OK to leave ignition in ON position without engine running?

[Wulf]

Is it ok to leave the ignition in ON position for some time without the engine running? I am installing an aftermarket head unit and this is the only way it is able to get power. With the stock Saab head unit, you can listen to the radio for up to an hour in the ignition OFF position before it switches off automatically.

It looks like this doesn't work on aftermarket units. I guess my only other option is to wire the always-on battery connection to the ignition-switched wire on the head unit. Not a big deal really, just have to remember to switch off the unit whenever you turn off the car.

NO it is not good to do this. It even states this in the manual. If you must listen to the radio with the engine off and you don't have a stock radio, wire it directly to a 12 V source.

[kemosaabey]

was a bad thing in the old days with points, the coil could overheat...Still modern cars probably have other issues.

[Wulf]

Thanks for the quick responses. I figured it probably isn't a good idea. Maybe a better solution would be to add an extra wire with a switch from the always-on battery connection to the ignition-switched wire so you can just flip the switch when you need it.

[bkrell]

Um, in both my saabs, with the switch on or off, I can't keep my radio on for much over 5 minutes or the battery drains!


What causes that, while we're on the subject??? Never seen it in another car.

Originally Posted by bkrell

Um, in both my saabs, with the switch on or off, I can't keep my radio on for much over 5 minutes or the battery drains!


What causes that, while we're on the subject??? Never seen it in another car.

How old is the battery? I can keep mine on for hours. Sounds like a bad cell in the battery or something else is draining the battery.

[gghh]

Bad Battery, Bad Voltage Regulator or a Megawatt Amplifier

But battery is very likely....

[bkrell]

No, it's regardless of battery. It will happen to me with a brand new battery. It was always the same way with my NG900. It's why I always carry one of those booster packs with me.

Now that this thread is officially highjacked, check your voltage. It should be about 12V when the enigne is off, at the battery, and 14 volts when the engine is running. If it remains at 12 volts when running, your alternator is history otherwise something is drawing a heck of a lot of current.

[bkrell]

I believe it runs in the 13.8 range when on. But every one of my batteries runs down very quick....I figured maybe it's a loose ground or something somewhere???


As for the threadjack, Wulfie got his answer already!

Very strange that all of your batteries do this in different cars. I'm at a loss

[Wulf]

Originally Posted by bkrell

As for the threadjack, Wulfie got his answer already!

Exactly, talk about whatever you want!

Originally Posted by Wulf

Exactly, talk about whatever you want!

Gotta love this site. We have people from MI, PA and LA helping each other while we all should be working .