| Author |
Message |
Stockholm VW
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2020
Posts: 304
|
 Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:03 pm Post subject: Radio always hot? |
 |
|
The radio in my 66 bug is always hot wired. If I leave it on (with volume on or off) it drains the battery. Even with key out. I thought the radio was supposed to go through ignition.
Does it not?
Last edited by Stockholm VW on Fri Aug 07, 2020 7:58 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Glenn 
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 76940
Location: Sneaking up behind you
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:08 pm Post subject: Re: Radio always hot? |
|
|
Welcome to VWs.
that's the way they were done from the factory.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
60ragtop
Bonneville Belt Bitch
Joined: March 13, 2006
Posts: 7800
Location: Big Wonderful WYO 82401
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:20 pm Post subject: Re: Radio always hot? |
|
|
Shouldn't run the battery down when the radio is off. You can change the wire so it is off with the key.
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986
| tasb wrote: |
I've restored a large number too, but I don't toot my horn quite as loud.
|
| sb001 wrote: |
maybe he just snapped cause his car sucked  |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stockholm VW
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2020
Posts: 304
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:46 pm Post subject: Re: Radio always hot? |
|
|
| Glenn wrote: |
Welcome to VWs.
that's the way they were done from the factory. |
Thanks! I guess I just need to remember. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stockholm VW
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2020
Posts: 304
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:48 pm Post subject: Re: Radio always hot? |
|
|
| 60ragtop wrote: |
| Shouldn't run the battery down when the radio is off. You can change the wire so it is off with the key. |
No, not when it’s off, but if I turn volume down and leave it in overnight. ☹️👎
Like I said, just gotta remember. Or Like you said, have an auto-electrical tech wire it through ignition. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Glenn
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 76940
Location: Sneaking up behind you
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:57 pm Post subject: Re: Radio always hot? |
|
|
| Stockholm VW wrote: |
| Or Like you said, have an auto-electrical tech wire it through ignition. |
It's just a matter move moving the wire on the fuse panel to a keyed hot. Should take about 10 seconds
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 31379
Location: Hot Arizona
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 7:00 pm Post subject: Re: Radio always hot? |
|
|
I'm second-owner of both my 1970 and 1971; both had dealer installed radios. The 1970 was wired "always hot" and the 1971 was wired "switched hot".
But easy to switch over.
Modern stereos typically have a switched red wire with inline fuse and an "always hot" yellow wire for clock and station memory.
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Eric&Barb
Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004
Posts: 24764
Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 2:06 pm Post subject: Re: Radio always hot? |
|
|
If you need to turn the radio down, just turn it off.
If you have the radio on, leave it turned up enough to hear it easily with the engine turned off.
_________________
In Stereo, Where Available! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stockholm VW
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2020
Posts: 304
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 3:37 pm Post subject: Re: Radio always hot? |
|
|
| Eric&Barb wrote: |
If you need to turn the radio down, just turn it off.
If you have the radio on, leave it turned up enough to hear it easily with the engine turned off. |
Good idea. I guess I just have to “relearn”. LOL |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Eric&Barb
Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004
Posts: 24764
Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 3:59 pm Post subject: Re: Radio always hot? |
|
|
| Stockholm VW wrote: |
Good idea. I guess I just have to “relearn”. LOL |
We have faith in you! 
Being able to turn off the engine and turn on the radio without frying the points (key turned to "Run" position with engine off can do that) is worth relearning.
_________________
In Stereo, Where Available! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
67 Florida Deluxe
Samba Purist
Joined: June 21, 2005
Posts: 7987
Location: Gainesville and Tampa, Florida
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 3:59 pm Post subject: Re: Radio always hot? |
|
|
| Stockholm VW wrote: |
| Eric&Barb wrote: |
If you need to turn the radio down, just turn it off.
If you have the radio on, leave it turned up enough to hear it easily with the engine turned off. |
Good idea. I guess I just have to “relearn”. LOL |
I had to learn that the hard way, too  ! 
_________________
-Kent (BaT "daleallen")
OG member of the '67 Posse
A few of my toys, past and present
'56 Oval, '66 KG Conv't, '67 21-Window, '67 Bug, '79 SuperVert, '55 Pre-A Continental |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stockholm VW
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2020
Posts: 304
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 4:22 pm Post subject: Re: Radio always hot? |
|
|
| 67 Florida Deluxe wrote: |
| Stockholm VW wrote: |
| Eric&Barb wrote: |
If you need to turn the radio down, just turn it off.
If you have the radio on, leave it turned up enough to hear it easily with the engine turned off. |
Good idea. I guess I just have to “relearn”. LOL |
I had to learn that the hard way, too ! |
I know, right? 🤪 Thanks. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stockholm VW
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2020
Posts: 304
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 4:24 pm Post subject: Re: Radio always hot? |
|
|
| Eric&Barb wrote: |
| Stockholm VW wrote: |
Good idea. I guess I just have to “relearn”. LOL |
We have faith in you!
Being able to turn off the engine and turn on the radio without frying the points (key turned to "Run" position with engine off can do that) is worth relearning. |
This is good to know. Learning new stuff every day in this forum. 👍 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Eric&Barb
Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004
Posts: 24764
Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 4:28 pm Post subject: Re: Radio always hot? |
|
|
| Stockholm VW wrote: |
This is good to know. Learning new stuff every day in this forum. 👍 |
After over three decades with these ACVWs, and over 400,000 miles between us driving them, STILL LEARNING new stuff.
_________________
In Stereo, Where Available! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
EverettB
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69827
Location: Phoenix Metro
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 4:40 pm Post subject: Re: Radio always hot? |
|
|
This is not stock but I've seen a few VWs where they left it hooked to "Hot" but set up a separate on/off switch.
So you don't burn up the points but don't have to mess with the on/off volume turning either.
Or find and install an era-correct Blaupunkt - they have a push on/off on the volume knob.
_________________
How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Wayne S. Johnson
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006
Posts: 1265
Location: GILROY, CA
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
