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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: JMK3 on 17 January 2014, 15:35

Title: Stereo troubles
Post by: JMK3 on 17 January 2014, 15:35
Hi guys, new to the forum.
I bought a pretty tidy mk3 golf cl, 3dr. L reg and i got it home with just 68k on the clock, unfortunately its only a 1.4 though :shocked:

Now it didnt come with a head unit so i went a bought one(sony, can find out the exact model if required), as i'd read on another thread i bridged the ign feed to the perm feed and plugged it straight in to the loom.

The problem is it doesnt always turn on with the electrics on or the engine on, its very temperamental. sometimes it powers with the ignition, sometimes it does after starting the car two or three times, sometimes not at all. It also sometimes cuts out when i turn round a corner but comes back on a few seconds after.

My first thought is would it maybe be the ignition switch needs replacing?
Any ideas?
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: Therusterman on 17 January 2014, 16:14
Sounds like a wiring issue with the head unit itself, don't think you'll need to replace the ignition switch. Best bet would be to pull the head unit out and go from there
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: JMK3 on 17 January 2014, 16:17
Sounds like a wiring issue with the head unit itself, don't think you'll need to replace the ignition switch. Best bet would be to pull the head unit out and go from there

Go where from there?
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: Shizzle on 17 January 2014, 16:24
check all the wires going into the head unit or evan replace it and see if you have the same problems.
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: JMK3 on 17 January 2014, 16:30
check all the wires going into the head unit or evan replace it and see if you have the same problems.

With a multimeter? what sort of readings should i be getting?

It also works fine when the car and electrics arent running
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: gasketface on 17 January 2014, 16:30
Bad connection somewhere.Why not just tape off the earth and live you have it connected to and start over.Find another permanent live and do your own earth.
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: Therusterman on 17 January 2014, 16:42
Sounds like a wiring issue with the head unit itself, don't think you'll need to replace the ignition switch. Best bet would be to pull the head unit out and go from there

Go where from there?

Should of been more specific. You'll need to get hold of a mulitmeter, and you'll need to look for 2 power wires, on your head unit they are normally red and yellow, one is permanently live and the other is only live with the ignition on. Without both of these working your head unit won't power up.

Also check your earth wire (usually black on the head unit) is properly connected
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: JMK3 on 17 January 2014, 16:43
Bad connection somewhere.Why not just tape off the earth and live you have it connected to and start over.Find another permanent live and do your own earth.

sounds like an idea
how would i do that? im not very knowledgeable with how to do that sort of thing haha
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: JMK3 on 17 January 2014, 16:45
Sounds like a wiring issue with the head unit itself, don't think you'll need to replace the ignition switch. Best bet would be to pull the head unit out and go from there

Go where from there?

Should of been more specific. You'll need to get hold of a mulitmeter, and you'll need to look for 2 power wires, on your head unit they are normally red and yellow, one is permanently live and the other is only live with the ignition on. Without both of these working your head unit won't power up.

Also check your earth wire (usually black on the head unit) is properly connected

Ok, cheers mate, were would the earth point coming from the stereo be? could it possible be a problem on that side?
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: Shizzle on 17 January 2014, 16:53
Earth will come from the stereo will be a black wire also is your stereo plug and play or do oyu have an adapter wire that comes from the stereo and plug into the car loom.
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: itavaltalainen on 17 January 2014, 16:59
here's a wiring diagram:

http://www.motor-talk.de/forum/aktion/Attachment.html?attachmentId=716149
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: JMK3 on 17 January 2014, 17:02
Earth will come from the stereo will be a black wire also is your stereo plug and play or do oyu have an adapter wire that comes from the stereo and plug into the car loom.

Ok, from the stereo where will it end up? may as well clean the earth while im checking it all.

It has the adapter wire from the stereo to the loom
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: Foreveryoungaus16v on 17 January 2014, 17:34
Bad connection somewhere.Why not just tape off the earth and live you have it connected to and start over.Find another permanent live and do your own earth.

Take it to a garage to do

sounds like an idea
how would i do that? im not very knowledgeable with how to do that sort of thing haha
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: MereKat on 17 January 2014, 18:47
Join the permanent and switched lives on the headunit and join them to the permanent live from the car wiring. If it comes on by switching the headunit itself on then that should rule out the permanent live in the car.

My guess, as i had the same thing, is the ignition switch. They're fairly common to wear on the Mk3! Easy to change and its a £9 part on ebay.

Edit: just seen that's pretty much what was already said after reading 3 times!lol Mine also cut out randomly on bends, bumps etc but the engine kept running...not had a problem since changing the switch.
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: itavaltalainen on 18 January 2014, 01:21
just fyi:
joining permanent and ignition 12v is ok for testing but not permanent solution - most radios then will drain battery.

Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: MereKat on 18 January 2014, 18:20
Mine was permanently connected for a year until starting the car became problematic and i changed the switch. Had to turn it on and off manually though.
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: JMK3 on 20 January 2014, 13:07
Just checked the wiring and i have the yellow going to red and the red going to a yell.
New switch has also been orderd
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: itavaltalainen on 20 January 2014, 13:32
the red - yellow thing is correct because vw don't comply with iso and igntion and permanent 12v are the other way round.
did you check the other wires? i.e. the one in the car's loom, not the radio harness?
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: JMK3 on 20 January 2014, 15:00
i checked them as far down as i could follow and couldnt see a problem
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: itavaltalainen on 20 January 2014, 15:52
check them with a multimeter (£10), anything else is guessing
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: JMK3 on 21 January 2014, 09:39
check them with a multimeter (£10), anything else is guessing

yeah, main though it the ignition switch though, sometimes when the cars running & the stereo wont come on then if i give the key a wiggle itll switch on
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: JMK3 on 21 January 2014, 12:48
check them with a multimeter (£10), anything else is guessing

I was also under the impression that it wasnt getting any power at times because of the faulty ignition switch? if power isnt getting to it the multimeter wont read anything
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: itavaltalainen on 21 January 2014, 14:04
yeah but you can trace the wire back and check if it is the ignition switch or just poor contact somewhere or a broken wire ;)
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: MereKat on 21 January 2014, 14:46
If wiggling the key turns the radio on, id go with the switch.
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: xionsolaris on 22 January 2014, 10:10
My stereo does not dimm on sidelights or switch on when i press it only works on aux feed but it dosent loose its memory
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: JMK3 on 27 January 2014, 15:14
Replaced the ignition switch yesterday. everything works a trea :grin:
Title: Re: Stereo troubles
Post by: MereKat on 27 January 2014, 19:41
Good news  :cool: