Radio wiring help

[Montecarlo79]

Orange 12v constant missing to radio, can I just take accessory power from fuse panel cut the grey wire and splice in new one going straight to accessory power

 

[79 USA 1]

The grey wire in your photo is for the radio illumination. Pictures below show which wire went where on a factory 79 install.
12 volt + (Key on) is Yellow
Ground - Black
Lamp Gray

If you are looking for a 12 volt + constant on (For memory on an aftermarket system you will have to run a wire to the fuse block and attach at a BATT (12 Volt non switched) opening in the block.

 

[Montecarlo79]

The grey wire in your photo is for the radio illumination. Pictures below show which wire went where on a factory 79 install.
12 volt + (Key on) is Yellow
Ground - Black
Lamp Gray
View attachment 254876View attachment 254875
If you are looking for a 12 volt + constant on (For memory on an aftermarket system you will have to run a wire to the fuse block and attach at a BATT (12 Volt non switched) opening in the block.

Thank you for the clarification I thought that would be the case, adding on I’m trying to wire up my triple gauge pod lights/ volt gauge and there’s 4 spots on the fuse panel that I could plug into and when I turned the key it worked for a second and I went back to that with a tester light and no power with key on, did I break something?

 

[Montecarlo79]

Thank you for the clarification I thought that would be the case, adding on I’m trying to wire up my triple gauge pod lights/ volt gauge and there’s 4 spots on the fuse panel that I could plug into and when I turned the key it worked for a second and I went back to that with a tester light and no power with key on, did I break something? In the photo I circled where I got my key power

 

[79 USA 1]

Thank you for the clarification I thought that would be the case, adding on I’m trying to wire up my triple gauge pod lights/ volt gauge and there’s 4 spots on the fuse panel that I could plug into and when I turned the key it worked for a second and I went back to that with a tester light and no power with key on, did I break something?

Start checking fuses. 20 amp gauges and the 15 amp radio. If they are good there is a chance you went to ground and burned the fusible link at the starter. If you have no power to the dash or are unable to start the car it is a good chance one or both fusible links are blown.

 

[Montecarlo79]

Start checking fuses. 20 amp gauges and the 15 amp radio. If they are good there is a chance you went to ground and burned the fusible link at the starter. If you have no power to the dash or are unable to start the car it is a good chance one or both fusible links are blown.

I’m able to start the car

 

[Montecarlo79]

I’m able to start the car

Found the issue thanks, why are my fuses burning up every time I put my gauge wiring in though?

 

[79 USA 1]

Found the issue thanks, why are my fuses burning up every time I put my gauge wiring in though?

Was just going to suggest checking fuses. You beat me to it.
Retrace the wires in your gauge set up. you may have a power lead wired to ground or a wire connector that is grounded at the attachment point. Possibility of a bad gauge also, I have seen new offshore gauges that were defective.

 

[Montecarlo79]

Was just going to suggest checking fuses. You beat me to it.
Retrace the wires in your gauge set up. you may have a power lead wired to ground or a wire connector that is grounded at the attachment point. Possibility of a bad gauge also, I have seen new offshore gauges that were defective.

 

[Montecarlo79]

This is how I have it set up, the wire I’m holding in the picture it what I’m plugging into my fuse panel