My new stereo keeps losing its settings?

Does your new stereo keep losing all of your preset settings and radio stations every time you turn the ignition off? It's a common problem, especially on mk2 Saxo's where the wiring changed and thankfully there are very simple solutions.

A simple solution...

The first solution is pretty simple and applies to headunits that came with their own wiring loom. Pop the stereo out using the removal keys. Disconnect the stereo wiring loom from the cars loom. On the stereo loom you will see a red and a yellow wire. These are the power wires one is the ignition live and the other the permanent live.

These wires come with bullet connectors and pull apart easily, pull them apart. Connect the red wire to the yellow and the yellow to the red and replug the loom back in. Turn your headunit on, store some stations then remove your keys from the ignition. Again turn the unit back on and the stations should be saved.

Another scenario...

Another problem you may encounter here is that some brands don't come with their own loom and plug directly into the unit itself. This become slightly more complicated and can be addressed in two ways.

The cheap/difficult way. Again remove the unit completely and have your voltmeter/bulb tester to hand. Leave the ignition off and using you meter find the only live wire and mark it. Turn the ignition on and find the other live wire and mark it. Now the fun part: cut both wires and then join one to the other similar to swapping the red and yellow above.

The cost/easy way. If you have the direct plug in this can be resolved by visiting your local motor factors and buying a Vauxhall ISO lead. Normally around £10/15 this plugs directly between the headunit and the wiring loom and swaps the wires over.

Hopefully this has been of some use to you.

Scott