accessory wire for stereo

[Kingjoel]

I have a 1978 GS 1000, it has a Windjammer faring with stereo. The PO had it wired so the key needed to be in the on position for power to the stereo. I would like it to work on the accessory position. From the diagram I looked at the orange wire is accessory (I could be wrong). The orange wire doesn't have juice in any position. Could this be a bad ignition switch? Thanks for any help.

[gsrick]

Just tap into the accessory contacts at the bottom of the fuse box.

[Steve]

NOTICE: There is no ACCessory position on the key. You have LOCK, OFF, ON and PARK.

WARNING: Tapping in to the ACC fuse will enable your radio to come on any time you turn it on, but it will also NOT go off with the key.

The orange wire you mention is the wire that comes from the ignition switch to the rest of the bike. It should be live with the key in the ON position.

I don't know if the '78 1000 had a single fuse or a panel like Rick showed. If it has a multi-fuse panel, be aware that there are FOUR orange wires.
One is solid orange, it comes from the ignition switch and powers three other fuses.
A second one has a red stripe, it powers the lights.
A third one has a green stripe, it powers the brake light, turn signals and warning lights.
The fourth one has a white stripe, it powers the coils and enables the electric starter.


The only way to tap in to stock wiring that is controlled by the ignition switch is to also have everything else on. All the bikes in my stable also have this same "problem". I don't like it, but we have gotten used to it.

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[Sandy]

I haven't got the wiring diagram in front of me but I have an idea. I think there is a spare brown wire inside the headlight bucket that comes live when you turn the key the to park position. It's for the park light feature on the Euro model to light up a park light in their headlights.The problem is it also lights up the taillight. If you were to move the taillight to a power source that comes on with key in the on position like the instruments lights then the taillight would come on when the bike is running and you could use the park position as an accessory feature for the radio. Just a thought, anybody see a reason why this might or might not work?

[Steve]

Just a thought, anybody see a reason why this might or might not work?

Just one.

The PARK position is almost never used on a regular basis. Many who have gotten a 'new' bike have tried it and experienced getting the lock mechanism stuck. It might stick the actual lock, preventing the key from coming out or it might stick the fork lock mechanism, preventing moving the key and lock to a position where you can actually ride the bike again.

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[posplayr]

Just tap into the accessory contacts at the bottom of the fuse box.

+1...........

[Kingjoel]

Thank you all very much! I thought there was an ACC position. I will wire it hot all the time so I can play it during "refreshment stops" without risk of burning the points. Thanks again

[Steve]

You will avoid burning the points that way, but you also stand a chance of running the battery down. Be careful.

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[chuck hahn]

I dont think powers going to the points in the PARK key position. is it??? If not you can find the hot wire for the bulb with the key in the PARK position and us that as your feed wire.

[chuck hahn]

I would also throw a meter on the shielded brown wire that isnt used in the headlight bucket. See if it goes hot in the PARK position too. May be a much shorter and easier routing for the stereo power supply.

[Steve]

No power to the points in PARK, and the brown wire (if he has one) will have power in PARK, but you need to keep the thoughts in my post #5 in mind before going that route.

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