'73 Wire Harness Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
'73 Wire Harness Question
The yellow wire, from the main harness in the radio area, looks like it is powered only when Ignition comes on, if I read the '73 Wire Diagram correctly. Can someone confirm that for me? The larger gauge Black wire appears to be ground, and a snipped Gray wire in the same area of the Black makes me believe that it's the Radio Backlighting lead.
The P.O. ran a wire (unfused) directly from the HOT side of the fuse block to the radio area, and I have to change that. But did this year model ever have a constantly HOT lead for the radio? I'm believing not, or atleast I can't fine one on the schematic. Perhaps the new wire was the P.O. effort to get power to his modern radio, which nowadays have a color coded Yellow wire for a battery direct, constatly powered source (radio's clock and tuning station preset memory).
All this just to confirm the harness's Yellow wire power source.
Thanks in advance.
Steve
The P.O. ran a wire (unfused) directly from the HOT side of the fuse block to the radio area, and I have to change that. But did this year model ever have a constantly HOT lead for the radio? I'm believing not, or atleast I can't fine one on the schematic. Perhaps the new wire was the P.O. effort to get power to his modern radio, which nowadays have a color coded Yellow wire for a battery direct, constatly powered source (radio's clock and tuning station preset memory).
All this just to confirm the harness's Yellow wire power source.
Thanks in advance.
Steve
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
The yellow wire, from the main harness in the radio area, looks like it is powered only when Ignition comes on, if I read the '73 Wire Diagram correctly. Can someone confirm that for me? Connect a multimeter positive lead to the yellow wire....connect the negative lead to a good ground location...turn the key ON---if the meter reads 12V--- it's a Hot-with-Key-on wireThe larger gauge Black wire appears to be ground Connect the multimeter to the black wire and to a good ground---set the meter to ohms---if the needle pegs out---it's a ground wire, and a snipped Gray wire in the same area of the Black makes me believe that it's the Radio Backlighting lead Set the meter to read DC volts...connect the positive lead to the grey wire & connect the negative lead to a good ground...turn the headlights on and operate the dash-light dimmer switch---if the meter voltage varies greatly----it's a backlight wire.
The P.O. ran a wire (unfused) directly from the HOT side of the fuse block to the radio area, and I have to change that. But did this year model ever have a constantly HOT lead for the radio? I'm believing not, Me, too or atleast I can't fine one on the schematic. Perhaps the new wire was the P.O. effort to get power to his modern radio, which nowadays have a color coded Yellow wire for a battery direct, constatly powered source (radio's clock and tuning station preset memory).
All this just to confirm the harness's Yellow wire power source.
Thanks in advance.
Steve
The P.O. ran a wire (unfused) directly from the HOT side of the fuse block to the radio area, and I have to change that. But did this year model ever have a constantly HOT lead for the radio? I'm believing not, Me, too or atleast I can't fine one on the schematic. Perhaps the new wire was the P.O. effort to get power to his modern radio, which nowadays have a color coded Yellow wire for a battery direct, constatly powered source (radio's clock and tuning station preset memory).
All this just to confirm the harness's Yellow wire power source.
Thanks in advance.
Steve
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Thanks Doorgunner.
I would have done as you suggested with the Yellow wire, if I had a battery installed. I should have mentioned that, as the car came without one. Guess it's time now to pick one up. I just wanted to get as much info on this before I applied power to the car, as I've smoke-checked too many things in my Naval & home career. Thanks again.
Steve
I would have done as you suggested with the Yellow wire, if I had a battery installed. I should have mentioned that, as the car came without one. Guess it's time now to pick one up. I just wanted to get as much info on this before I applied power to the car, as I've smoke-checked too many things in my Naval & home career. Thanks again.
Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The standard radio connection was yellow for power, black for ground, and gray for illumination.
I don't think the radio is hot all the time. Mine (68) plays only with the ignition on or accessory.
I don't think the radio is hot all the time. Mine (68) plays only with the ignition on or accessory.
Burning Brakes
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From: Lewes Delaware
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
I am now an "expert" on the '73 Harness Wiring in the console area.
BTW, the car is missing Courtesy Light bulb sockets (under the dash on both driver & pax sides). All I found were the snipped Orange & White wires near their respective brackets. Anyone have a picture of what these sockets look like?
Thanks in advance.
Steve
BTW, the car is missing Courtesy Light bulb sockets (under the dash on both driver & pax sides). All I found were the snipped Orange & White wires near their respective brackets. Anyone have a picture of what these sockets look like?
Thanks in advance.
Steve
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Courtesy light socket wiring
Fran,
Thanks for the picture!
Looks like it's got "fingers" on it, in order to mount in the hole. Metal too.
The PO just took a pair of dikes & cut the wires to both front lights. I can't find them in the parts stash that came with the car either. Why he did this; who knows?
Thanks again Fran.
Steve
Thanks for the picture!
Looks like it's got "fingers" on it, in order to mount in the hole. Metal too.
The PO just took a pair of dikes & cut the wires to both front lights. I can't find them in the parts stash that came with the car either. Why he did this; who knows?
Thanks again Fran.
Steve