Turn on the radio without the key

dbarrans · 09-13-2008, 08:41 AM

I discovered a new "feature" a few days ago in my passion. I was installing my new clock/tach pods, and I happened to stumble across a way to turn on the radio without the key on.

1) Before you shut down, make sure your wiper control is set to the "auto" position, and the radio is on.
2) Shut down the car and take out the key.
3) Open the door.
4) Bump the wiper control to the off position.
5) The radio comes on. :-)

I don't know if it's supposed to do this, but I tried again the next day and it did the same thing. Yes, I'm certain I didn't mess up the wiring while installing the pods. The first time it happened was before I touched any of the wiring.

- dan

**JPaul** · 09-13-2008, 08:48 AM

As far as I know, one can turn on the radio without a key anytime. It should stay on for about 15 minutes only though... Just hit the on/off.
That's what must have happened to you.

rbtgold · 09-13-2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbarrans

I discovered a new "feature" a few days ago in my passion. I was installing my new clock/tach pods, and I happened to stumble across a way to turn on the radio without the key on.

1) Before you shut down, make sure your wiper control is set to the "auto" position, and the radio is on.
2) Shut down the car and take out the key.
3) Open the door.
4) Bump the wiper control to the off position.
5) The radio comes on. :-)

I don't know if it's supposed to do this, but I tried again the next day and it did the same thing. Yes, I'm certain I didn't mess up the wiring while installing the pods. The first time it happened was before I touched any of the wiring.

- dan

hmmmmm...all i have to do is push the on/off button and the radio pops to life (w/o key in ignition). BTW... im not sure if it makes a difference but this is the "upgrade" option radio/cd)
rbt in mke!
yellow/silver cab

Karl Roth · 09-13-2008, 09:25 AM

Is radio 9 supposed to turn on when no key is in car?
We don't get the parking lights on the US spec cars but the radio will turn on without the key if you look there is no acc position. Works with all of the cars with the stock radios can't say with the aftermarket ones but they are probably connected to the same feed as the stock ones.
karl

dbarrans · 09-13-2008, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl Roth

... the radio will turn on without the key...
karl

Hmmm. I guess I never tried that. It turns off with the key so I figured it wasn't powered in the off position.

I'm still a bit baffled that it turns on when I turn the wiper control to the off position.

- dan

wdw412 · 09-13-2008, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPaul

As far as I know, one can turn on the radio without a key anytime. It should stay on for about 15 minutes only though... Just hit the on/off.
That's what must have happened to you.

Agree!

SmartyPants25 · 09-13-2008, 12:26 PM

I was told about this feature when I picked up the car as part the grand tour of the vehicle. Its supposed to be turned on just by pressing the on button, no need to mess with the wipers. I have factory radio 9.