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Topic: Radio works with headlights on

in Forum: C3 Electrical

Radio works with headlights on

Posted: 8/29/13 4:49pm Message 1 of 5
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Canada
Joined: 9/22/2012
Posts: 28
Vette(s): 1975 Corvette Stingray L-48 4 Speed 54,000 miles
Maybe someone could help me figure this out. My radio won't work until I turn my headlights on and when I shut them off the radio keeps no memory. I first thought about the fuse and bought one and before I put it in, I turned on the headlights and the radio came on. Some how it gets power from the headlights. I seen a wire and I plugged into the ign. and then the bat. on the fuse panel and no change. Now I have a second question about the loose single wire that can only be inserted in either the Ign or the battery slot because I don't have air conditioning. Your thoughts would help, THANKS ZAPPAREX


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Re: Radio works with headlights on

Posted: 8/29/13 5:11pm Message 2 of 5
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Grapevine, TX - USA
Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1522
Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport convertible.
Sounds like someone retrofitted your car with a 50's era vacuum tube radio.  Get it?  Vacuum?

Actually, it sounds like Bubba rewired the power wire to something non-stock.



   

Re: Radio works with headlights on

Posted: 8/29/13 7:41pm Message 3 of 5
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Woodland, WA - USA
Joined: 10/14/2003
Posts: 1171
Vette(s): 1977 T-Top,350,Auto Black Ruby Pearl,Steeroids R&P conversion
can you give a little more info
what color is the wire you refer to?
if possible take a picture
the radio power wire should be yellow the light wire will be gray





|UPDATED|8/29/2013 7:41:40 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|



Re: Radio works with headlights on

Posted: 8/29/13 7:39pm Message 4 of 5
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Ya....sounds like someone has re-wired it, and now has the radio power coming from the radio light wire. The light in the radio is controlled by the headlight switch....the light only works when the head/park lights are on.


Joel Adams
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Re: Radio works with headlights on

Posted: 8/29/13 10:00pm Message 5 of 5
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Former Member
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Canada
Joined: 9/22/2012
Posts: 28
Vette(s): 1975 Corvette Stingray L-48 4 Speed 54,000 miles
I had a problem with my clutch pedal, the cotter pin that keeps  the bracket through the firewall connected to the pedal broke and the weld that keeps the steel peg in place that the cotter pin goes through came disconnected. I stuffed some paper in between the brake pedal and clutch pedal to hold the steel peg in place ,so I could get the bracket back on the steel peg and put another cotter pin in. This is not an easy task, because it is way up behind the dash. After I took out the paper my radio did not work, maybe I moved something with the paper. I am still putting the last of my dash back together because I had done the body mounts and had to remove and disconnect different parts to lift the car. The wire that I have mentioned can only have come from one of the three spots on the fuse panel because every other spot takes a fuse. The radio bracket still needs to be bolted to the floor, maybe that will give it a ground. The radio was working before the clutch problem. THANKS ZAPPAREX


in Forum: C3 Electrical


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