At 12:22 AM 2/24/2009, Gregory Smith wrote:
>The Vanagons also have a second, better choice in wiring a stereo to
>a switched source; it's the "key-in" wire from the ignition
>switch.  Hook your stereo non-memory wire to this wire, and the
>radio will work anytime the key is in the switch, not turned on,
>just in there.  And a paper clip even works in a jam.  This way, you
>pull the key and the radio turns off, and you can also listen to
>your stereo if you're doing other things in the van, and don't want
>to have key "on".

I'd strongly suggest using that as a signal to drive a relay -- like
all manufacturers, VWAG is a pennypincher to and beyond reasonable
limits (twenty-gauge internal wiring?  Please!  DIN themselves say it
should be at least 18-ga for mechanical reasons).  I seriously doubt
they built that switch to handle more than signal-type
currents.  That might have cost another five pfennigs per vehicle,
and that ain't hay when you're building millions.

--
David Beierl - Providence RI USA -- http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'89 Whitestar "Scamp"