Stereo resets when starting engine

[Civ179]

Looking for a solution to why my stereo resets(stations, settings, etc.) When I start the boat. It works while the boat is running, continues working fine when the motor is shut off and key is shut off, but as soon as I turn the key to start the boat, it all resets. The yellow and red out of stereo are connected to the red power wire. Does the yellow memory need it's own wire?

 

[alldodge]

Howdy

The yellow and red out of stereo are connected to the red power wire. Does the yellow memory need it's own wire?

Appears from your statement you have all three wires connected to the same point. Turn the key ON and it powers all of them.

If this is the case, you either have to small a wire feeding them, corrosion on wires allowing for a voltage drop, or a weak battery. When you start your motor, the voltage is dropping below the threshold of the radio and this causes the memory to be lost. The Yellow wire (if this is the stay alive wire) should be connected to a lead which is NOT switched, and of sufficient size to handle the load.

 

[StingrayMike]

I agree with alldodge. The yellow is for radio memory. When you switch between on and start, there is a momentry break in pwr, causing the radio to loose its memory. Take the yellow wire to a constant source of power. If you have a radio fuse or breaker, connect it to there.

 

[Civ179]

So running a wire from the battery straight to the yellow wire will solve? It's a '93 sunbird, no separate radio fuse.

 

[alldodge]

So running a wire from the battery straight to the yellow wire will solve? It's a '93 sunbird, no separate radio fuse.

It should be fused, but run it to the Red/Purple on the ignition switch. The ignition switch is fused for 20 amps. If it still does it after this, you have corrosion issues

 

[Civ179]

I'm back. I never made any changes and just rolled with it. But this is the year I fix it! Did a little more investigating. My boat mechanic says battery is fine. I check wires and they appear good.

There are two wires to the radio, one red one black. They lead around front of boat back to dash. The red goes directly to the ignition switch and black to one large bar that all ground is connected too. So radio works with key out, but the second I crank, it all shuts down.

Can I simply take that red wire and connect to the separate fused ACC switch? That switch currently is just a car type cigarette outlet to charge the cell phone. I've checked with an inflatable tube air pump and when that ACC switch is on, there is continuous power(pump keeps blowing) even when cranking. I would then just turn that on when i go out, and off when im done for the day. I'm totally ok with resetting everything once a day, but not 10 times because I have to unload and load kids on the tube!

 

[Civ179]

It should be fused, but run it to the Red/Purple on the ignition switch. The ignition switch is fused for 20 amps. If it still does it after this, you have corrosion issues

See above. Thanks in advance for your help.