Need Help Connecting Gps Power

MDSilverado · July 5, 2009

I'm trying to connect my portable GPS to my truck without using the cigarette lighter adapter( I hate the wires hanging on the dash). So I bought one of those fuse socket splitters so I could connect the GPS power cable directly to the trucks power system. The problem is every fuse that I plug the adapter into seems to be powered even when the ignition in off. I would like the GPS to turn on and off with the ignition. I have the ground lead connected directly to a body stud and have connected the positive lead to just about every fuse socket in the panel next to the steering wheel and the one under the hood. Can anyone help me find a power source that is switched by the ignition? Thanks.

superjim · July 5, 2009

A lot of them are switched by the ignition, but RETAINED ACCESSORY POWER keeps power to them for 10 minutes after the ignition is switched off.

That makes it harder for you to find one that actually TURNS OFF with the ignition.

I would consider trying the POWER WINDOW fuse.

Power to it should go "OFF" when you turn off the ignition and open the drivers door.

LAGA · July 5, 2009

The only wire I found that is powered by the ignition switch, on the inside of the cab is in the overhead console by the dome light. It is pink in color. I have my radar detector hard wired into it.

lhr360 · July 5, 2009

just run a wire to the junction block down on the floor on the driver side, you will be able to find a terminal that is only powered with ignition on the left side one of the bottom spots where there are not any connectors connected

Wires · July 6, 2009

just run a wire to the junction block down on the floor on the driver side, you will be able to find a terminal that is only powered with ignition on the left side one of the bottom spots where there are not any connectors connected

That's what I did. By the brake petal that junction box has a yellow wire that is "ignition" not "battery". It took 10 minutes to install the power cable to the GPS and hide it in the dash, and then about an hour trying to find a stinking 12V "ignition" wire! That whole fuse block on the left side is all battery only.

MDSilverado · July 6, 2009

just run a wire to the junction block down on the floor on the driver side, you will be able to find a terminal that is only powered with ignition on the left side one of the bottom spots where there are not any connectors connected

That's what I did. By the brake petal that junction box has a yellow wire that is "ignition" not "battery". It took 10 minutes to install the power cable to the GPS and hide it in the dash, and then about an hour trying to find a stinking 12V "ignition" wire! That whole fuse block on the left side is all battery only.

Thanks guys...I'll tap into that yellow wire tomorrow night when its light again. I cant beleive that whole left fuse panel is battery only, but it seems it is? There are fuses in there for rear windshield wiper and seat cooling that I thought for sure would be on the ignnition circuit but they are always hot? I dont get it but am happy for your help. Thanks again!

AgDoctor · July 6, 2009

i did the same thing, i used the power seat fuse. i used it because it works with the truck off and if it blows by some rare chance then i wont be out of some other more vital part.