My car's OEM head unit switched itself off when the ignition key was removed but, importantly, could be turned on again from the unit without needing the key in the ignition. Ideal when parked up waiting.

I replaced it with my own Blaupunkt Woodstock DAB54 and whilst it works fine with the engine running, it will not work (as the OEM one did) without the key. Short of running the engine, it will only work with the key set to the last position before starting, a position in which the manual explicitly states the key should not be left.

Can anyone suggest any simple solutions or should I just head round to my local car audio guy?

Is it really still a bad thing to sit with the ignition in the on position? Do coils still burn out?

I understood the OEM units were made by Blaupunkt which makes this difference harder to fathom ...

 

Headunit 'feature'.

theres a permanent 12+, and Ignition switched 12+.
stock unit used ign12+ for the sense, and pulled power from perm12+

where-as blaupunkt takes power from ign12+. no ignition, no power on.

perm12+ is usually for remembering clock/radio settings.

i dont think there's a way since it's coded into the HU electronics itself.

 

Unless you connect up 2 permanent lives.

But then you have to switch the stereo off everytime you turn the car off