87 BII red 12volt wire on back of radio

[shadetreebronco]

Ok , I changed out the "Premium Sound"original radio on my 87 BII a few weeks ago , when i removed the factory radio there was a heavier ga. red wire attached to a stud dead center on the back metal part of the radio.

I tested this to the dash that the radio was bolted to and got 12 volts .

I installed the stereo without connecting this wire and all works.

So it was a wire with 12 volts connected to a grounded dash ?
I capped it off and left it as is.
Should it be connected to ground ?
Am I missing something ?

 

[RonD]

If it had 12v key on or key off it was probably for the clock and favorites memory.

i.e. when you disconnect battery in a vehicle you have to reset the clock and reprogram the radio station.
So radio has power 24/7

 

[Haywire6000]

If it had 12v key on or key off it was probably for the clock and favorites memory.

i.e. when you disconnect battery in a vehicle you have to reset the clock and reprogram the radio station.
So radio has power 24/7

Also know as the " Keep Alive" Never that heavy gauge though.

 

[shadetreebronco]

If it had 12v key on or key off it was probably for the clock and favorites memory.

i.e. when you disconnect battery in a vehicle you have to reset the clock and reprogram the radio station.
So radio has power 24/7

I'm pretty sure that it was ignition hot
both Ign. hot and battery hot are wired to the radio through the original harness , if i remember correctly the interior dimmer wiring is also in the original harness , I had to move that wire on the plug and play harness for the new stereo.
I never noticed if the new radio dims with the dash lights.