Radio

[prop]

The CD on my Griff only works when the ignition switch is turned on sufficiently far that the dashboard lights come on. I was taught that to leave the ignition switch in this position for any length of time was bad for the ignition coil, so currently I don't use the CD without the engine running.

Perhaps I am missing something obvious - does anyone know how to get the thing working with the ignition switch off or in position 1?

[ABBTVR]

The CD on my Griff only works when the ignition switch is turned on sufficiently far that the dashboard lights come on. I was taught that to leave the ignition switch in this position for any length of time was bad for the ignition coil, so currently I don't use the CD without the engine running.

Perhaps I am missing something obvious - does anyone know how to get the thing working with the ignition switch off or in position 1?

Hi Steve, same on my Chim mate.
You only have two options.
1) Have "radio on" only when ignition is fully on.
Or
2) Have the "radio on" in on the ignition off position, and DON'T forget to turn radio off when you get out. (Position 2 was the option I opted for)
Unfortunately there is no intermediary position like normal cars.
Hope this helps
Regards
Big Al.

[prop]

Thanks Al, but my radio won't work at all unless the ignition is fully on - all lights on dashboard lit.

I would be happy if I could get it going on the basis that I remembered to swith it off when I got out. Seems like yours may be wired a little differently. Come to think of it I am not sure what the first position on the ignition switch does if even the radio is not activated by it!!

I think my Griff is fantastic and so I am happy to delude myself that trying to listen to a CD with the engine at 4000 revs is pleasant/possible, but to be able to listen to it with the engine off so the lyrics are audible would be fun.

[ABBTVR]

prop said: Thanks Al, but my radio won't work at all unless the ignition is fully on - all lights on dashboard lit.

I would be happy if I could get it going on the basis that I remembered to swith it off when I got out. Seems like yours may be wired a little differently. Come to think of it I am not sure what the first position on the ignition switch does if even the radio is not activated by it!!

I think my Griff is fantastic and so I am happy to delude myself that trying to listen to a CD with the engine at 4000 revs is pleasant/possible, but to be able to listen to it with the engine off so the lyrics are audible would be fun.

Hi Steve, Yeh! Thinking about it there is only the on position.
But there should be another "live" wire in there somewhere that you can pick up a feed from. Have a probe around with an Avo meter and a needle.
My local Hi-Fi shop have just fitted a new mp3 player in my Chim, first off in the ignition on position, didn't like that so took it back and literally 5 minutes later they had rewired it to manual mode (off position).
Hope you get it sorted.
Regards
Big Al.

[beano1197]

Hmm!?

"They all do that, Sir"

Yes - I find that this is annoying, too. With the engine running you either can't hear for the exhaust or the interference is so great............

...........alternative is simply to only run the radio for relatively short periods and save the battery
No, I'm sorry; I don't think there is a simple answer!

[dennisthemenace]

Take your radio out , you should have 1 wire thats a constant live for memory etc and one switched live , the wire thats switched you can either join to the constant live providing the supply is man enough for the job or find another constant live to connect the switched live to , just dont forget to turn the radio off whenever you leave the car !

>> Edited by dennisthemenace on Sunday 29th December 17:45

[rbfisher]

The immobiliser cuts power to the coil/fuel pump/ECU with the ignition on 1 click so you can use the radio like that without damaging anything. The heater lights are on a relay wired through the radio ignition feed so come on also but don't take much current.

Cheers,

Richard Fisher

[prop]

Thanks - I'll try to find a supply that by-passes the ignition switch, but first I'll find out the number of the nearest audio repair shop for when I bu**er it up. Give me something mechanical and I'll have a reasonable chance of fixing it but for some reason I don't mix well with electrical systems. It's so much easier to fix something that moves!!

Steve.