Head unit only powers with lights on

[protwizz]

I've just installed a Pioneer Double Din AVH-3200BT head unit in my 2010 Silverado, but I'm only getting power when the lights are switched on. There are only 3 wires other than the speaker wires and ground coming out of the dash. One is 16 Gauge and Red with a white stripe. One is 18 Gauge and solid yellow. the last is 18 Gauge and solid Dark Green. Every wiring diagram I've found for a Silverado list an orange wire as being the constant 12v +, but since I didn't have that I connected the Red/White wire. Could this be my problem?

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[ramos 5,000+ posts]

Sounds like you got the headlight wire for a power lead. Check your switched 12v wire with a dmm see if it gets power with the key in the on position , but without the light switch on. If it doesn't get power, you need to find another switched 12v besides the headlights //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[AlterEgo99 5,000+ posts]

DMM bro...DMM...I've got an '08 Silverado and simply used the 12V power wire that was used for the OEM radio...of course I purchased a harness that matched my OEM harness to my Alpine 9887 so it was easy peasy lemon squeezy...but a DMM will be a great help if you are wiring it without a harness.