Date:         Thu, 24 Feb 2005 20:00:35 -0500
Reply-To:     caverat <caverat@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         caverat <caverat@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Stereo wiring question
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I took off the cover of the steering wheel column and using the Bentley manual wiring diagram as a guide, tapped the radio's switch on red wire into the wire below the key assembly that becomes hot when the key is placed into the ignition switch and moves the key hole cover.  I think it controls the seat belt warning or something like that.  If I forget to turn off the radio, the power is cut when I take the key out.  If I'm not going anywhere but want to listen to it, I put the key in the ignition switch and the radio has power.  The yellow wire went to some always hot source near the fuse box.  It works well for me.  I originally wired it up like you did without all of the warnings.  I thought turning the radio off would keep me fine.  I didn't think of removing the faceplate.  After replacing a dead battery the next day I went with the approach I described. 

caverat


i'm not as clever as don- i connected both the red and yellow wires from
the stereo to the red battery wire.  this way, my stereo always has full
power.  i make sure to turn it off and remove the faceplate when i'm out
of the car so i don't run the battery down.  i have the word "BATTERY"
written in red letters on a yellow background next to the ignition, so i
always remember to turn everything off.  headlight relay is my next
move.