Can't find a constant 12V connection anywhere - solved

[moses]

So I'm putting in a radio, and for the life of me I can't find a 12V constant wire anywhere. The one for the cigarette light is no good apparently (not sure if it's a bad inline fuse or what). I tested every loom in the upper center console, no dice. Including the purple wires for the power antenna OE option.

I don't care if I have to run from the engine bay into the car, I just need a 12V non-switched (constant) source. Any good candidates other than directly to the battery?

76 CS1

[njoconnor]

A couple of things come to mind. First, track back along the cig lighter lead to the in line fuse holder. Check the positive side to make sure power is at least getting to the holder. If so, try a new fuse. If not, you may need to replace the entire lead (and, yeah, it's a PITA). Even if the positive side of the fuse holder is good, I'd recommend replacing the fuse holder and fuse with new. I'd also recommend running a "Y" from the fuse holder: one lead to the radio, one back to the lighter. I don't smoke, but when I have to disconnect the battery for maintenance, I can plug a 9 volt "setting saver" in the cig lighter, and keep the radio settings intact.

I recall there's a constant power lead to the hazards; that might be a possibility as well.

Running direct off the battery may not be such a bad idea. When I installed power receptacles in my 72, I ran 10 gauge with a 30 amp in line fuse back through the firewall, then to a small 6 circuit fuse block mounted in place of the seatbelt warning buzzer. Ran the receptacle wires from the fuse block; everything's been working fine for a year.

Hope this helps.

Neil

[klweimer]

Moses,
Do you have wiring diagrams? I believe at least a few of the fuses are hot all the time. I was looking for Brad Artigue's wiring diagrams, but apparently his website went south and he's rebuilding it currently. I found these on the old Mirafiori website.
https://www.mirafiori.com/faq/content/F ... iagram.htm
Perhaps that will help. I have an '82 with FI, so it's a bit different.
Kirk

[aj81spider]

There's constant 12 coming into the ignition switch. That is pretty close to the radio. You can tap into that, but use a fuse on the wire you install.

[moses]

There's constant 12 coming into the ignition switch. That is pretty close to the radio. You can tap into that, but use a fuse on the wire you install.

Brown wire on the ignition switch was a constant 12. And the radio came with an inline fuse, so it worked like a charm. Thanks for the tip.