Turning on the headlights turns off the radio!

Post by **Atlantic** » 18 Jul 2008, 14:51

I've just attempted to install a blaupunkt radio in my 1990 VW Westfalia Atlantic. the wiring has been hacked about by previous owners. I've patched on to the radio connector as per the instructions. However, the unit does not, as it should do, turn on and off with the ignition.

It does however turn on and off when you turn the headlights on! Obviously a bit suspect.

Any clues or ideas about why this might be happening?

Thanks

Post by **tonytech** » 18 Jul 2008, 15:09

Sounds like the main feed is connected to the headlight circuit, rather than a ignition switched live.

Some radios have a connection to the lighting circuit so that the display dims at night.

Brown wires are earth 0v
T

Post by **Atlantic** » 18 Jul 2008, 15:16

Thanks Tony.

Thing is, there doesn't appear to be a switched 12v. I had the following available: brown; 2 red; blue/grey; from what i can understand the blue/grey feeds from the instrument panel illumination; the brown is earth and the two reds are permantent 12v which feed back to the digital clock...

I seem to be lacking a further lead from the ignition.

Thanks, Fiona

Post by **kevtherev** » 18 Jul 2008, 15:58

Hi atlantic
does your van have a second battery or "leisure" battery? under the the seat

Post by **Atlantic** » 18 Jul 2008, 16:01

Hello

Yes, i have a leisure battery.

Fi

Post by **kevtherev** » 18 Jul 2008, 16:24

May I suggest then, you consider connecting the radio to this battery.... with a new power feed.
reasons are...
your radio will probably require a supply to it for it's memory.
being able to use it with the engine off

.. all this and no drain from the starter battery, so you can leave it on as long as you want

one wire and a fuse all available from halfords

Post by **Atlantic** » 18 Jul 2008, 16:26

Hello Kev

This sounds like an excellent solution!

Thanks loads, Fi

Post by **kevtherev** » 18 Jul 2008, 16:28

welcome to the forum Fi

Post by **jamesc76** » 18 Jul 2008, 17:04

Just to inform you i read mockis post ref fitting a radio and these vans dont have a switched feed to the stereo!!!

Post by **Atlantic** » 19 Jul 2008, 08:46

Ah ha. That's why i can't find one then...

Found a very useful post on the Brick-yard forum relating to this item.

The suggestion there, as above, is to run the 12v from the leisure battery rather than the starter battery.

Here's a how-to guide.

http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/forum ... ?TID=11446

Hasten to add, I haven't tried this. not sure learning on the job should apply to auto-electrics...

Thanks, Fi

Post by **jamesc76** » 19 Jul 2008, 12:16

As long as you act safely you'll be ok dont connect anything to the battery till your happy and remeber if going to run it off the les. battery put a fuse in the line as close to the battery as you can that way if you get it wrong you wont send the lot up in smoke!!!

Post by **Atlantic** » 19 Jul 2008, 13:52

Thanks for the encouragement!

Having looked now at the back of the fuse box, my question is how do i determine which is the 12v feed for the circuit which controls radio/interior lights etc?

Its a birds nest back there...

Thanks, Fi

Post by **Mocki** » 19 Jul 2008, 14:12

fuse 3 on the late fusebox....

turn int light on, remove fuse, light goes off......

you initial problem sounded like no earthing.

Post by **Atlantic** » 19 Jul 2008, 15:44

Thanks Steve.

I can see that it's fuse 3 but not sure how the 12v power gets to this position - there are no leads directly behind that fuse position.

If i want to use 12v from the leisure battery, rather than from the starter battery, then it seems to me i need to swap the 12v lead to this circuit.

Does this make any sense at all????

Fi

Post by **Atlantic** » 20 Jul 2008, 17:38

Update:

Thanks to various threads and responses I have taken my first step in auto-electrics.

I have now modified the power to the radio and interior lights by running a lead from the leisure battery (with an in-line 15amp fuse) to the radio/in lights circuit. No more flat starter battery!

Highly recommended!