simple stuff--shows my ignorance

roden001 · February 13, 2005

I have an '03 1500 Z71...

I need to find an 'always on' wire, and an 'on with ignition' wire in my dash, so I can install a cell phone car kit. I believe my cigarette lighter ports are 'always on,' but I can't figure out how to get that panel off in order to access those wires.

Anyways, I'm lost.

Posted this in the audio/electronics section and got no replies. I knew this thread got more traffic, and I'm sure such a simple question will find lots of knowledgeable guys.

Also, my kit says I'm supposed to tap into the orange wire on my head unit's bundle, but there seems to be three orange wires--two larger guage ones next to one another, and one smaller guage one in the midst of all the other smaller guage ones. Any clues?

Thanks, guys. I love this forum.

lrymal · February 13, 2005

Usually, you can find this stuff rather easily via a voltmeter. I never like to tap into a wire unless I can confirm it with a voltmeter. With that said, I honestly can't remember the wire colors in that bundle. sorry........

However, on the fuse box on the 2003 truck's driver's side you have SEO ACCY which could be the accessory on / off circuit. You also have AUX PWR 2. On my 2003, this was active and gave me constant 12 volts. Again, you confirm these functions with a volt meter.

Alternately, you have a constant 12 volts on the cigarette lighter---easy to get to.

I hate hacking into my factory wiring, so I used two ADD-A-CIRCUITS and purchased them from AutoZone: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.c...tnumber=071-580

Others here will give input where these functions can be found, but that's what I did. Again, don't fly blindly when tapping into the wiring, confirm with a voltmeter. Voltmeters are cheap.

bartlanz · February 13, 2005

The easiest and most accessable place I can think of for both would be on the radio wireing harness. But if your going to have something that is going to draw any current from the constant 12v source I would run a new wire from the battery so as to not add a load to a system that is already under wired. To get what colors are what for your radio just go to circuit city or any auto parts place that sells the wireing harness for aftermarket radios and look at the back, they will say "red - something, blue - something else."