scratchabout

Finally got to Halfords... They have an 'ISO Harness CT20VX04' for aftermarket radio in a 05-10 Meriva. It will take power as per the factory fitted radio. It does not connect to the steering wheel controls. Costs £25. As commented in the original post I already have an aftermarket radio and the steering wheel controls operate the radio. Halfords person suggested splicing the current red power cable to one that provides power to the fuse/cable that runs the windows, sunroofs and wing mirrors. Could not see any issue with a further 5amp load on the fuse. That is the route I had in mind but had concerns about the 'Body Control Module'. Seems the concerns are unfounded. One day I will get to play around with the wires in the car :0) Thank you for your input.

Ah the good old days of points and the ignition coil :0) I'll have a chat with Halfords. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Oops word 'listing' should have been 'listening'

Perhaps I am looking at this the from the wrong perspective and creating a problem. Apart from battery charge being depleted what potential damage can be caused by listing to the radio with the ignition key in position 2 with the engine dash lights on?

Hi There, Fair idea. Its inadvertently left switched on which concerns me... when a young boy in the last century I did similar with a car. Think I found away via the cable to the cigarette lighter, power was cut when the key taken out of ignition. Unfortunately the Meriva lighter only gets power at 2nd position of the key. Don't understand enough about the impact of additional current being pulled from an existing cable such as the one that puts power to the roof/windows. Looks like there are some unused slots in the passage compartment fuse box. Perhaps I can find one of them which gets power in position one an run a line to that. Not sure if that will blow up the body control unit. oops :0)

With all previous cars I have had power goes to radio at key 1st position. In my Meriva A power only goes to the radio when ignition key is a 2nd position and all the ignition lights are on. Not a status I wish to leave the car in when listening to the radio whilst pulled up for a short time. The car had a Clarion CZ fitted when I bought it, works well and the steering controls function correctly. Have found at ignition position 1 windows, sunroofs and wing mirrors have power. How can I get power to the radio at the same time that it goes to the windows, sunroofs and wing mirrors? Splice the radio power line to another cable? I have wiring diagram for the car and a small amount of knowledge about electrics. Also practile abilities. Am old enough to accept that my knowledge is enough to create dangerous unintended consequences... Any advice/guidance much appreciated.