the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
icon

'Radio On' signal line in Focus?


Post ReplyPost New Topic
< Prev Topic Next Topic >
Dm4ca 
Member - Posts: 12
Member spacespace
Joined: July 15, 2003
Location: United States
Posted: August 01, 2003 at 9:28 AM / IP Logged  
I've got a Sirius tuner and FM modulator installed in a 2002 4-door Focus. It takes power from 'always on' and 'key on' 12V lines. Radio is stock AM/FM cassette.
Now, this is a PITA when you want to listen to the satellite radio when the car is stopped. Without the key on, you can turn on the radio, but the Sirius won't power up. If you put the key in the ignition and open the doors the chime sounds continually.
I'm assuming that the 'key on' line is serving as a power-up signal to the Sirius gear. Is there a 'radio on' line at the back of the radio unit that I can use instead?
____________________
Don't let your meat loaf.
esmith69 
Gold - Posts: 1,511
Gold spaceThis member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: November 26, 2002
Location: United States
Posted: August 01, 2003 at 11:23 AM / IP Logged  

Well the radio shouldn't turn on without the key in the ACC or ON position.  Sounds like maybe the wire that's the supposed to give the radio it's switched power signal is actually putting out a constant signal.  If you take a look at this picture, the wire you want to check out on your harness will correspond to the red wire on the right side plug.  If you're starting from the left end of the plug it's the 3rd wire as you move towards the right side of the plug.

This wire should only give you voltage when the key is in the ACC or ON position, not when the vehicle is turned off.  If it still gets power even when the car is off then that would be your culprit.

In that picture I showed you, since that single harness is intended to be used as a replacement for many different ford vehicles, they provide a connection for the remote turn on for a factory amplifier.  This wire behaves basically the same way a power antenna wire would behave, except that it will still receive voltage even if you're listening to a cassette or a CD (whereas the power antenna wire does not get voltage unless its on the radio).

I gathered from your post that you're using the factory radio, correct?  In that case I'm assuming you're using an fm modulator, and with that being the case you could technically use a power antenna wire though because whenever you want the sirius tuner to turn on, you'd also need the fm radio on as well.

However, because your vehicle did not come with a factory amplifier or a power antenna, it is likely that no wires actually exist on your harness.  They may be present though, and if so after verifying them with a multimeter you can use either one to hook up your satellite tuner's switched power connection and you should be good to go.

BTW what's the model number of your tuner?  I think the last Sirius tuner I installed only used a switched power connection and a ground connection.  I think it was the modulator that required all three connections though.

Ethan
-----
"Patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success"
Donate to the12volt.com
Dm4ca 
Member - Posts: 12
Member spacespace
Joined: July 15, 2003
Location: United States
Posted: August 01, 2003 at 12:09 PM / IP Logged  
esmith69 wrote:

BTW what's the model number of your tuner?  I think the last Sirius tuner I installed only used a switched power connection and a ground connection.  I think it was the modulator that required all three connections though.

Both Kenwood. I forget the model #s. The Tuner does in fact have only the constant power lead. I would assume that a line in the control cable (from the modulator or "Sirius-ready" head unit) signals power-on.
I guess the question then is, do the factory FM/Cassette radios have a power antenna or equivalent lead?
____________________
Don't let your meat loaf.
esmith69 
Gold - Posts: 1,511
Gold spaceThis member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: November 26, 2002
Location: United States
Posted: August 01, 2003 at 12:59 PM / IP Logged  

So do you have an aftermarket kenwood head unit already installed?  Is that what you meant by "both kenwood"?

Ethan
-----
"Patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success"
Donate to the12volt.com
Dm4ca 
Member - Posts: 12
Member spacespace
Joined: July 15, 2003
Location: United States
Posted: August 01, 2003 at 1:08 PM / IP Logged  
I don't understand the confusion there. My original post clearly states that I have a Sirius tuner and FM modulator, and a factory ("stock") radio.
The tuner and modulator are "both Kenwood". And if I had a Kenwood head unit, I wouldn't need the modulator, would I?
____________________
Don't let your meat loaf.
esmith69 
Gold - Posts: 1,511
Gold spaceThis member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: November 26, 2002
Location: United States
Posted: August 01, 2003 at 1:10 PM / IP Logged  

Nevermind I think I see now...you meant that your modulator/controller is the same as the tuner, right?

I just checked the manual and it appears that it's just a constant power connection and that it'll turn on and off automatically.  It has a 3A fuse but under the specs. section it lists the current consumption as 800mA.

Again, a properly hooked up Ford radio should not turn on without the key in.  It can be wired up to do this, but it's not the correct way.  If you don't mind manually turning on/off the modulator/controller every time you turn the car on and off, then you can just give the modulator two constant power connections as well.  You'll just want to make sure that you don't forget to turn it off because the modulator WILL still use power if it is left on, even if the radio itself is turned off.

Ethan
-----
"Patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success"
Donate to the12volt.com
Dm4ca 
Member - Posts: 12
Member spacespace
Joined: July 15, 2003
Location: United States
Posted: August 01, 2003 at 1:14 PM / IP Logged  
Well this is interesting. I got email notice of the following message. But I don't see it here on the forum. (Thanks for the info, btw.)
esmith69 wrote:

If your vehicle's stereo has a power antenna trigger wire then it should be the wire next to the amp turn on wire that I showed you in the picture. So if you're looking at the grey plug, starting from the right side, it's the 2nd wire as you move towards the left side of the plug.

____________________
Don't let your meat loaf.
Dm4ca 
Member - Posts: 12
Member spacespace
Joined: July 15, 2003
Location: United States
Posted: August 01, 2003 at 1:21 PM / IP Logged  
esmith69 wrote:

Nevermind I think I see now...you meant that your modulator/controller is the same as the tuner, right?

No. The tuner (Kenwood KTC-SR901) and the FM modulator/control unit (Kenwood KCA-R70FM) are two distinct units. The "both Kenwood" phrase was in a reply to your quote where you (corretly) cite the tuner and the modulator as different units.
____________________
Don't let your meat loaf.
Dm4ca 
Member - Posts: 12
Member spacespace
Joined: July 15, 2003
Location: United States
Posted: August 01, 2003 at 1:36 PM / IP Logged  
esmith69 wrote:

Again, a properly hooked up Ford radio should not turn on without the key in.  It can be wired up to do this, but it's not the correct way.

Don't see how it can be the case. I spliced the Sirius key-on line into the radio key-on line. When the key is turned off both the head unit and the Sirius control unit turn off. If the car key-on line was tied high, they would both stay on.
Now that I think about it, Focus is a "world car", meaning that essentially the same car is sold in Europe too. In older European cars the radio functioned independently of the key position. (I ran a couple batteries down that way. <g>) So Europeans expect that behavior but Americans don't. I wonder it this is compromise? The key-on line dropping voltage triggers the radio to turn off, but a manual 'on' signal will turn it back on.
The VOM will tell the tale.
____________________
Don't let your meat loaf.
bfog99 
Copper - Posts: 212
Copper spacespace
Joined: June 04, 2003
Location: United States
Posted: August 01, 2003 at 3:03 PM / IP Logged  

I also have a focus, but mine is a '03. I can also turn the radio on without the key in it. The amp doesn't power up but the radio will come on.

Page of 2

  Printable version Printable version Post ReplyPost New Topic
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

  •  
Search the12volt.com
Follow the12volt.com Follow the12volt.com on Facebook
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 • Copyright © 1999-2024 the12volt.com, All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy & Use of Cookies
Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.

Secured by Sectigo
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
Support the12volt.com
Top
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer