For those who have installed the Continental Radio....a wiring question

[billh1963]

I am replacing an aftermarket Pioneer radio in my '85 targa with the Continental unit.

The installer made quite a mess when installing the previous radio (house wiring nuts and electrical tape). However, I am working through that and am soldering my new harness and using shrink tubing.

I have the yellow wire connected to the A7 pin as shown in the pinout. I have confirmed that it is powered all the time.

I have the ignition wire (red) connected to A4. I have confirmed that it is only powered when the ignition is on.

The Illumination line is wired to A6 and works correctly and A8 is grounded.

Now, I have a question...

When I plug the harness in to test the radio, I can turn the radio on with the ignition key off. When I start the car and the car is running, the radio also turns on and off as it should. I thought that the purpose of the constant power line was to keep the radio settings and the ignition wire actually turns the radio on and off. However, using the pinout shown the radio can be turned on even with the ignition off.

Am I misunderstanding something? Could the pinout be wrong?

[G50]

I have that same radio, same instructions.

You have it wired wrong.

[spedrcr]

As I read your post, I would describe the radio as being "hot". This is how my 1993 Audi S4 is with it's factory radio.

I'm not sure I understand what your concern is but i wanted to jump in as I'll be doing this same radio install on my '87 targa soon. Correct me if I'm wrong but do you want the radio to turn off when you turn off the ignition/car as if you were parking? Is your concern you might leave the radio on and drain the battery?

I have found that I enjoy the "hot" radio in my Audi as I can listen to the radio without having anything else on or key in. It has become habit to just turn everything off, HVAC, lights and radio before I turn off the car. Same goes for my targa.

Looking forward to your response.

[guli]

The system setting "Logic" controls if you can turn on the unit when the ingition is off.

From the manual:

Logic ON/Logic OFF
Logic ON to limit the use of the set to one hour when the car ignition is switched off.Logic OFF to prevent the set from turning on, when the car ignition is switched off.

[billh1963]

Originally Posted by spedrcr

As I read your post, I would describe the radio as being "hot". This is how my 1993 Audi S4 is with it's factory radio.

I'm not sure I understand what your concern is but i wanted to jump in as I'll be doing this same radio install on my '87 targa soon. Correct me if I'm wrong but do you want the radio to turn off when you turn off the ignition/car as if you were parking? Is your concern you might leave the radio on and drain the battery?

I have found that I enjoy the "hot" radio in my Audi as I can listen to the radio without having anything else on or key in. It has become habit to just turn everything off, HVAC, lights and radio before I turn off the car. Same goes for my targa.

Looking forward to your response.

I really don't have a problem with the radio being "hot". In many ways it is more convenient to have the radio on with the ignition out.

However, I decided to install the radio in the "normal" mode with the radio only coming on with the ignition on. So, since the radio is not performing that way, my concern is why?

I'm 99.999999% sure I have the plug wired correctly. However, one thing I have not checked (and will do tonight) is the connector. The connector I bought is aftermarket and I want to make sure there is not an internal jumper or something similar that is powering the "ignition" pin with the constant 12V line.

[billh1963]

Originally Posted by guli

The system setting "Logic" controls if you can turn on the unit when the ingition is off.

From the manual:

Logic ON/Logic OFF
Logic ON to limit the use of the set to one hour when the car ignition is switched off.Logic OFF to prevent the set from turning on, when the car ignition is switched off.

Thank you for that! I did not see that in the manual...I'll check that!

[spedrcr]

Gotcha.

As stated, the Logic setting is what should change the function. Good luck and post some pics when your done with the install. It should look great!

[billh1963]

Originally Posted by spedrcr

Gotcha.

As stated, the Logic setting is what should change the function. Good luck and post some pics when your done with the install. It should look great!

All done! The logic setting did it.

Radio works great and looks even better. Will post a picture tomorrow.

[Koizumi]

I'm very tempted to get one of these units. I have an 80s Alpine pullout installed and I'm afraid that the chopped up wiring will give me woes.

[billh1963]

Originally Posted by Koizumi

I'm very tempted to get one of these units. I have an 80s Alpine pullout installed and I'm afraid that the chopped up wiring will give me woes.

Slow and steady does it. I think the wiring colors from the 80's still match modern stereo wiring colors. My wires did to a large extent and I was able to use a pin out drawing from my old stereo to verify all the wires as a sanity check. I soldered all my wiring connections to insure good connections.

The new unit isn't that expensive and does look good. Give it a try!

[Koizumi]

Originally Posted by billh1963

Slow and steady does it. I think the wiring colors from the 80's still match modern stereo wiring colors. My wires did to a large extent and I was able to use a pin out drawing from my old stereo to verify all the wires as a sanity check. I soldered all my wiring connections to insure good connections.



The new unit isn't that expensive and does look good. Give it a try!

Thanks for the encouragement. I did read that there is a harness that was available. Is this something that I would need seeing as I don't have a stock radio? My Alpine is the classic 80s pullout with the green light up buttons.

I've been waiting forever for a modern Bluetooth headunit that looks good in a 3.2!

[spedrcr]

Originally Posted by Koizumi

Thanks for the encouragement. I did read that there is a harness that was available. Is this something that I would need seeing as I don't have a stock radio? My Alpine is the classic 80s pullout with the green light up buttons.

I've been waiting forever for a modern Bluetooth headunit that looks good in a 3.2!

I would bet your 80's Alpine harness/connectors would suffice as the ISO Connector (which is what the Continental takes) has been around for years. To be sure, and most likely to clean up the install when you put in the Continental, get an ISO Universal connector from Tore

Universal ISO harness - Car Audio - Products

Great guy to deal with, quality product at fantastic price and no shipping charges from Norway!!! While you are at it, pick up the cool little Porsche stickers he makes to cover the Continental logo-makes the radio look even more OEM

Porsche sticker - Car Audio - Products

All in and ready for anything at $18!

[billh1963]

Originally Posted by Koizumi

Thanks for the encouragement. I did read that there is a harness that was available. Is this something that I would need seeing as I don't have a stock radio? My Alpine is the classic 80s pullout with the green light up buttons.

I've been waiting forever for a modern Bluetooth headunit that looks good in a 3.2!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZGCYF0S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$6.99

[billh1963]

Sorry for poor picture....I removed the knobs to get clearance for installation. Don't have the fog light one screwed back in. Also, the clear cover is still on the radio display.

I think the radio looks darn good in the dash.

[Koizumi]

That's it, I'm ordering one!

PS. Looks great!

PSS. Now I need to figure out which door speakers to get!

[ganun]

Looks great, very period....conti logo is cool but I like the VDO version of the same radio.... goes with the clock better than the tires

[billh1963]

Originally Posted by ganun

Looks great, very period....conti logo is cool but I like the VDO version of the same radio.... goes with the clock better than the tires

Actually, I like to think of the Porsche 356 Continental

[Koizumi]

I just ordered one!!

And a sticker too!!

[spedrcr]

Billh1963-radio looks great. Congrats on the update.

[Lake Guy]

Where did you purchase your continental radios? I'm not finding a retailer easily