Radio wiring

ozturbo · Post by **ozturbo** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:45 pm

I have just fitted a new radio in my turbo and it is working well except that there doesn't appear to be a permanent 12v wire in there, so it loses its memory when I turn it off. I don't know if the factory radio I removed had one connected. The car is a December 1990 model. What colour would this wire be if it exists? Alternatively, where would be the best place to run one from?
Another problem I have is with the rear speaker wires. My car didn't have rear speakers, but I brought back the ones that fit in the bins beside the rear seats that my turbo in Italy had fitted because I know they are hard to come by. I found the wires in the dash that were for rear speakers and assumed that the other ends would be under the bins, ready to plug in to speakers should you want to fit them, but they're not there. I looked under the sill trim, but still no speaker wires. So what did Volvo do with them? Are they bundled up under the dash somewhere, and if so how can I find them? Maybe I will just have to run new ones.

Bakke · Post by **Bakke** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:57 pm

Easy answer... If your car isn't equiped with the wires, don't bother and put them in yourself....

Jamo · Post by **Jamo** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 7:24 am

I disagree with your original diagnosis ozturbo.

More like you've got the 12v ignition and 12v live mixed up on the radio wiring.

I.E you got the 12v live connected too the radio 12v ignition and vice versa

So when you turn on the ignition the radio comes on but loses it memory when you turn it off as the radio loses all power.

Commonly done on european cars.

ozturbo · Post by **ozturbo** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 11:50 am

You were right Jamo. I bought myself one of those circuit testers today and sorted out which wire was which. It works fine now. I also ran some wires through for the rear speakers and connected them up.