Author Topic: My stereo is ALWAYS on  (Read 3082 times)

Offline capoot

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My stereo is ALWAYS on
« on: 22 May 2005, 17:47 »
as above really i could take the keys out and itll still play! im scared this will nuke the battery, any ideas?

Offline Dizzie

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Re: My stereo is ALWAYS on
« Reply #1 on: 22 May 2005, 18:14 »
it's wired for permanant live.  you need to wire it so the ignition is linked to the headunit.

black - earth
yellow - live
red - ignition live
Mk4 Golf 150PD

Offline capoot

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Re: My stereo is ALWAYS on
« Reply #2 on: 22 May 2005, 19:08 »
where is tht and how the hell do i do tht!?

Offline Splinter

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Re: My stereo is ALWAYS on
« Reply #3 on: 23 May 2005, 10:29 »
If you have never done it before, you might be better taking it to a stereo place or auto electrics and I would guess they'll charge a tenner for doing it. If there are no lights on the stereo when switched off, it shouldn't cause the battery any problems (unless obviously you accidently leave it on)

...or DIY version; remove stereo, normally done with metal strips down each side or removal pins depending on stereo and a firm pull, then behind you will see the black, yellow and red power supplies, along with all the speaker/RCA wires. In your case it sounds like yellow & red are connected together. This may have been done because of a commen fault with your ignition switch (behind the barrel where your key goes) is damaged and you might need to get this replaced. (approx. cost £20 + £20 labour) Hopefully not though.

(Its a dead easy job to re-wire stereo, with the hardest part can be just getting the stereo out)

If you need to re-wire, I have always used block connectors for easy/tidy connections like below.


" Do it today, Don't wait until tomorrow "

Offline capoot

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Re: My stereo is ALWAYS on
« Reply #4 on: 23 May 2005, 14:37 »
cheers guys i'll tell u how i get on!  :smiley:

Offline Uku

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Re: My stereo is ALWAYS on
« Reply #5 on: 05 November 2006, 00:13 »
ok my golf had no 'yellow' ignition wire , (mkII) i guess some models dont come with them as standard , to solve this i piggybacked a wire off the main feed to the switch which feeds the power to the fan control. this wire only becomes live when the igniton is turned on , so far ive had no problems and the fuse hasnt blown so theres no issue with amp's , if there was id just increase the fuse size.

Offline Uruk Hai

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Re: My stereo is ALWAYS on
« Reply #6 on: 05 November 2006, 13:34 »
I dont think any of the MK2's had an ignition live so what you did is what a lot of people do  :smiley:

Offline Bluefox

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Re: My stereo is ALWAYS on
« Reply #7 on: 05 November 2006, 23:45 »
This is true, niether of my mk2's had ign lives.
In any case, I've always wired all my head units to perm live - so I remember to take the facia out when I'm leaving the car.
Well, actually, I did it so the mrs would remember but she was stood behind me when I started writing this :laugh:
You get my point, anyway.
Bluefox
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Offline tommk3cab

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« Reply #8 on: 16 December 2006, 18:58 »
use cigarette lighter live, 10 second job.
« Last Edit: 16 December 2006, 19:01 by tommk3cab »

Offline monzablue16v

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Re: My stereo is ALWAYS on
« Reply #9 on: 16 December 2006, 19:46 »
Cigarrete lighter is a permanent feed on the mk2 so don't  use that! might be the cig lighter light you conneceted to.

Probably got lost in the "Great Crash of 08