Kenwood car stereo (turn on, connect, system, direct)

[Floorist]

They have two hot wires. A red one and a yellow one. Do both need to be connected for it to work?

[akrausz]

That information takes seconds to find if you do a search. Both are required. Yellow is constant power. Red is switched power.

[Floorist]

Originally Posted by akrausz

That information takes seconds to find if you do a search. Both are required. Yellow is constant power. Red is switched power.

I can hook the yellow directly to a battery and the radio comes on. Even has sound coming out of the speaker I had wired to it.

[akrausz]

Originally Posted by Floorist

I can hook the yellow directly to a battery and the radio comes on. Even has sound coming out of the speaker I had wired to it.

Interesting. It isn't supposed to turn on without supplying power to the red wire as well (like when the car ignition is turned on).

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by akrausz

Interesting. It isn't supposed to turn on without supplying power to the red wire as well (like when the car ignition is turned on).

Yes, that is the way it is on the system I just installed in my classic car. Yellow is constant power only for retaining the memory, stations and settings. Red is switched so that the radio only turns on when the ignition is on. Perhaps it's reversed on this Kenwood. If you don't have the installation instructions you can probably find it online.

[RetireinPA]

yellow is SUPPOSED to be just KAM and red is power, that is switched.


HOWEVER....some put power to the amp and memory all the time, only turning on via a soft switch the amp voltage rails if the red keyed wire is on.


soooooo, tell me this: the red and yellow wire from the back of the kenwood 'box' which is thicker or both the same?


I theorize that something inside let go...that yellow is thicker and the transistor off the red wire is blortched. (technical industry term)


you dont say what kenwood this is? KDC....model? might be able to find the SCM...