So I started playing around with the cd player that was already wired... found the first problem. A blown fuse in the back of the cd player. Replaced the fuse and bingo it works... but here is the new problem. It stays on the entire time so it must be directly connected to the battery. When I test drove it with the cd player... the volts went way up whenever I gave it gas and the cd player bugged out and turned off...

I could put an inline fuse before the cd player... but that doesnt really fix the problem and then I'd be buying and replacing fuses constantly... any other ideas of how to remedy this problemo?

just find a wire nearby that's switched and add your fused connection to that so it only comes on with the ignition or wire it to an accessory wire

ok but now my volts go up whenever i hit the gas... i am pretty sure that didnt happen before i started messing with the cd player... it still does this even after unplugging the cd player

also how would i know which wire is switched? i red on 02 faq that the red wire is switched and the yellow was constant power...

Bad voltage regulator. It has nothing to do with the cd player.

^^^ makes sense! i'm glad its not an expensive problem. thanks for the help layne

ok I installed the new voltage regulator today (easiest diy ever)

and now the car doesnt start. I can hear it sending power to the starter but it wont turn over or anything wtf

The regulator was only being held in by 1 screw... could this be a bad ground for the regulator? I still have power. The fuel pump turns on and the cd player works...

low battery was the culprit. all is well now :D

I just installed an old vintage Blaupunkt radio in my '76 and found a yellow constant 12v wire and a red ignition-switched 12v wire. Connected the red which works just the way you want yours to work.