Stereo troubles

[JMK3]

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

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?

[Therusterman]

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

[JMK3]

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?

[Shizzle]

check all the wires going into the head unit or evan replace it and see if you have the same problems.

[JMK3]

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

[gasketface]

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.

[Therusterman]

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

[JMK3]

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

[JMK3]

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?

[Shizzle]

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.