, and I got nothing, no power.

[cochino12]

run the yellow from your new radio to a 12v + constant in the fuse box

[boxrodz]

Yes, I believe that interior lights should have a fuse. Follow the interior lights circuit in the schematic. If you have a volt meter, you could check the leads from the truck to verify the power sources and ground. (I don't have my shop manual at the moment.)

[Rc 415]

I wish I had the schematic, of a volt meter even, lol.

[Srubydo1986]

what i did in my truck was run a constant from the fuse box use yellow for power and blck for ground. Grey will be left empty cause i believe the had on the stock harness yellow=power, black=neg., and grey=ground ( i think)

[mySAVIOReigns]

I used the wires out of my cigarette lighter - I'm not a smoker, and I don't even think it worked...but I used those wires to wire it in. It had the ground, the red, and the yellow.

[Rc 415]

Originally Posted by mySAVIOReigns

I used the wires out of my cigarette lighter - I'm not a smoker, and I don't even think it worked...but I used those wires to wire it in. It had the ground, the red, and the yellow.

Awsome thats a great idea, thanks!

[Rc 415]

Originally Posted by Srubydo1986

what i did in my truck was run a constant from the fuse box use yellow for power and blck for ground. Grey will be left empty cause i believe the had on the stock harness yellow=power, black=neg., and grey=ground ( i think)

Actually the gray is for the lights that were inside the original radio, but you are right its left empty.

[N2TRUX]

If you can't afford a VOM then buy a cheap test light. If you have a soldering iron you can make your own with any 12v bulb and an old jumper wire. It will save you a ton of time knowing when a contact point is hot.

[boxrodz]

Originally Posted by Rc 415

Actually the gray is for the lights that were inside the original radio, but you are right its left empty.

I checked the wiring schematic and, as you found out, the gray wire is switched power from the headlight switch. Only constant if you keep the lights on.

As Cochino suggested, you can tap into the Batt lead on the fuse box, or just tap into one of the orange wires (lighter, horn, dome light, clock, etc) like some of the others suggested.

BTW, you can find a cheap VOM for ~ 10 bucks.

[Rc 415]

I just tried the cig lighter connected to my constant lead, but the radio still gets reset every time i turn it off and on???

[Mickey_D]

Then swap the yellow and red wires.

[Rc 415]

Lol yup I realised that about an hour ago!