1995 Golf Ignition/Accessory Problem

I own a 1995 Golf III, and I've been having a very weird problem with
the ignition mechanism. I baught my Golf used, and it did not have a
radio (the owner took it out). I decided to install my own radio, but
to my surprise, when I put the key in the ignition, the radio's light
blinks then goes out. I can't get the radio on at all. I double
checked my connections, and everything was connected properly. One
thing I did I notice was, if I keep pressure on the key into the
ignition, the radio works fine. When I relieve the pressure, the radio
goes dead again.

Is this a sign of a bad ignition switch, or does it sound more like a
wiring problem related to the accessory wire? One other thing I should
note: when I start the car, the radio doesn't work either.

>From: (Sm704)
>
>I own a 1995 Golf III, and I've been having a very weird problem with
>the ignition mechanism. I baught my Golf used, and it did not have a
>radio (the owner took it out). I decided to install my own radio, but
>to my surprise, when I put the key in the ignition, the radio's light
>blinks then goes out. I can't get the radio on at all. I double
>checked my connections, and everything was connected properly. One
>thing I did I notice was, if I keep pressure on the key into the
>ignition, the radio works fine. When I relieve the pressure, the radio
>goes dead again.
>
>Is this a sign of a bad ignition switch, or does it sound more like a
>wiring problem related to the accessory wire? One other thing I should
>note: when I start the car, the radio doesn't work either.

It is possible that the ign switch is bad. You could easily try another. ;-)
Now which position is the switch in when you apply pressure and the radio comes
on?
Is the ign. switch in the 'ON' position?

FYI
I have taken the ign. switch (electric portion) out of my 91 Passat and
replaced a broken/burnt up spring inside of it with a good spring out of
another bad switch.
I also had a radio, and other electrical components, not function sometimes
before I repaired my switch.

later,
dave
Reminder........
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way,
when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their
shoes. Frieda Norris

"dave" > wrote:

<snip>

> Now which position is the switch in when you apply pressure and the radio
comes
> on?
> Is the ign. switch in the 'ON' position?


No, it's in the 'OFF' position.

>From: "Sm704"
>
>"dave" > wrote:
>
><snip>
>
>> Now which position is the switch in when you apply pressure and the radio
>comes
>> on?
>> Is the ign. switch in the 'ON' position?
>
>
>No, it's in the 'OFF' position.

Then I would suspect that you have the same problem I did with my 91 Passat
ign. switch (electrical).
I would guess that center main spring inside has broken or lost it's tension
and you have to press down on the key/lock further to make an electrical
connection.
This would cause the '
I-left-the-key-in-the-ign-switch-and-opened-the-driver's-door ' reminder buzzer
to sound and also supply power to components in the car like the radio.

Replace ign. switch (electrical) before it fails possibly leaving you stranded
somewhere.
Or at least carry a spare one with a phillips screwdriver.

I could be wrong though. <g>
Let us know what happens.
later,
dave
Reminder........
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way,
when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their
shoes. Frieda Norris