I'm thinking about instalilng a fm modulator in my bonneville, and i'd like it so that the only times it can get power are pretty much when the radio is on, like on acc, and shut off when i shut the car off........where can i get the 12V power from for my modulator? in the fuse box? or cigarrette lighter?

I believe you could just tap into the radio power wire (blue one I think).

would that lower the amount of power going to the radio then?

I thought that too, but I wired my angel eyes to it, and there'* no difference whatsoever. The angel eyes draw such little power though. I'm not sure if the modulator would take noticeable power away from the radio.

how did u tap into the radio power cable?

tap connectors

should not tap behind the radio... can cause interference (spelling?) but that'* just me.

use the cig lighter...because then it is also switched, which means that you cant leave it on, and drain the battery.


I agree with swerve, do not use the radio

There are tons of good sources at the fusebox. Usually intended for possible options that weren't installed. A quick test with a multimeter and a couple flicks of the key will tell you which ones are switched.

I was looking through my 1992 bonneville service manual

and presuming it'* the same as my 1996 is...

it shows that fuses 9,10,22,23 are spare fuses..

so are they not being used? and could be used for my modulator?

also, it shows in here a cigarette lighter is hot at all times, so i pry wont tap into that