Radio troubles for 1985 Chevy Caprice

check fuses especially fuse #13 in the fuse box inside the car under the dash.

buy a multi meter, and start probing :) there are tons of educational vids on youtube on using multimeters to diagnose and fix electrical problems :) basic multimeters for diy cost almost nothing.
some of the vids:

Electrical Troubleshooting Basics EricTheCarGuy

Fixing Strange Auto Electrical Problems

DIY Testing Fuses

FREE drawings & TECHNICAL SERVICE Bulletins
can be found (totally FREE) at
BBB Industries Premium Alternators Starters Power Steering Products

You will find registration is required
(these are real manufacturer drawings).

Carnac the Magnificent

Just a guess, but it sounds like you were looking for power on the wrong wire. What you measured sounds like the feed that keeps your radio presets from being lost. If I'm right, that wire would be hot at all times. Key on or off doesn't matter. All I can offer is keep looking for the fuse for it. See if your friend can find you a wiring diagram to figure out the radio wiring and what color wire is the power for the radio. If you have your owner's manual, that would show the fuse lay-out, and where the radio fuse is. Good luck.

you should use multi diag office i-2010 to check your engine and use this tool to clear fault codes.

Try to get gas tank close to empty so it's not that heavy. Lift up rear end of box, take down the fuel tank. You will notice an entry w/ some hoses leading into the tank. If i'm not mistaken you unscrew it counterclockwise, or remove whatever screws are holding it in place & lift up the whole fuel pump appartus. It comes sold as a whole unit, so whatever individual piece isn't working I'm sure you wont find it by itself unless you hit up a junkyard.

Remove the plunger rod by removing the plate that is bolted to the block. Clean all parts if needed.

Apply some axle grease to the plunger rod and reinstall into the block, replace plate, then carefully install fuel pump, making sure the plunger is under the push rod.

Just did this same thing on my '66 283.

DON'T TRY. REPLACE ALL CABLES BECAUSE IT WILL CAUSE ALTERNATOR NOISE ON YOUR CAR AUDIO SYSTEM- IT WAS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO THE ORIGINAL SET AND DOESN'T WORK FINE WITH OTHER. DO NOT ASK MY HOW I kNOW THIS

YOU NEED UNSCREW DASH, SCREWS ARE LOCATED UNDER THE LABEL OF THE DASH. AFTER YOU REMOVE ALL OF THEM, YOU CAN PULL OUT THE FRONT LID COVER GENTLY AND UNSCREW THE BASE OF THE ORIGINAL RADIO

almost every rear drive drive full size used the 305 V8, so u can get an engine from a Buick La sabre, Pontiac bonneville and firebird, also Oldsmobile 88, and don't forget Camaro. any 305 chevy V8 will bolt in, also the 350 V8 will bolt in, this is a much better choice..