How do I hardwire my car stereo so that it runs in accessory mode?

Question

OK, I have a 76 Ford Ltd, and I installed a CDE-9846 along with my component speakers and my subs and amp. Everything works fine, except that my head unit will not respond in accessory mode, and it clears my station preset and memory everytime i turn off the car. Please Help

Answer 1

It sounds like either the constant and accessory power wires are reversed, or both are connected to a key-switched wire. The yellow wire from the head unit needs to be connected to constant power. There probably was no constant power connection in the factory harness, so the easiest thing to do might be to tap it into the cigarette lighter harness; that should be a constant power connection.

If the deck won't come on in the "accessory" key position, then most likely the red wire is connected to an ignition wire from the key switch (or possibly the key switch itself has a problem). Your vehicle's fuse box may have an accessory-switched terminal that you can connect the red wire to; otherwise you might test the wiring at the key switch until you find the accessory output, and tap that wire. Be sure to fuse the new wire.

Answer 2

Pretty loud. I open the sunroof for optimum effect. That Bose sound system they put in the Infinity FX is really awesome! When I get to be 60, I'm gonna blast the rock and roll so people will think I'm deaf. I probably will be by then! let's see, 16 years to go!