Motorola wiring question

[kphx87blazer]

I have an 87 K5, I am in the process of wiring a Motorola Saber SVA/ Convertacom in the truck. I have four wires red, black, green, yellow.

I obiously know where the red and black go. But the instructions say the yellow wire goes to the "vehicle ignition circut" and the green wire goes to the "vehicle headlight circuit"

Anyone have any idea where these two "circuit" are?

Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[Fordum]

Yep, the radio has a hot and ground wire, which you have found. That hot wire needs to be hot all the time so the memories stay put.

The ignition circuit wire goes to any wire that is hot when your ignition switch is in either the "run" or "accessory" position. This turns the radio on when the key is turned on.
The dash light wire goes to the wire off your headlight switch that powers the dash lights.
That way, when you turn on your headlights, the light in the display on the radio comes on as well, and can be dimmed along with the dash lights.

J.

 

[Metrodps]

http://www.batlabs.com/saber.html

http://www.batlabs.com/index.html is a good place to spend a little time at has lots of information that you might like.

 

[kphx87blazer]

Metrodps- Thanks for the links. I read some VERY useful info for the Sabers there.

Fordum- Thanks for the info. Do you have any idea where the headlight and ignition circuits are located?

The dash light wire goes to the wire off your headlight switch that powers the dash lights.
That way, when you turn on your headlights, the light in the display on the radio comes on as well, and can be dimmed along with the dash lights.

Also, in regards to the headlights. The radio does not have a "memory" its only a "charger" so do I REALLY need to wire it in the headlights?

 

[Yo]

I found illumination wires for radios etc. to be pointless. A lot of older vehicles won't have an illumination wire anyway.

I skipped this wire when I installed an Alpine head unit recently.

As far as 12v switched (yellow wire), you can use the radio's 12v switched ignition wire; your radio will have a heavy orange wire that's used for 12v constant, and then a smaller red wire that's used for 12v switched; I'd get some tap splices and simply tap in to the small 12v switched wire and call it a day.

 

[cabledawg]

Metrodps- Thanks for the links. I read some VERY useful info for the Sabers there.

Fordum- Thanks for the info. Do you have any idea where the headlight and ignition circuits are located?



Also, in regards to the headlights. The radio does not have a "memory" its only a "charger" so do I REALLY need to wire it in the headlights?

On the fuse panel is a section of unused terminals. Cant remember all the labels or colors, but there should be a few labeled "IGN" and two or three with "LMPS" or something simlilar. Use those for the yellow and green wires. The "LMPS" will operate with the headlamp switch, but not the dimmer. Since you are using this as a charger, you could forego the green as it only runs the backlights on the buttons. I'd recommend using the yellow to turn on/off the unit with the truck. That way you dont accidentally leave it on and drain the battery.