I have an '87 so this may not help at all.
I plugged the radio into un-used relay spots on the fuse/relay panel.
The radio memory is plugged into #1 (upper left) location in the 3
o'clock slot - always hot.
The radio it self is plugged into the #7 (lower left) 9 o'clock slot
- switched hot.

Rob
becida@comcast.net

At  3/25/2007 09:58 AM,Ellen in Oregon wrote:
>I looked in the archives and didn't really find what I was looking for
>there.  In my '85 vanagon, the radio was connected directly to the battery
>(so it is "on" all the time unless the radio was turned off).  I purchased
>and installed a new radio and CD player, but apparently it is powered on
>even when turned off, and this has caused my battery to go dead.  I'd be
>interested in hearing how others have solved this dilemma.  Run a wire to
>something that is only powered with the key is turned to the accessory?
>What would that something be?
>
>Thanks for any insights,
>
>Ellen
>Lola, '85 Vanagon ASI