Sterio on-off-on-off....unless you move the key!!!

[boneybradley]

I have a problem (not my motor but one I allways get to fix )
it's a 94 vento and the radio work's perfect until you hit a bump etc and goes off....if you move the ignition key a bit it will come back on (the key moves around too much for my liking but hey ho) and it work's until the key moves again.. I am thinking new igniton switch (and new barrell as they are a pig to do!!) but is there anything else I should consider. I have had the plug off they back of the switch and they test ok and all wires to the sterio are all ok too.
Please help as it's a steering wheel off and drill bit job to sort the switch and I don't wanna do that unless needed

[tommk3cab]

the igntion switch will be the problem, i have it occasionally with my golf, if the stereo is a standard one as far as i know replacing it will be the only option, if however its an aftermarket HU or can be totally swiched off from the stereo itself then a bit of butchering of the wires behind the stereo will sort it. the  yellow and red wires that come into the back of the stereo off the connector block need joining together, this will give a permanent live feed and will solve this problem but could cause battery issues if the live cannot be cut manually e.g by taking the faceplate off or a proper off button on the HU not just a standby.

[gibby]

I've had this on my mk1 a couple of times, not sure if mk3s are the same, but both times the offending item has been the ignition switch. mk1s have a white connector at the bottom of the ignition barrel and these wear and cause the stereo to go off if you hit a bump and the stereo is wired to the ignition. As tommmk3cab said, wire it up to permanent live and it will not be a problem, but you'll probably find that if the problem is the ignition switch then it will cause you more problems eventually.

[tommk3cab]

yeah true, my mates ig switch went and he had no lights and windsreen wipers and stuff, basically it thought the car was off! a local electitian pro botched it for him though and it has worked again for a while now, probably not for long though, he bypassed the switch all together i think so the lights could be on even with the car off all together.