Digital radio not retaining memory
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Digital radio not retaining memory
Hello all, once again. I recently installed a new Retrosound radio Model-One and am having an issue. I did the wiring and whatnot using the manual that came with the radio as well as going by a description online of what wire did what in the stock radio. (which is what it had before.)
If you're not familiar, the radio instructions say that I must connect it's 12V+ Constant and the 12V Memory wire to the same wire in the car. The idea obviously being that it would retain its memory when the car was shut off.
Here's where the problem lies. Let's say, my car is turned on. I have me radio on, etc. I turn my car off and switch it to the setting to only use the electricity on, my radio, instead of staying turned on, will shut off and lose its memory. Has anyone else had this issue? By the way, I have a killswitch installed as well, if that matters. (Obviously, I'm not referring to the use of the killswitch, I know that would clear the radios memory.)
Hope that wasn't too cluttered! One user already suggested that I may have tapped a wire with electricity that wasn't the correct one but I'm 100% sure it's the correct one. Anyone know what may be happening? All suggestions are welcome.
If you're not familiar, the radio instructions say that I must connect it's 12V+ Constant and the 12V Memory wire to the same wire in the car. The idea obviously being that it would retain its memory when the car was shut off.
Here's where the problem lies. Let's say, my car is turned on. I have me radio on, etc. I turn my car off and switch it to the setting to only use the electricity on, my radio, instead of staying turned on, will shut off and lose its memory. Has anyone else had this issue? By the way, I have a killswitch installed as well, if that matters. (Obviously, I'm not referring to the use of the killswitch, I know that would clear the radios memory.)
Hope that wasn't too cluttered! One user already suggested that I may have tapped a wire with electricity that wasn't the correct one but I'm 100% sure it's the correct one. Anyone know what may be happening? All suggestions are welcome.
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Clearly, what's going on is that when I switch my car from "On" to just that setting, it completely disconnects from the battery.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
Two issues:
As mentioned, you do NOT have the "constant" radio wiring connected to a constant-ON wire in the car...or, your ignition switch is defective. A (red) power wire should always have power on it, as long as the battery is connected. To what color wire do you have the constant-ON radio wiring connected?
Second issue:
If you wish the digital clock (and other functions) to remain powered when you open the battery disconnect, then you must run a separate wire from the (+) lug on the battery directly [not to the disconnect switch] for those functions. There should also be some sort of in-line fuse in that wire, so that any electrical problem with the radio won't fry that line if something fails.
As mentioned, you do NOT have the "constant" radio wiring connected to a constant-ON wire in the car...or, your ignition switch is defective. A (red) power wire should always have power on it, as long as the battery is connected. To what color wire do you have the constant-ON radio wiring connected?
Second issue:
If you wish the digital clock (and other functions) to remain powered when you open the battery disconnect, then you must run a separate wire from the (+) lug on the battery directly [not to the disconnect switch] for those functions. There should also be some sort of in-line fuse in that wire, so that any electrical problem with the radio won't fry that line if something fails.
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This is the site I used to help guide me. http://www.modifiedlife.com/1979-che...iring-diagram/
I essentially mixed and matched all the wires except for the Constant and the Memory wire which were both plugged to the orange constant as the radios manual indicated.
EDIT: This is the radio and it's guide in case anyone wants a look at it. http://www.retrosoundusa.com/products/details/id/191
EDIT 2: The wiring diagram as well as the mention that "The Red and Yellow wire of this unit requires +12V is on page 8 of the manual.
I essentially mixed and matched all the wires except for the Constant and the Memory wire which were both plugged to the orange constant as the radios manual indicated.
EDIT: This is the radio and it's guide in case anyone wants a look at it. http://www.retrosoundusa.com/products/details/id/191
EDIT 2: The wiring diagram as well as the mention that "The Red and Yellow wire of this unit requires +12V is on page 8 of the manual.
Last edited by Jon76; Oct 5, 2012 at 12:02 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2007
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From: Cherry Hill N.J.
Constant is yellow........switched is orange......unless your ignition switch on column is defective.
I don't think BOTH go to yellow
I don't think BOTH go to yellow
Last edited by BHRIG; Oct 5, 2012 at 04:31 PM. Reason: correction
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I'll have to check out if there was in fact a yellow wire hanging around there. I have a '79, know if this will make a difference in coloring? Also my car brought a stock power antenna as well as the radio with walkie talkie. Know if this will affect anything in terms of wiring? All the wires we've used are all the ones that were plugged into the back of the antenna.
Last edited by Jon76; Oct 5, 2012 at 12:45 PM.
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From: mount holly NC
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Here's one way to do it...
Connect the YELLOW to constant 12 volts.
Connect the RED to the IGN terminal in the fuse box.
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From: mount holly NC
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You have a switched wire down there with the rest of them but I forget what color it is and I'm to lazy to look it up so yes you can tap directly from the ING terminal at the fuse box.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: North Easton Mass
EDIT: I didn't notice the descriptions of the terminals at the top of the pic. The BAT terminal is the one you want for the radio memory.
Rick B.
Last edited by 72LS1Vette; Oct 5, 2012 at 05:46 PM.