Head unit turns on/off after 20 mins driving

[JGTI]

Hi all, I'm experiencing the following issue with my head unit.

After about 20 mins driving the head unit starts turning itself on/off constantly for five minutes. There is also a clicking noise from the relay below steering wheel which marries up with the head unit turning on/off. After about five minutes all returns to normal. The head unit also stays on sometimes when i remove the keys from the ignition plus when starting car I have to manually turn head unit on.

No other issues occur with the above. I have 105,000 km on the clock. Methinks the head unit is stuffed? Any one have any advice on this matter? Appreciate any help in advance.

Cheers

[vdubmotorworx]

Sounds like you have a golf 5. Golf 6 or eos....if you do them ignitiin switch faulty. Quite common....VDUB..

[Lucas_R]

Yep i think it will be the ignition switch - we bought a Mk6 GTI 2nd hand earlier this year and the head unit was switching itself on and off every few minutes. I did a scan with VCDS and had 5 faults all relating to the ignition switch.

Bought a new switch from ECS Tuning for $50 odd dollars and replaced it - problem fixed immediately. Mind you, replacing the switch entails removal of the steering wheel, airbag and trim around the steering column. The switch itself is a right bugger to get out without specialist tools.

Here is a copy of the errors my car had. Check your to see if they are the same/similar.

Below are the errors:

Address 16: Steering wheel Labels: 1K0-953-549-MY9.lbl
Part No SW: 1K0 953 549 CF HW: 1K0 953 549 CF
Component: J0527 056 0111
Coding: 0000532
Shop #: WSC 01357 011 00200
VCID: 78F5F6390BC86A9

Subsystem 1 - Part No: 5K0 959 542 Labels: 3C8-959-537.CLB
Component: E221__MFL-TAS H05 0010
Coding: 00000130
Shop #: WSC 00000

5 Faults Found:
00576 - Terminal 15
012 - Electrical Fault in Circuit - Intermittent
00883 - Ignition Switch (D) Terminal S
012 - Electrical Fault in Circuit - Intermittent
00884 - Ignition Switch (D) Terminal X
012 - Electrical Fault in Circuit - Intermittent
01744 - Ignition Switch Terminal P (D)
012 - Electrical Fault in Circuit - Intermittent
00885 - Ignition Switch (D) Terminal 50
012 - Electrical Fault in Circuit - Intermittent

Ross Tech info:
00576 - Ross-Tech Wiki

Part Number Info:
Vagcom Ross-Tech Codes Ignition Switch Repair - TDIClub Forums

ECS Tuning Part:
Ignition Switch

[JGTI]

Thanks VDUB & Lukas_R for your detailed response. VDUB I have a MK 6.
I shall buy a new ignition switch and give it a burl

Many thanks