Retained Accessory Power source in a 2005 Malibu

It's often useful to find a key-switched power source in a vehicle, but this is becoming a challenge in the newer GMs. Here's a convenient spot to find accessory power in a 2005 Chevy Malibu. This may also work for a Chevrolet Cobalt or Pontiac G6. In this illustration, I needed an accessory power source for a satellite radio. "Retained Accessory Power" means that the unit will stay on after the key is switched off, until the driver opens a door. Since the factory radio already does this, it's nice if a satellite radio add-on works the same way.



The fuse position pointed out above is labeled "no connection" in the fuse diagram. (This fuse box is located on the passenger side of the center console). The fuse location has a supply terminal, but no output terminal. I'm going to insert my own fuse, with a fuse tap on the opposite leg from the supply terminal. That means that my added circuit will be protected by my fuse.




Another possible use for this power source is a remote turn-on wire for an after-market amplifier, when you're keeping the factory radio. It's important that you tap the fuse on the opposite leg as the supply terminal (the bottom leg, in this case, is the supply). If you put your fuse tap on the same leg as the supply, your new circuit won't be fuse-protected, and you'll risk serious damage to the vehicle if your circuit gets shorted.

I'd suggest using this only for circuits requiring 5 amps or less. That's enough for the accessory power input for most after-market decks.