Radio Install - Ignition/ACC Wire Connection

[bostonbronconut]

I am installing a RetroSound stereo with the Quadraphonic Amp. I've got power to the amp but it is not powering the stereo. I am wondering if I haven't connected the stereo to the Ignition/ACC correctly as described in the instructions (see attached photo).

I've connected the radio harness to a red wire that was originally behind the PO's radio (see photo) but I've also found a similar wire I could potentially use. Before I start cutting/stripping more wires, I want to make sure I am connecting to the correct wires.

Any thoughts?

 

[durwood71]

Have you connected the yellow wire to a always hot 12v? Good grounds?

 

[bostonbronconut]

The grounds should be good and I have the yellow wire directly on the battery per the instructions above. I have two grounds on the system:
1) Directly from the amp to the chassis
2) Black wire from the harness to the back of the dash

 

[DirtDonk]

You can always connect the switched wire to the center stud on the ignition switch, just visible in that picture.
There is a Black w/green wire there now, and on a '77 there may be more than one.

What's the color wire on that "other wire" if you can tell?
I recognize the plug, but would rather go by the color.

And on the current one, have you at least verified that it's getting 12v with the key in both ON and ACC? If it's got power with the key, then it's not the wire that's the issue, but something with the radio perhaps.

Speaking of grounds though, make sure you have a good ground from the battery to the body, and from the engine to the body (at the firewall).
And with all that fresh paint I don't trust the dash to be well grounded. It might be just fine, but paint and rust have the same properties when it comes to playing nice with electrical stuff.
I've had to add ground jumpers to the dash on Broncos more than once in order to get things to work properly.

Paul

 

[Steve83]

The grounds should be good...

Well, everything SHOULD be good, but there are frequently many things NOT good on an antique vehicle that has been modified. We need to see what you're talking about to help.

...I have the yellow wire directly on the battery...

I hope that's just temporary. It should go through a fuse to either the B+ terminal on the ig.sw. (if it will draw <5A total peak) or the B+ terminal on the starter relay near the battery. This shows several ways to connect several accessories:

(phone app link)

...from the amp to the chassis

From where on the amp to where on what chassis? Post pics.

Black wire from the harness to the back of the dash

Which black wire? At this age, many wires may look black. Post pics.