Wiring from Scratch

Hey everyone, this is going to sound like a stupid question, but here goes.

I have just fixed up a 1985 Hyundai Pony.  If you people don't know what that is, it was only ever sold in Canada between 84 and 88 (emissions restrictions killed the model).  Now, the factory stereo that came with the Pony's has a COMMON ground *AND* no constant +12V (the stereos didn't need it).

Instead of wiring to the current harness, I want to wire from scratch.  I need to make sure that I have somethings correctly.

1)  Can I wire the constant 12V directly from the battery unfused?  If it's fused, where do I put the fuse?

2)  Can I wire the ignition wire to the fuse box, or should I use an ignition wire near the steering column, and if so, how do I find it?

3)  Can the illumination light be connected to the dimmer switch, or should I use another source of power?

That's all I can think of right now.  :)

Any help would be appreciated.

the pwer can be run to the battery nad i would fuse it to be safe . with in a fwe inches to the battery for the fuse holder.

you can tap the ign wire in to the fuse box especially if you don know how to do it under the dash.

also the illuminatio tap off the parking light wirenot the dimmer casue if the radio cant dim its lights you might ruin it

You should be able to find both constant and switched power at the fuse box, or at the column.

You should find a group of thick wires coming from the steering column:  Constant, Ignition, Ignition2 (sometimes), Accessory, and Start..........just test these wires to figure out which ones are constant and accessory.

Or just look for any unused terminals in the fuse box and test those.

Most aftermarket radios don't have any illumination wire whatsoever.  If yours does, it's hard to know whether it just wants a straight parking light wire, or one that's variable with the dash dimmer.  You won't break anything if you use the wrong wire; it just won't dim properly.  Start out by using the variable one coming out of the dimmer, and see if the radio behaves correctly.  If it doesn't work like you think it should, then choose the parking light wire that's going into the dash dimmer.  Since the radio hardly draws any power for illumination, you can get these connections anywhere it's convenient.

If you do get constant power at the battery, DO use a fuse.  (If you had no fuse, and the wire became shorted out, it would melt and ruin your whole day.)  You're probably safe using whatever size fuse the radio uses, or maybe a little larger.  And make sure you get the type of fuse holder that's waterproof.