electrics Power to radio at ignition position 1

[scratchabout]

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.

 

[Vauxhall Owners Club]

I had the same problem on an Alfa Romeo Mito and I hardwired it to a permanent 12 volt supply.

However, this is okay as long as you can switch the power down via an inline switch when then doesn't drain the battery if inadvertantly left swiched on

[scratchabout]

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)

[Vauxhall Owners Club]

On most Volkswagens you have to swap a couple of wires over to get the aftermarket system to work and on the Alfa Romeo you have to join both the power and the ignition fed wires together to power the system up but that means its live all the time (e.g. when you leave the car and lock it up, etc). Thats where the switch comes in. I would only use the wires that are in place for the current audio system. Halfords sell adapter looms to fit the standard vehicle plugs and connect up to the new system

[scratchabout]

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?

[scratchabout]

Oops word 'listing' should have been 'listening'

[Vauxhall Owners Club]

I cannot think of any damage that can occur with that ignition setting - many years ago Ignition Coils would overheat if the power was left on and the contact breakers in the closed position and then the coil would leak oil

As far as I know there should be any problem with that nowadays but it doesn't take long to flatten a battery once its left on for a while with lights and numerous other possible sources of current drain.

Halfords do a fitting service if you were to buy a replacement audio setup from them along with the wiring kit and any fascia plates you would need