Re: 200q Radio replacement done

[SOP8920@Siena.edu]

Osman Parvez <SOP8920@Siena.edu> wrote:

>(3) The Audi didn't have a switched 12v wire in the harness. I wired it to the
>constant lead, as per recommendation, and now have a radio that always stays
>mostly illuminated. I'm gonna have to run one from the fuse box. If
>anybody can
>help here.. I'd really appreciate it.

Our friend Tom wrote:
>>Hmmm... doesn't your stereo have a detachable face plate? Mine does, and
>>therefore I don't care if the illumination's on all the time. I prefer my
>>stereo to keep playing whenever I'm waiting for someone in a parking lot,
>>with the engine/ignition off. If you specifically don't want that, I'd look
>>for some piece of equipment in your car that _doesn't_ work with the
>>ignition off, like the cigarette lighter in some cars, and take the power
>>from there. This only works if you have a low-powered stereo, because the
>>wiring may not be able to handle higher loads.

>>The alternative is getting your workshop manual out and trying to make
>>sense of the wiring spaghetti at the ignition switch...

>>HTH,

>>Tom

Hi Tom,
       It does have a detachable face-plate. I have been (since yesterday) and
will continue to remove the face-place when I leave the car, since that is what
it is designed for. However, since I am often in areas of extremely low-crime,
where it may be more convienent to just leave the face-plate in there. 
Therefore, the most convienent option would be to have a switched ignition 
lead to the receiver. 
        Driving around last night I realized that I have another problem. The
wiring harness and diagrams I got with the receiver didn't give me a lead for
the dimmer switch. I simply taped off the dimmer lead from the receiver. At
night time, the stereo is extremely bright. I'd like this to be resolved if
possible. 
        Does anybody know if there is a dimmer switch lead in the OEM wiring
harness? There were many wires which were left unconnected and I'm fairly
certain that one of them should be a dimmer. I know that many of them are
probably the OEM connection to the lCD dashboard display. Is there a simple way
to test them to find the dimmer switch. I have access to a volt-meter and could
play around, but don't want to damage anything. 
        I can live with having to detach the face-plate all the time, but I'm
not sure if I can live with my car looking like something out of science
fiction at night. IT sounds great though.. :)
        Tom, did I read that you are coming over for the Mt. Washington and
Pike's Peak events? How are you arranging transportation? Let me know if I can
be of assistance. 

                               -Osman Parvez
                                89 200q (158K miles)
                                Siena College
                                Albany NY