I'm trying to add a 12v accessory to my 2009 ranger xlt. I need a 12v wire in which to hook up to that only has power when the key is in and on. I have tried both the radio constant power wire and accessory power wire but both are constant power. Please help!

 

do a barrel roll!


What wires are you tapping into? There is definitely key wires that are going to you radio and accessory....something doesn't seem right....

 

I've tried the 12v radio battery constant wire purple/red and the 12v radio accessory switched wire white/red. Both of them give me power even while the vehicle is off.

 

well thats interesting, but a cig lighter is powered all the time, and you could put it on a switch just hide it under the dash

 

There is no white/red in the audio HU harness. Switched B+ is on the white w/blue stripe.

 

I will have to put it on a switch if I can't figure out a way to hook it so the power is controlled by the key. I used this wiring chart to look for the right wire.

2009 Ford Ranger Car Stereo Installation Guide
Car Radio Battery Constant 12v+ Wire: Violet/Red
Car Radio Accessory Switched 12v+ Wire: White/Red
Car Radio Ground Wire: Black/Yellow
Car Radio Illumination Wire: Blue/White
Car Stereo Dimmer Wire: Green/Red
Car Stereo Antenna Trigger Wire: N/A
Car Stereo Amp Trigger Wire: N/A
Car Stereo Amplifier Location: N/A
Car Audio Front Speakers Size: N/A
Car Audio Front Speakers Location: N/A
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): White
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): White/Brown
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): White/Violet
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): White/Orange
Car Audio Rear Speakers Size: N/A
Car Audio Rear Speakers Location: N/A
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): White/Orange
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/Yellow
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Brown/White
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/Blue

 

The info I gave on the white/blue is from Ford factory schematics.

 

What is the accessory you are trying to wire up? If its a high current demanding device you will probably want to use a relay that is switched by the key driven wire.