Radio constant 12V

[aipri]

So I replaced my stock ASI radio with an aftermarket deck and it isn't getting a constant 12V as it resets every time I turn the car off. I did a search and found people discussing a purple wire for constant, however I used the diagram on top of my factory radio which said that Red is constant, which is usually the case in most cars. Although obviously that isn't working, so do I disconnect from the Red wire and look for this Purple one?

[David T]

So I replaced my stock ASI radio with an aftermarket deck and it isn't getting a constant 12V as it resets every time I turn the car off. I did a search and found people discussing a purple wire for constant, however I used the diagram on top of my factory radio which said that Red is constant, which is usually the case in most cars. Although obviously that isn't working, so do I disconnect from the Red wire and look for this Purple one?

The CAR wiring has PURPLE as a constant power source, the wires going into the RADIO use RED as the constant power. In the case of the ASI radio you hook the purple wire in the car to the red wire of the radio. Be sure to use a fuse.

[Alan]

I'm not sure about the ASI unit but modern aftermarket decks use red and yellow wires for power. The red is switched and the yellow is constant.

[1batt4u]

I'm not sure about the ASI unit but modern aftermarket decks use red and yellow wires for power. The red is switched and the yellow is constant.

+1

Yellow is constant, Red is when cranked on.

[Jonathan]

26021

Anthony, you might also find this attachment useful. I don't take credit for creating it, I just happened to have it saved on my computer.

As David mentioned, you're looking for purple. That wire will keep your radio stations and settings after the ignition is shut off. That purple wire is probably fused at the main fuse block area and your replacement deck may also have a micro fuse in the back of it (mine did and I went with an Alpine deck). You can generally get rid of the factory glass inline fuses once you've confirmed they are redundant and the other fuses installed are adequate.

EDIT: keep in mind whether you are thinking in terms of what wires are from the car and what wires are unique to the back of your stereo. This is where the "connector" in the middle would normally make sense of it, but often we have to figure that out ourselves with these cars. Understand what the explanation or purpose of each of the wires coming from the car is, and then do the same in understanding what the purpose of each wire on the back of your deck is. Once you know that, make the appropriate connections. The wire colours from the car side we all share, but those colours on the back of the deck are unique to the particular make and model of stereo you chose.

[aipri]

Thanks guys, I installed the radio months ago so I am sure once I take it back out I can easily make sense of it. Everything works fine except for the memory so I must have just jumped the constant to the wrong wire.

[aipri]

+1

Yellow is constant, Red is when cranked on.

Yeah you're right, doing all of this wiring has scrambled my brain.