HOW TO: Connect Stereo to Retained Power

I've come up with an easy, cheap, and reversible way to connect the stereo to retained power! With this mod you can turn off the engine and remove the keys, and the stereo will keep playing until you open a door.

You'll need two Add-A-Circuit adapters. Cut the connector off one and join them together.

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Under the dash, pull the 7.5A fuse for the ACC circuit (#5) and the 20A fuse for one of the power windows - I used the D RR P/W circuit (#15). Install those two fuses in the Add-A-Circuit housing as shown in #2 above - 7.5A on top, 20A on the bottom. In the other housing you'll need to install a fuse of at least 7.5A (I had a spare 20A fuse so I used that) in the top opening of the housing, as shown above.

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Then just plug in the harness as shown below. The #1 end goes in place of fuse #5 and needs to be oriented as shown. The other end goes in place of #15.

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Done! Not the most earth-shattering thing to do to your ride, but a nice feature.

 

Interesting... now how are you turning off the head unit when you’re done jamming to the last few songs on the playlist?

In my ‘13, when the truck is on, you can “turn off” the head unit, but the screen stays on basically saying OFF. You have to pull the wiring harness to shut it down?

At that point I’d probably just run the bastard through a rocker switch since you’re right there at the panel....

I’m not sure when/if I’d ever use this- but good thinking.

 

So you're backfeeding the accessory circuit using the window circuit? That's a pretty clever way of doing it, should work and all turn off as soon as you open a door like you said. I can't remember what else is on that circuit, too, that would also stay on. Cigarette lighter/power socket, I think?

 

Exactly, back feeding the ACC circuit. That circuit includes "Shift lock system, outside rear view mirrors, audio system, power outlets."