I have my constant power hooked up to the cigar lighter. I know its getting juice, because the red power button is lit up even when the car is turned off
but my settings are wiped out every time I turn off the car
so is the problem that I'm getting enough power to light the power button, but not enough to save the settings?
just go to sears or a car audio shop. buy a mounting kit and wiring harnesses for your make, model, and year of car. then connect the wiring according to the color codes on the harness packaging to the stereo, and plug it right into the factory harnesses and location. all done. the cig lighter is probably losing power for a moment when the keys are taken out. that power circuit isn't really set up for how you're using it, which is why it's not retaining settings.