No power from 12v constant! (1997 Camry)

[Choco]

So I picked up up a new Panasonic CD receiver with USB/AUX support to install in my 1997 Camry. While the guy at Fry's Electronics was selling it to me, he pointed out the harness I would need. I didn't feel like paying $19.99 for a simple wiring job, so I just bought the receiver and got to work.

I removed the wires directly from the factory harnesses (two in this Camry, no external amp) for the maximum cable length. I crimped all the connections together just fine according to the information I had found online. First test run... produces nothing but rage. No power to unit, even when the car itself was switched on. I knew I had put the wires together correctly, so I was pretty baffled.

I got my roommate's multimeter and started testing things out. Car turned on provided a nice 12 volts from the cigarette light and the 12v switched/ACC line to the receiver. The constant 12v line, however, sat at a 0.00 volt reading with the car on and the car off. Considering that the stock receiver that my car had before was able to save radio presets and such, the constant line has worked until I tried to switch in the new receiver.

So my constant line is supposed to be this fat blue cable with yellow stripes on the sides. It gets no power even though there hasn't been a change that should cause this. I checked all the fuses under my dash and the radio fuse under my hood's fuse box. Everything looks fine. Trouble is, I don't have a spare 7.5 fuse to even test the replacement at the moment. No spares left.

My workaround for now is to use just the switched on power soldered (not directly) to the constant and switched cables of my receiver. It powers on and does all its wonderful work when the car is switched on. I'd like for the constant line to work, however, so my receiver can stay smart and remember my silly radio stations and where I was on the CD I was listening to.

I've seen on other threads that you can run a line directly from the battery, but that seems like a pretty, um, risky operation. I don't want my battery to be drained, after all. So this is my situation, and I don't know why there is no longer any power to my 12v constant. Anyone know where I can look for the source of constant line's power in case something got disconnected or loose? Any suggestions would help at this point. If I haven't given enough information, feel free to ask for more.

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[x1le 10+ year member]

You could tap into your 12v constant in your ignition harness...

And if you wanted to run it straight from your battery that's also an option. There's no way it will drain your battery.

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

maybe tap off cigarette lighter wire if its constant

 

[Choco]

You could tap into your 12v constant in your ignition harness...
And if you wanted to run it straight from your battery that's also an option. There's no way it will drain your battery.

Do you have a link to some pictures/tutorials/etc about how to do this? I don't mind learning, but I'm already deep into unknown territory. I'll need some pretty in-depth information to go on.

Also, I don't think my lighter power is on a constant, else I'd be able to charge things while the car isn't on. Not absolutely certain, though.

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

Do you have a link to some pictures/tutorials/etc about how to do this? I don't mind learning, but I'm already deep into unknown territory. I'll need some pretty in-depth information to go on.
Also, I don't think my lighter power is on a constant, else I'd be able to charge things while the car isn't on. Not absolutely certain, though.

Its either a blown fuse or the wrong wire. So go buy some fuses.

Also chances are the fuse will be under the hood and probably not labeled as a radio fuse. That means pull out the meter and do work son.

 

[iamamp3pimp 5,000+ posts]

You could tap into your 12v constant in your ignition harness...
And if you wanted to run it straight from your battery that's also an option. There's no way it will drain your battery.

i ran mine straight from the battery today, had the same problem.

had 12v everywhere from the fuse box to the dash, then when it went down to the harness, no 12v.

i got tired of messing with it, so i just replaced it, and the ground.

problem solved.

now if i could just get one more remote wire to the back for a 12v source

 

[Choco]

Its either a blown fuse or the wrong wire. So go buy some fuses.
Also chances are the fuse will be under the hood and probably not labeled as a radio fuse. That means pull out the meter and do work son.

That's my project for Monday evening I guess. Working during daylight hours makes working on car stuff difficult.