Head unit running off head lights?

[billyjim]

Hey i put in a sony head unit the other week and the only way i can get power running through it is by having my headlights on. All my speaker set up works perfect and all other wiring is good, but i can not work out which wires i need to change around. i have changed a few around a couple times and still end up only having power through the headligst. If anyone knows where i might have gone wrong it would be alot of help. Thanks

[The1]

so your not using the factory wires? or did you buy the car already with the standard head unit already changed?

There should be 2x 12v wires, one that is active all the time and one that's active once you turn the key to on postion.

[billyjim]

im using the factory wires i think? what is the colour of the one active once the car is switched on?

[moff_man]

vs stereo wiring colours.... need help!

try the above thread.

or

VK-VZ Stereo wiring colours.

[billyjim]

yeh i have looked at the vs wiring one before and i have my constant power from my head unit going to my orange/violot wire, i have also tried it going to the accessories wire and still have same issue. If this is completely wrong it's possible as i know very little bout it, but am stumped coz i have all my other wires correct and dont get why i cant figure this one out. Any suggestions? or anyone else have a sony head deck that could help me out?

[moff_man]

when the headlights are turned off does it loose all memory or is it like the ignition is turnd off

[sleepa]

If you can, get your hands on a multimeter, or even a test light will suffice. Then stick the negative end on a good ground and probe the wires one at a time with the positive probe. In conjunction with trying different switch positions and headlight switch positions you should be able to find the wire you need.

[billyjim]

moff man it is just as if the ignition has been turned off, still has all presets clock settings etc, etc.
sleepa i will try that if thats what it comes to it haha, was jus hoping someone could pick up where i screwed up the wiring.

[PRAVX II S]

moff man it is just as if the ignition has been turned off, still has all presets clock settings etc, etc.
sleepa i will try that if thats what it comes to it haha, was jus hoping someone could pick up where i screwed up the wiring.

When you wire up a deck you always use a test light or multimeter to confirm the voltage and power is present.
You dont know what the previous owner has done to the car or wiring. So always use a test light.

[moff_man]

probly wont help now but i like to use the aeropro etc aftermarket plugs, plug it in and sloder the other end's to the sterio.

but as PRAVX II S said test light with ignition on and off to find the correct one.

[charvel]

It sounds like you have wired up the head unit using the car's Illumination (Brown/White) wire rather than the car's Accessories (Yellow) wire. If it still retains its memory, then you have the Constant Power one correct.

Hope that helps!

[itchy123]

It sounds like you have wired up the head unit using the car's Illumination (Brown/White) wire rather than the car's Accessories (Yellow) wire. If it still retains its memory, then you have the Constant Power one correct.

Hope that helps!

+1
definitely sounds like the problem

[billyjim]

yeh thats fixed it. thanks heaps guys, dont have to drive wit my headlights on all the time now haha. cheers!