In the Dobbie handbook, it says never leave the ignition on with the engine not running for long periods. Why is this?

Also, I fitted a JVC CD player (even I could do it, just plugged it in).
It's memorised the radio stations that I've set, but all the other settings reset themselves when I turn the ignition off, like volume, bass etc. and you can't have it on when the ignition is off. So I can't listen to a CD if I'm waiting for someone in the car with the ignition off, it's really annoying.
Is there a way of having the CD player on with ignition off without wiring the radio directly to the battery?

After about two years with Mrs O's Doblo, we have discovered that when you turn the ignition off, you can restart the radio by pushing the 'ON' button. Still loses the settings, however, and I don't know whether this would work with an after-market installation.

Thanks Obadiah, I didn't know that, I'm off to try it now. Do you lose the settings in the Fiat radio too? I only had the original radio in for about a week after buying the car so I didn't get to play with it much. I've been on the verge of putting it back in, just so I can listen to the radio while sitting in tescos car park.

Just tried and it didn't work , must only work with the fiat radio.

i took mine to motorworld cost me £23 all sorted now. they'll tell u if it can be done on yours. worth a shot pal! :slayer:

Thanks for that mate. I know a local auto electrical specialist but he's pricey so I'd like to sort it myself if poss.

RichDoblo120 said:

In the Dobbie handbook, it says never leave the ignition on with the engine not running for long periods. Why is this?

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I believe its because the ignition coils become charged. when the engine is running, the coils discharge to the sparkplugs, but obviously dont when the engine isnt running, so they can burn out.
Also having the ignition on arms the fuel pump, so can't imagine it'd do that much good if its not pumping the fuel to anywhere.

Thanks Xen but mine's a Diesel. I should've said in the original post.

It shouldn't affect a Diesel as much as a Petrol.

What you need to do to sort out your memory problem is swap over the red and yellow power wire. So the red goes into the yellow and vice versa. I had to do this on mine, and in work have to do it on a lot of cars.

The easiest way to wire it on permanently (not that it's needed I keep my ignition on and I haven't had a problem yet) is to disconnect the ignition live and put a wire from the ignition live on the radio to the permanent live wire on the radio. Make sure you disconnect the ignition live wire going to the car or your radio will power the ignition circuit.

That's excellent Ozzie, it tells me everything i need to know. I got my radio from Halfords in Frome, I wish they'd told me about this when I bought it.

They won't tell you unless you have it fitted - plus a lot of the time you don't know yourself until you go to fit it into a car. You can put 2 KA's next to each other they'll both be different - they have to be the worst for swapping over the power feeds, it's as if Ford used 2 different looms!

Actually, I've had a quick look and I think I'll leave it to an expert. I'm ok with electrics on a BSA Bantam but modern electrics are scary. Ignition switches used to be just an on-off switch, now they're linked to all kinds of gizmos and gadgets .

RichDoblo120 said:

Actually, I've had a quick look and I think I'll leave it to an expert. I'm ok with electrics on a BSA Bantam but modern electrics are scary. Ignition switches used to be just an on-off switch, now they're linked to all kinds of gizmos and gadgets .

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I like the BSA Bantam touch, my first bike in 66'

Rich it's easy - in the wiring the came with your stereo you'll see that there are 2 bullet connectors on the red and yellow wires. Just swap them over. The worst you can do is loose all your radio presets when you turn the stereo on, it won't do any damage.

If you want send me a picture of the wiring and I'll write out what to do!

topcat5 said:

I like the BSA Bantam touch, my first bike in 66'

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I've never owned one but I've ridden a few. Not the best bike I've ridden. I used to have an A10 Goldfish and I had a Panther M100 as well. The Panther was solo when I bought it so I thought it better have a sidecar, even though I'd never ridden a combo before. Big mistake. Fitted it myself but it wasn't set up right. I ended wrapped round the front of parked car. Wrote the Panther off, sold it as spares. That was the end of my sidecarring exploits. It was after that the missus persuaded me to pass my driving test and get a car. I've had loads of Jap bikes and an MZ too. No bike at the moment.

I'll have another look Ozzie, if I can't see what you mean I'll take some pics, Thanks mate.

Oz... you're a genius
Just as you said. Swapped the red for the yellow and it's memorised all the settings. Can I nominate you for Halfords employee of the month ?