Head unit losing memory

[Pete Taylor]

I've just installed a sony bluetooth head unit into my mk3 golf gti i've just got, but every time i switch the ignition off the memory is lost from the head unit. Everything else seems fine. Apart from a couple of dodgey bits of taped up wiring, I found a connector in there too but wasn't sure what it was for. Seems it's from the back of the air con switch!! I'm really not that great with wiring so any help would be appreciated!

[Pete Taylor]

I read on another post that swapping over the red and yellow wires does the trick, i'm guessing these wires are on the connector i got with the head unit that's inbetween the standard vw iso block and head unit? I'm at work today so I can't go mess around with it!

[Ozz]

Hi mate, the red wire is your permanent live, the yellow is your switched live (12v when the ignition key is turned). Swapping them over is supposed to work but I have always wired both red and yellow wires from the radio into the red wire from the car, so that you can use the radio without the ignition turned on. 

[Pete Taylor]

Sounds good but i'd be a bit worried about the battery dying! I've got some rear door handles off a 5 door to put on the front to get rid of the locks because of them pesky kids having a go at it, if the battery dies i'll be scrambling through the boot!

[tommk3cab]

as long as you take the face plate with you you shouldnt have a problem, assuming you have one.

[Pete Taylor]

Good point..

[Chidub]

I had the same problem on mine. As said above I joined the switched live and the permanent live to the main 12v from the car and now just pop off the face plate when I park up. However, I had the same problem on a friends fiesta and turned out the switched live and the permanent live were the wrong way round. It might be worth testing with a volt meter as you switch the ignition on and off to check they are all joined in the right places.

[Bluefox]

Easiest fix is to switch the wires around if you loose memory, as mentioned... it's so simple it's not even worth getting the miltimeter out...
Incidentially, I've always wired up my stereo's in such a way that they're always on unless I take the face plate off. Originally, to persuade the mrs to remove her face plate... but more recently to remind me. I've been known to remove the mp3 player and go shopping, leaving the stereo playing nothing happily

[tommk3cab]

oh my stereo is never playing nothing trust me!

[billy_vw]

just swap the wires round and hey presto