MY83944

Sometimes my radio works, sometimes it does not. It seems related to the position of my ignition switch. I have no idea which part to replace, the mechanical switch or the electrical parts or both -
Any advise welcome. Suggestions of where to buy/prices/ect are over and above kind!
Thank you.
Steve

M758

The radio is wired through the ignition switch. I don't have the wire diagram infront of me, but there is a circuit that powers the radio in the key switch.

MY83944

Thank you!

epbrown01

Any more detail on this available somewhere? My radio turns off when I remove the key from the ignition switch, but about a week after I bought the car I discovered that sometimes the radio stays on with the key out, or comes back on after I've left. A couple of weeks ago I didn't drive the car for 4 days and returned to a weakly playing radio and a flat battery . Is the switch fixable, or do I need to replace it?

Emanuel

89magic98

Couldn't this be a malfunctioning sunroof/radio relay?

My relay failed - the radio would intermittently turn on, or not at all, or stay on.

They mixed an otherwise vanilla relay function into some kind of amplifier circuit for the sunroof. The result - the replacement cost is about $100.

I wired a normal SPST relay in parallel with the existing one, solved the problem for me.

epbrown01

My sunroof is manual. I think all 1983 944s are. And the radio has no problem being intermittent while driving or with the key in any other position, which I would expect with a bad relay. The problem only manifests in position I in the ignition switch.

Emanuel

dodondo

Assume that your relay is OK, replace the plastic connector of the ign sw (at the rear of the sw where your key goes in) you have to remove the whole ign unit (metal bracket that attach to the sterring colum. the white plastic connector is attach with 1 screw at the back. You'll see it when the whole unit is removed from the colum. Just replace mine. That's the only way to replace the plastic part on my 83. PM me if you need more detail instruction. Good luck

Hans

You may expect a worn contact unit here.
The design is based on the VW beetle, rough but not indestructible, so time might take its toll now.
If in need of diagrams:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/944/elec...l_diagrams.htm
TakeCare

epbrown01

Thanks, both of you - I suspected a worn contact of some kind. Looks like I'll be able to fix it.

Emanuel

83 TX 944

Please let us know what you come up with. My 83 won't power the radio with the key inserted anymore. Turn to on, jiggle the key a little it will work, crank motor maybe si, maybe no. I'm sceptical that it might be a relay. The funny thing is that if I start the car then power up the radio it may work for an hour or maybe 2 mins. Guess away, please.

89magic98

That relay would open and close on me intermittently while driving. Sometimes the radio would work for a week at a time. Other times it would not work for a month.

On an 83, I think the "sunroof" portion of that relay is gone, it is just a "radio relay". When you have your foot on the accelerator, the relay is directly above your right shin (not in the regular fuse/relay panel location).

There is nothing special about the radio relay - except the pinout is not standard.

robertfells

Hi guys i have a 944S 1988 sometimes i get nothing when switching on no lights nothing sometimes its fine ? and it has died on me a couple of times pull key out and in a few times and off she goes.
I assume its the ignition switch or wires behind ? please any advice would be good have checked earth on battery and general check round. Trying to sell due to Ulez by the way
located north london 84500 miles no rust or repairs

many thanks in advance

Robert

walfreyydo

https://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/elect-17.htm
http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/elect-25.htm