Radio doesn't work in Accessory mode...?


TuxRanger

TuxRanger

15+ Year Member

Joined
Dec 29, 2007
Messages
31
Points
3,101
City
Hemet, CA
Vehicle Year
1993
1991
Transmission
Manual
Ok so I got a new/old ranger lol it is a 91 ext. cab 4x4 I was installing a radio cause it didn't come with one and I am really electrically inclined, but I am having a hard time finding out why my radio works when my truck is in pre-ignition or running but not when I turn the key backwards for accessory?...
kinda odd the only thing I can think of is the keyswitch, any recommendations.. Has anyone heard of this before...?? :huh: Tested all the wires and fuses the wire that powers it when it is in pre-ignition is the same one that powers it in acc.
 
do you have power to the wire when it is in acc. position
 
I know my 93 had a red wire that I believe gave the HU power in the acc. position.
 
Yeah I tested it and in acc it gives no power.. It is really weird.. and from some wiring diagrams i have seen that big red one is a ground, which in wiring makes no sense cause red is a hot color.
 
Do you have your all time power hooked up and switch power? Is the radio ground on a good spot?
 
michowski said:
Do you have your all time power hooked up and switch power? Is the radio ground on a good spot?
Click to expand...

If you mean by all time power the memory 12v lead, yes and that functions fine..Switch power supplies 12v when the truck is running and like half a volt in accessory, it is really weird, Great ground! Could it have something to do with the keyswitch??
 
id say you have a wiring problem between the swithc and the input to the radio
 
The accessory wire at the ignition switch is a Black/Light Green. Make sure it has power when you are in the accessory position. At the radio the wire should be a Yellow/Black.

Hope this helps.

(if you find something different, post it so I can update my database)
 
I am bringing this thread back to the top because I still have yet to figure it out? I took the whole casing off around the steering wheel so that I may look at the keyswitch and the wires that are under there. If anyone who has read this has this same problem Please let me know, I love my music and I work out of my truck alot and I need my music.:no2:
 
I know someone out there can help me, I found the black/lime green wire it is big like a 12awg wire, and i believe it goes to a little computer box... PLEASE HELP I NEED RECOMMENDATIONS TO MAKE MY MUSIC WORK AGAIN>
 
everything behind my radio is fine, I just need help finding where the power comes from when aux mode, i turn my key towards me and nothing turns on...
 
I know this thread is ancient, but I had this problem for months. Turns out it was just me being ignorant about Ford truck key positions. The accessory position is counterclockwise from the lock position.

Previously I drove an Escort and ACC was where OFF is in this diagram (aren't most vehicles like this?)

On this topic, why is there both an OFF and a LOCK? This seems incredibly redundant. And why is there that stupid lever I have to push in order to turn the key to the LOCK position?
 

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Would you want to have your steering column lock while you were still driving and needing to steer?
 
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