Help - Aftermarket stereo won’t switch off on 2011 VW Mk6

[romprestonellis]

I’ve fitted a Sony XAV AX3005DB head unit to my 2011 VW Golf MK6 to replace an old RCD 210.
All works fine other than the unit is powered on permanently when plugged in rather than switching on and off with the ignition.
The car’s wiring harness has two red/yellow cables and a brown cable which I assume is the earth. Plus wires for speakers.
It’s connected to the stereo using a harness adapter.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get it to switch on and off on the ignition?

[SS2.]

Sounds like the switched and permanent live wires (normally red & yellow) are the wrong way around.

Do you know how to use a multimeter ?

[DuraAce]

romprestonellis said:

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get it to switch on and off on the ignition?

Provide the radio with a switched ignition feed to the appropriate wire.

Your original radio isn't switched on /off via an ignition feed as its done via canbus. Your aftermarket stereo isn't canbus so it isn't working properly.

You may need to run a wire back to the fusebox to provide a correctly fused and rated supply. You could bodge it from your cig lighter wiring (if it's ignition live, some are permanent live and thus will be no good.)

Buy a multimeter. Don't assume your connections are correct. Check them properly.

[romprestonellis]

Thanks for the responses - I will buy a multimeter.
Would installing a canbus work instead of bodging the cabling?

[DuraAce]

Your car already has canbus. You can add an adapter/emulator into the radio harness to simulate the signals (if whatever adapter you already have fitted doesn't include one - it might just need wiring correctly)

I would run a wire to the fusebox. Takes ten minutes and costs nothing.

[mawallace]

I fitted this very same radio to my Polo. Same wiring and Cambus AFAIK.

You will need a control unit which links into the Canbus - otherwise it's permanently on as you say.

the unit I used for the Polo was
https://incartec.co.uk/product/VW-group-quadlock-t...

you will probably need an amplifier for the radio aerial - I used https://incartec.co.uk/product/Aerial-adapter-Fakr...

I would go on that website (or similar) and select the ones compatiaible with your version of the Golf.

[romprestonellis]

Lovely stuff, thanks all.

[jakesmith]

romprestonellis said:

I’ve fitted a Sony XAV AX3005DB head unit to my 2011 VW Golf MK6 to replace an old RCD 210.
All works fine other than the unit is powered on permanently when plugged in rather than switching on and off with the ignition.
The car’s wiring harness has two red/yellow cables and a brown cable which I assume is the earth. Plus wires for speakers.
It’s connected to the stereo using a harness adapter.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get it to switch on and off on the ignition?

Just swap the red and yellow cables over - you can not harm your car doing this they are both 12v+
Most aftermarket radio harnesses have the power cables in the loom on bullet terminals to facilitate switching like this
Very common on VAG cars to need to switch them over
If that doesn't work you just run a switched +12v from your fusebox, takes 5 mins to do with no tools needed