12V Charger only works when ignition is on?

[macker6464]

I have 3 x 12V cigarette lighter charger sockets (front, back, boot) on my Passat B6 2007.

They all work when the ignition is on but not when the ignition is off.

When my mobile or TomTom are a bit flat I would expect to pop to the car plug them in and leave them plugged in for a bit to get some charge while I get back to my office.

I might get sacked sitting in the car for an hour to charge my mobile listening to Five Live.

Is this normal as I can think of many circumstances needing 12V but no ignition???
For example my brother used to leave his mattress pump plugged into his Citroen C4 overnight when camping for a quick pump up in the early hours – I would have to get a mattress without a puncture!

Cheers
Macker6464

[james_tiger_woo]

I can only guess this is to prevent battery drain..... I'm not sure if mine does the same TBH...

[Stuart W]

I think that's the standard set up, and I would agree with all that Macker says, as someone who spends a lot of time in the car while it's stationary.

In this regard another pain is that the clock is only visible with the ignition on.

I recall being a really annoyed about these two 'issues' when I got the car, but like other similar things you just learn to live with them.

[Ben]

they are live on my golf 5.

[claranet]

Yes, it is a real pain isn't it ! My old 100ps TDi B5 Estate which we still have, has permanent 'live' 12v Sockets which are great(except when the fuse goes and half the dash has to come to bits to replace the fuse).

I had a 'feedback questionaire from VW when I bought my B6 170 Sport Estate;I told them that the lack of permanent live sockets is a serious omission. If VW were worried about the Battery going flat they could at least have a limit the time the Sockets are live to say 4 hours, then switch them off; that should be sufficient for charging mobile phones, Laptops, Sat Navs etc.
In my opinion, I think that permanent live 12v sockets would be more preferable to an electronic handbrake - frankly I can't see what is wrong with a conventional Handbrake anyway !

Regards
claranet

[Quatrelle]

In this regard another pain is that the clock is only visible with the ignition on.

The clock lights up on mine as soon as I unlock it and open the door.

[Stuart W]

The clock lights up on mine as soon as I unlock it and open the door.

So does mine, but unfortunately it goes out again a few seconds later unless the ignition is turned on. When the engine is stopped the clock disappears after a few seconds.

So if you're sitting in the car and it's not running then you have to either turn the ignition on or open the door to iluminate the clock

[djsky]

Yes, it is a real pain isn't it ! My old 100ps TDi B5 Estate which we still have, has permanent 'live' 12v Sockets which are great(

I had a 'feedback questionaire from VW when I bought my B6 170 Sport Estate;I told them that the lack of permanent live sockets is a serious omission. If VW were worried about the Battery going flat they could at least have a limit the time the Sockets are live to say 4 hours, then switch them off; that should be sufficient for charging mobile phones, Laptops, Sat Navs etc.
In my opinion, I think that permanent live 12v sockets would be more preferable to an electronic handbrake - frankly I can't see what is wrong with a conventional Handbrake anyway !

Is this something that one can adjust with VAG-COM? I too used to have a Golf Estate, and yesterday picked up my Passat SEL with Dynaudio soundpack. :-)

Absolutely chuffed with the car except three things...

1: 12v sockets are not live permanently.
2: Not having a multifunction steeringwheel, I cannot adjust the coming/leaving home light duration, or any of the other features like auto lock over 15kmph, and mirrors down on reverse etc. - Something i guess I'll have to buy VAG-COM for.
3: My £250.00 TAG Heuer sunglesses don't fit in the sunglasses compartment!

Apart from that, awesome.

[DaveNN]

Is this something that one can adjust with VAG-COM? I too used to have a Golf Estate, and yesterday picked up my Passat SEL with Dynaudio soundpack. :-)

Absolutely chuffed with the car except three things...

1: 12v sockets are not live permanently.
2: Not having a multifunction steeringwheel, I cannot adjust the coming/leaving home light duration, or any of the other features like auto lock over 15kmph, and mirrors down on reverse etc. - Something i guess I'll have to buy VAG-COM for.
3: My £250.00 TAG Heuer sunglesses don't fit in the sunglasses compartment!

Apart from that, awesome.

Djsky
Mine comes 01/04.....What I struggle to understand is just why VW don't seem to advertise all the bells & whistles that come with the SEL (or any other Passat, for that matter).
I assume that you had to deal with a useless 'salesman' (I use the word advisedly)...Mine hadn't even heard of AUTO HOLD so tried to divert me towards rear window blinds.....UNBELIEVABLE!!!
Would you mind compiling a list of what surprises the SEL offers??

You mention the dipping mirrors, I assume you're running a DSG????

Thanks & Cheers
DaveNN

[djsky]

Djsky
Mine comes 01/04.....What I struggle to understand is just why VW don't seem to advertise all the bells & whistles that come with the SEL (or any other Passat, for that matter).
I assume that you had to deal with a useless 'salesman' (I use the word advisedly)...Mine hadn't even heard of AUTO HOLD so tried to divert me towards rear window blinds.....UNBELIEVABLE!!!
Would you mind compiling a list of what surprises the SEL offers??

You mention the dipping mirrors, I assume you're running a DSG????

Thanks & Cheers
DaveNN

lol. yeah, sometimes the salesmen are a bit blasé when it comes to anything other than selling a car.

All the features are in the computer as standard. Duration of coming home and leaving home lights, daytime running lights on/off, dipping wing mirrors when you reverse on/off, whether the right hand mirror adjustment affects both left AND right mirrors on/off, footwell light brightness dimmable in 10% increments, seaatbelt warning audible signal on/off....

All these can be adjusted with VAG-COM software and suitable cable, but if you specifically ask for the Multifunction steeringwheel, you are able to adjust these features on the dashboard with the steering wheel controls.

I've spent YEARS saving and planning my upgrade from a 7 yr old 220,000 mile Golf estate to get this Passat, and not having those features accessible after spending nearly £26,000 ... is quite sickening actually.

Never mind eh...