ok this is in my 89 merc cougar odd feedback loop

[rjewkes]

Ok funniest thing is i have herd stories of turning off the ignition turning on a turn signal and mashing the brake in rapid motion activates the od radios with out the key in/on.

But in my new 89 merc cougar the headlights turned on also turs on the radio no key in the ignition. this is using the factory harness with bosch ford to aftermarket adapter kit. and if i turn the lights off with the ignition on/runnng or in accessories it flickers for a second but keeps playing and all memory. its a newer cd/mp3 cd player.

[GSequoia]

Try dimming the instrument panel to 0%, does it still happen? Might be a cross between the switched +12VDC feed and the instrument panel illumination feed in the stereo harness.

[rjewkes]

I'l test that theory in a bit.

ok tried it tonight

with it turned all the way to no illumination and again all the way to full allumination and dome on it blinks on and off like a turn signal.

[cdeal28078]

I found that out by accident years ago on my 71 F100. I don't have to mash the peddle off and on though I just mash it and the radio stays playing. I don't remember but I might have to pull the emergency flasher also.
I also found out the hard way once while trying to find a 12 volt source under the dash. I found a 2 wire empty connector and stuck the meter across them. Mine was a straight drive then. Soon as I crossed them the starter turned over making the truck jump. Scared the heck out of me.
Still don't know what it was for
clint

[rjewkes]

Oops forgot to mention i fixed it, the radio's permanent power was hooked to the tail lights, rheostat, interior lights circuit. and eventualy killed the switch and the fuse. all fixed now.