re
"There is no "Accessory" position so having the key switch turn off the
radio means no
radio while waiting or camping with the engine off."

that's true, and I wire my radios to work with the key off...
which means you have to be sure to turn the radio off every time you park
the van.

but ....there is a 'cheater way'.
I read about this on this list perhaps ....pretty clever.
and that is to use the 'key is in the ignition'  function to control radio
power.
you know, the old key buzzer circuit.

I wouldn't think drawing much power through that circuit would be smart, but
using it with a relay for radio control is great.
that way, you can have engine off and radio on, you just need to have the
key inserted, but not turned at all.

just don't do some dumb radio wiring - I have seen LOTS of that !
..................like get power from the wrong place, and fry a ground
connection at the instrument cluster for example- stuff like that.   Don't
do that. Do good careful work.

Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Hargrave" <thargrav@HIWAAY.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2010 9:49 AM
Subject: Re: Radio stays on

>I suggest pulling the radio out and seeing what's in the cavity behind. I
> suspect that you will find the original power feed cut and another wire
> going to "who knows where" spliced into its place.
>
> Thanks,
> Tom Hargrave
> 256-656-1924
>
> Our Web Sites:
> www.kegkits.com
> www.stir-plate.com
> www.andyshotsauce.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of
> Dennis Haynes
> Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2010 10:53 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Radio stays on
>
> Vanagons never had the radio wired to the ignition switch. There is no
> "Accessory" position so having the key switch turn off the radio means no
> radio while waiting or camping with the engine off.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Mark A Kippert
> Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2010 10:09 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Radio stays on
>
> For a year and a half I've never used the radio because I needed the code.
> It's always been turned off. Last week I was lucky enough to get the code
> to
> my radio from a previous owner of the van (not the guy I bought it from).
> After applying the code the radio works. However, when I turned the van
> off,
> and removed the key, the radio continues to play. I emailed the PO to see
> if
> he may have direct wired the radio but haven't heard back. The radio is VW
> but doesn't fit all the way into the dash (sticks out about a quarter
> inch).
>
> Is this likely to be a bad ignition switch? I'm wondering if that could
> also
> relate to poor headlights and heater blower issues.
>
> Mark K
> 1986 GL/2WD/4SPD