Hi Folks

When i bought my VRS i never checked the stereo

The stereo is this one...

and is fitted with a CD changer in the boot.

Problem was that the changer wouldnt work and the head unit didnt light up :thumbdwn:

I took the headunit out and one of the 'plugs' wasn't connected so i plugged that in and now the changer works perfectly!

But it still won't light up when you turn the lights on and the rest of dash lights up:confused:

BTW when you lock the car up the round 'direction' button does flash red!

Also the stereo has to be manually turned on and off...is this right?:confused:

Thanks for any advice guys

Radio only lights up when you turn it on and the sidelights are on.

When you remove the key from the ignition it should turn off, but you can turn it on again manually by pressing the power button on and off.

The red flashing light can also be turned off if you like, have a look in the instruction manual.

Will flash red when you lock the car.

Probably a bulb failure in the head unit. Not sure when you can fix that? might be sealed.

head unit will turn on - if you left it on when you got out only when you turn the key to first point or turn the engine on. You can also turn the stereo on by pushing the main knob down and then again bringing it back out - without key in ignition or engine on.

There not that dear on ebay but not sure about the coding issues this fix might have

Sounds to me like the car has had a different radio fitted and the original has not been refitted correctly.

The standard unit should turn off with the ignition and it should illuminate.. My guess is that the switched live is either not connected, or connected incorrectly, and the same goes for the illumination feed.

thanks for the replies guys

I've removed the head unit and into the back is...

• the ariel connection
  
• 1 plug from the changer
  
• 2 other plugs
  

should there be anything else?!

if not it must be one of the wires that run into the plugs?

I'm guessing one is the power, earth, memory, illumintaion, etc and the is to the speakers?

Suppose if this is correct its a case of finding out which does which by un plugging one! then checking each wire?!

Thanks again for your help

Sounds like all plugs are present.

This diagram shows how they should be set out. Thanks to the guy on UKMKIV's who produced the diagram.

wow, massive help!

looks like i'll be checking wires 4 and 6 in the bottom plug tomorrow then!

cheers

Just look for any signs of tampering with the main wiring loom, it should be fairly obvious.