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Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:54 pm

Leaning toward the last part, because even though I know my way around electrical items, I can't figure out how a problem could be created when there SHOULD be none.

My radio was in my Bus for a while, and it worked perfectly. I put it in my Bug, and it doesn't get accessory voltage. It works fine when the car's key is turn to on or when it's running, but it doesn't save time, saved stations, ... etc.

The radio works in my Bus. Just yanked it out and put it back in. Saves stations and times fine.

I'm using the fuse that gets 12v all the time (somewhere in the middleish, IIRC ... but I am sure it gets 12v all the time. Tested it with my multimeter). Both ends of the wire, from the spade connector to the fuse box to the wire to my radio are getting 12v when the car is off and the key is on the off position.

Doesn't make sense why it's not working - though, my interior light only works when I have it set to it being on with the door - there is no "always on" and when I have it at that "setting", it stays off all the time. Off works, though.

Could I run a wire from my battery to my radio to see if that works and saves my stations? I assume do that, and completely get rid of the chance it's my radio (even though, like I said, it works in my Bus).

Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:07 pm

DonnieDarko wrote: Could I run a wire from my battery to my radio to see if that works and saves my stations?

Yes. Or tap it into the always-live terminal at the light switch, or an always-live terminal on the fuse box.

Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:15 pm

Cusser wrote: DonnieDarko wrote: Could I run a wire from my battery to my radio to see if that works and saves my stations?

Yes. Or tap it into the always-live terminal at the light switch, or an always-live terminal on the fuse box.

That's my problem - I'm using an always live terminal on the fusebox and it doesn't do it - though, move the radio to another vehicle (my Bus), hook it up to an always live terminal, and it works.

My multimeter is reading 12.xx volts from the terminal with the key off in my Bug - but it still doesn't work. Hence the confusion.

But I guess I go buy some wire tomorrow and try to hook my radio up directly to the battery, and see if it works.

Thanks man.

Fri Nov 06, 2009 6:21 am

I know it sounds silly, but try a test lamp instead of a meter. If the 12 v light bulb lights up, you're good. If not, look for another constant 12 v. The meter on the voltage scale will tell you if you have voltage, the lamp will tell you if you have voltage and current.

Fri Nov 06, 2009 7:19 am

Are you POSITIVE that the wire going into the back of your radio is terminating on an always hot fuse? With PO's doing wire hack jobs, sometimes you gotta physically trace the wire from end to end to validate it. My guess is that is what the problem is.

Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:56 am

How's the ground?

Kyle