First thing you need to know is there is no 'accessory' position on a
vanagon ign switch. 

I like to be able to operate the radio with the engine not running,

And it's not so kosher to have the key on with the engine off, plus drains
more power, having the ecu powered up and all. 

 

So, I get some switch, like another heated rear window switch or whatever,
and I put it in that blank spot below the 4 way flasher switch and the
heated back window switch,

Or I just put a rocker switch in that location.............or something, and
that becomes my 'accessory or above' switch.

Because all memory radios need batt power to store stations,

Which uses no power or hardly any,

And also  needs to see power in 'accessory and ign on ' .....this switch
system give you that. 

 

It's not hard to find 'ign on' power, but doing that alone won't allow
memory storage and no display with the radio off.

They need two sources of power to be 'fully right' and to be able to run the
radio, engine off. 

IF  that's what you are trying to accomplish. 

Scott

www.turbovans.com <http://www.turbovans.com/>  

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Todd P. Last
Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2008 8:11 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Wiring radio to accessory instead of battery?

 

If you have a multimeter you can find a wire that is on with ignition only.
I forget what the wire color is, but I do know that if you test the
connections at the headlight switch you can find this.

I can look on my van  tomorrow if you want a definitive response on what
wire to piggyback on.
(You can also look at the wiring diagram in Bentley to see which are live
with the ignition on only.)

Todd (also in Oregon)
'88 Westy

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 

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