Is the stock radio wired live. i.e. can be turned on engine off key out?

My GLi's got a stock RS3355 Volvo radio in it from '88. It's not wired live, i.e. it doesn't work with the ignition off.

My other car's got a retro-fit '90s Grundig. That stays on all the time. I prefer the "turns off with the ignition" version, in case I drain the battery by mistake ...

Tom

I'm pretty sure mine was,
As I recall it only had 5 wires, +12v, earth, left and right positives, and a common ground for the speakers.

I had to do some surgery to fit an aftermarket radio with switched ignition!

Depends which stock radio you have Both mine were different, one from an 89 the other from a 91, and the 91 would continue playing whilst the 89 would switch off. Both permanent and switched lives are there, so its down to the headunit!

I c. So it depends on whether it's been connected using an adaptor or cut.

i dont want ot steal the thread but can someone tell me what the best way to wire a stereo in from scratch?

i need a live, a earth and then speaker wires but after that im thick.

can i run a fused wire straight from the battery?

Ricatron wrote:i dont want ot steal the thread but can someone tell me what the best way to wire a stereo in from scratch?

i need a live, a earth and then speaker wires but after that im thick.

can i run a fused wire straight from the battery?

yes fused live from the battery and an earth(although the earth can go to the bulkhead but its better going back to the battery in this case. then speaker wires. and thats bassically it if you want a switched live take it from the cigerette lighter.

My previous Mk3 GLTS were originally connected to the switched power source from the ignition key, My Mk2 was connected direct to the battery.

Whenever I install a headunit I always modify the wiring to an uninterrupted current from the battery so I can listen to music with my ignition switched off.

I usually wire mine up direct from the battery for the same reason as Ronnie.

as he says you can then listen to the radio when parked up

also because I have been told that if you leave the ignition on without the engine running for a long time it can damage the coil or renix

There's usally two live inputs into a head unit - one via the ignition for operation, and another straight from the battery so the uit remembers its code, radio presets etc. I often just connect both these wires from the head unit to the same direct battery feed. The earth wire is obviously the same for both these live supplies.

Minor note, cigarette lighter on a 300 is constantly live, I normally nick a switched feed (as I always relay it, not directly draw current from it) from the rear wash feed nearby as it's the easiest to reach and connect to!

Chris_C wrote:Minor note, cigarette lighter on a 300 is constantly live, I normally nick a switched feed (as I always relay it, not directly draw current from it) from the rear wash feed nearby as it's the easiest to reach and connect to!

Didnt know that:) so yeah any switched live will do.