new radio is draining the battery

[Alec.P]

hi, iv tried to fit a new LG CD player to my scirocco scala, it all works ok but it doesn't switch off when the ignition is off, and drains the battery over night. i know i have to probably disconnect one of the wires but im not sure what to do and would like to attempt it myself without getting help from the garage. anyone able to give me any advice on which wires to disconnect or swap? id upload a picture but cant figure out how to do that ether! would be much appreciated, thanks

[ianaudia4]

The Scirocco has a permanent live, hence why it doesn't switch off. you could take a live feed from a switched live (only works with ignition on) but you still need a perm live for memory of radio stations. It is difficult to tell you which wire without seeing a picture but you could check the handbook.

A radio memory shouldn't drain the battery overnight, is it bluetooth as well?

[fonzooorooo]

Is this a new, box-fresh radio, or an old one that's new to the car?

There's nothing you can disconnect without losing the radio station and EQ setting memory.

I had an old Clarion that I put in the polo that drained the battery in a weekend. Popped the meter in line, and it was drawing 0.4 amps, whilst switched off. Removing the face made no difference. Took it back out, binned it and popped a halfords kenwood in.

If you've got a meter, set it on amps, and pop it in line between the +ve battery terminal and the +ve lead. That'll give you the amperage draw. You'll then know if it's something on the radio you can switch off (bluetooth etc) or a weak battery (if the radio's drawing only a minute current, yet still killing the battery)

[Nate]

if you don't connect it with both switched live and permenant live, then many modern units simply won't turn off. even taking the face plate off doesn't switch them fully off. wiring it in correctly is the only way forwards

[james butler]

i had the same problem with my alpine head unit, if you look at my thread i cut the wire goin to the switched live and put a relay in it from halfords (around 8 quid)
and connected it up to relay 3 on the fuse box pin 5 i think which comes on with the key. this switches the radio on with the ignition.
cured my battery gon flat right away.

[james butler]

http://www.sciroccoregister.co.uk/carfo ... 11&t=12511

[Holdway]

Buy or borrow a test light. Turn ignition off and see which wire lights up test light. That will be permanent live. Then again with ignition on that will be ignition live. Most new cd players have the wiring diagram on the radio itself. Make sure the test light is well earthed tho

[Mr Funk]

I had exactly the same problem.

It was never properly solved (because I'm a bit lazy so just switched it so the radio had no memory)