I've been bothered that my power outlet is dead unless the engine is running, since I have my Sirius receiver in the power outlet. When I stop the car and wait for my SO, I'd like to listen to Sirius. I was hopeful that inserting the fob would make the difference, but I just tested it and it's the same without the fob in the dash.

1st press - Radio Active, power outlet dead.
2nd press - everything active, including all the dash lights - low oil pressure, etc.
3rd press - off.

2nd press seems like turning an old car to "On" without starting it. I was once told this was bad for the car, but I don't whether that's true, either then or now with all the electronics.

So, is it bad for the car to have all the dash lights on, inciting the engine and everything is on without the engine running?

 

You second press should light up the lighter sockets, if it doesn't there's something wrong. I look at the fuel gauge to check if I'm in the "On" position or not, if there are orange (or red) petals the lighter socket is on.

 

I tested it again. Two presses turn the car on, although if your food isn't depressing the clutch, the car won't start. On the second press, all the warning likes come on, and after 5+/- seconds all the warning lights go off except the engine light and the fuel lights. The second press does light up the lighter sockets though.

 

It is not bad for the car to have the car "on" but the engine not running. It is known as accessory mode in most cars. Just remember that if you have your heat/vent/AC running, it will probably drain your battery faster than only having the radio on.

 

Thanks for the reply.

Traditional key-based ignition switches have 4 positions-

Off-
ACC- Accessories are on, and in most cases that includes parking lights, radio and lighters.
ON - The engine is running, presuming you first went to the next step. If you didn't go to START, all the warning lights are lit up.
START - Engages the starter and when released, the key springs back to ON.
(I know everyone knows this, I'm just making sure I am communicating the terminology I'm using clearly.)

I think of the first push of the button equivalent to ACC. Radio and parking lights are active. The second push (without the clutch in) is more like ON in a traditional key-based system.

I was told many years ago, perhaps incorrectly, is that leaving the key on ON without the engine running is bad for the car. Now that could have been based upon damage to the points or the distributor, neither of which are relevant anymore.

So does anyone think leaving the car on ON (Second Push) to get the lighter to function while the engine is not running will damage the car?

Thanks,

Larry

 

With older cars it could cause damage to point etc it the were touching or arching. but in todays cars that is not really the case

The problem with the MINI is that it WILL drain your battery very quickly and seeing as the battery is rather small for the car to begin with it WILL shorten the life span of the battery. You could wire the SAT radio to the fuse for the radio and then you would not have this problem.

 

Brilliant! You have confirmed my understanding. The Sirius Snap! model I got is on a stalk that fits into the Cigarette lighter, so there is no mounting issue and it's located right by the lower toggles. I have an older Roady XT, that I could try and mount, but for now I think I'll live with the cig Lighter only working when the ignition is ON, shut down all the heater and lights, and use it very sparingly.

Link to Snap:

http://shop.siriusxm.com/xm/ctl10600...or_the_vehicle

Thanks!

Larry

 

This is an easy fix and I wrote about this in my "How To" thread when I installed my Sirius unit.

Basically just go to any auto parts store and get the following:

1. An "Add-A-Circuit":


2. A cigarette lighter extension cord


3. Plug the cigarette unit for your Sirius into the extention cord.


Tape them together just to be safe:


Then cut the extension cord to expose the red/black wires:




You will then want to insert the red wire only into the Add-A-Circuit, and crimp down to join the connection. It will look like this:


Then ground the black wire to something metal.

4. Then plug the Add-a-Circuit this into fuse #21 (highlighted in red)


It will look like this:


Then the Sirius will stay on even after you turn off the ignition.
See my thread for greater detail. Enjoy1

 

Thanks. That's what I did when I mounted my radar detector. My Sirius is on a stalk that mounts into the cig lighter, so I didn't have to do a dash mount. If I go back to my old dash mount receiver, I'll find another live fuse.

I'm in SF. Do you belong to any local Mini clubs?

 

Nope. I'm not part of any local Mini Clubs.
I'm in SF all the time, so let me know if there are any Mini clubs I should check out.

 

I only know of NorCal Minis, but don't have any experience with them.

http://www.norcalminis.com/

Larry