Passat Radio Issue

[Rustyb]

I am having an issue with the radio in my '99 Passat. It has starting coming on by itself with no one in the car and no key in the ignition. I've come out a couple of times to the car to find the radio on inside and the car completely locked up. I know older vw's used to require that you turn off the radio manually. This has never been the case with this car. Someone told me I should replace the ignition switch, but I'm not sure he's knows what he's talking about. He told me that if I manually shut off the radio before turning off the car, I wouldn't have the problem and wouldn't have to change the ignition switch. I've been doing that, and it is still coming on by itself. Any ideas out there?

[Brekka]

I am having an issue with the radio in my '99 Passat. It has starting coming on by itself with no one in the car and no key in the ignition. I've come out a couple of times to the car to find the radio on inside and the car completely locked up. I know older vw's used to require that you turn off the radio manually. This has never been the case with this car. Someone told me I should replace the ignition switch, but I'm not sure he's knows what he's talking about. He told me that if I manually shut off the radio before turning off the car, I wouldn't have the problem and wouldn't have to change the ignition switch. I've been doing that, and it is still coming on by itself. Any ideas out there?

2 simpe options jump out at me without knowing if this is a common fault. The makeshift approach would be to put an inline switch on the power line to the radio so that you can turn off the power completely at any time, though if not done right this could look untidy, the other more tidy option is to try another radio in there and see if it stops.

It is likely to be the radio itself as any other issues with the vehicle or its wiring should have no influence over the function of the radio in this particular way.

[Turkster]

sounds like there is an internal issue with the radio unit mate, i had that same issue after water had been splashed on the unit by the last owner,

[Froggy]

Also check your central locking is working properly ! There was an issue that the central locking could fire up the radio sometimes. (Don't ask why)