Hi all.

I've read dozens of threads about providing a switched live to your upgraded stereo.

Most of those seem to focus on picking up a live from the ignition switch. As I see it the drawback of this solution is that when you turn the engine off, the stereo goes off as well.

There are times when you want to sit in the car, with the engine off, but still be able to listen to the radio etc. I would also prefer to have the cigar lighter socket on an accessory connection so anything plugged into it isn't powered when the key is out.

Modern cars have an ACC - accessory position on the ignition switch, just before the ignition ON position that allows for running various ancillary bits of kit without having the ignition itself on.

On my Felicia there are four key positions - 1st is where the key is inserted, 2nd is marked '0' where nothing happens, 'I' brings the ignition on and 'II' cranks the starter.

So, with the key at position '0' is a live put on any of the other contacts in the switch? I have seen pics of two versions of the switch - one with three connectors and one with five. The switch with three connectors shows two blanked off - what are these? What are the extra two on a switch with five contacts?

The Haynes manual is no help as it doesn't describe the functionality of the switch and the wiring diagrams show five contacts, but not all of them connected.

My guess is that a switch with five connectors has an accessory position at '0', but without taking mine out to see (which looks to be a sod of a job) I can't tell.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

Thanks all.

P.

no there is not you only have it when lights are on dash you need to find in fuse box for this a felicia does have a switch on when keys are out thats what 0 is for to turn this off this is good for a flashing led

Edited 7 October, 201213 yr by uma1998

no there is not you only have it when lights are on dash you need to find in fuse box for this a felicia does have a switch on when keys are out thats what 0 is for to turn this off this is good for a flashing led

Not quite sure I understand what you're saying there, Uma1998 - can you explain, please?

Thanks

P.

I visited a car breaker today to get some bits to sort out the non-functioning passenger door lock.

One Felicia I looked at had had its dashboard removed, exposing the ignition lock and switch, so I took the opportunity to remove the switch for closer examination.

When I got it home I used a multimeter to see what happened at the various terminals in the different switch positions. I couldn't find one that had power on when the ignition was off, unfortunately.

Next I opened the switch up carefully - mindful of another post that talked about springs flying out all over the place.

The mysterious terminal P was the one I hoped could become an accessory power output, but as far as I could tell it is never contacted - the terminal was clean and untouched and I couldn't see how the rotor would ever contact it, so not sure why it was ever part of the switch. The rotor would have to be a different shape.

I had a 52 Smart whose radio was always live because there was no accessory position on the ignition.

So, unfortunately, it seems pretty clear there really is no way to get the radio to stay on when the engine is switched off, and to turn on and off automatically with the key, except to have it permanently powered and to switch it on and off manually.

P.

i dont fully understand it all, but remember reading on here when changing my HU, that you can wire in a switched live from the sidelight switch.

dont know if this will make it on/off with ignition (like dipped beams do)?

otherwise beware your battery doesnt slowly get drained. many modern head units dont turn off fully rather sort of standby. i get around this by popping off the removable front

On my felly I overcame this by simply getting a another sidelight switch (any dash switch will do) and putting it at the opposite end where a blank would be.

I can turn radio on and off when needed with no hassle. Just remembering it is the hardest part!!

Lee

It's not an elegant solution because you still have to remember to do it, but hey ho!

Had a brainwave - went to a scrappie and got a sidelight switch for £3 and fitted that in one of the spare switch ports on the dash.

Picked up live from the live feed to the existing sidelight switch, then connected grey/green wire from the 'new' switch to the red wire on my Kenwood stereo (ie the wire that would be live at the ACC position if the ignition had one). Bingo - nice on/off switch that looks just like all the others.

Other wires are redundant unless you want to light the switch, but I was worried about backfeeding to the sidelights so left it.

Used a Brother P-Touch label printer to print a little label with a single musical note on it to cover the sidelight symbol.

Job done.

My 1998 1.3mpi has bosch factory fitted radio/cassette which works independent of ignition and always has - wish my ranger was the same!