I believe there is a good write up on this 'no key/no radio' mod, at :
http://www.vanagonauts.com/Radio-Power-From-Key-in-Circuit222.htm
Miguel

'In heaven all the interesting people are missing.'
  - Friedrich Nietzsche

On Sun, Jan 31, 2010 at 9:07 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
> This works really good for many aftermarket radios where the key switch is
> just for a trigger and there is a separate power wire.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Scott Daniel - Turbovans
> Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2010 4:07 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Radio stays on - a clever trick for a fake Accessory Position
>
> 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
>