Date:         Mon, 17 Jun 2002 13:15:20 -0500
Reply-To:     Andrew.Yarnell@KIMLEY-HORN.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andy Yarnell <Andrew.Yarnell@KIMLEY-HORN.COM>
Subject:      Radio Wiring circuit draining battery???
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Attention wiring Gurus:
 
I have searched the archives extensively, and did not see a similar
problem discussed in the past, so...
 
When I bought my 1987 Wolfy GL, the PO disclosed this problem: the radio
drains the battery, so he just disconnected the hot wire from the radio
(why not the ground?) Oh well, I knew the time would come to fix this,
but I am not sure what exactly is going on. I have the diagnosis sheet
the PO got from his mechanic. Alternator is working fine, but they
figured out the radio circuit is the culprit by removing the fuse (which
also has the clock and interior lighting). I am getting sick of removing
this fuse every time I park the Van.
 
I can not find any hack job wiring for the radio, other than some added
speaker wire in the back.
 
I discarded the Jensen tape deck that came with the van, and installed
my Alpine CD deck (I have installed a dozen or more stereos in my day,
so I know what I am doing) I figured the PO had just not wired the
stereo correctly. Well the Alpine was fine for over a month, then all of
a sudden the battery is completely drained. I can start it with a jump,
but the battery does not get enough of a charge to restart the engine. 
 
The battery was new about a year ago, but I have never heard of the
manufacturer, and so I have no faith in it, and has probably been
totally discharged several times in it's short life. I replaced the
battery with a Sears battery I had in my '73 Bug that is in restoration
right now. The Van fired right up with the new battery (this battery had
been sitting in my garage for 6 months!) The old battery has 660 CCA,
and the Sears battery has 540 CCA, but turns the starter with no
problems.
 
Any ideas?
I know the radio connection is always hot (Just like my GTI), but why is
it draining the battery when the radio has been turned off, and face
plate removed?
 
Thanks in advance.
 
Andy Yarnell
1987 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Edition
1992 VW GTi 8v - FOR SALE
1973 Bug
Lakewood, CO