Audi Repair: 1996 Audi Bose Stereo staying on whe ignition off, audi a6 avant quattro, bose radio

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have a 1996 Audi A6 Avant Quattro with Bose Stereo. I bought radio removal tools on ebay to remove the radio so I could get the serial number because I don't have the code and need to disconnect the battery. While trying unsuccessfully to remove the radio, it suddenly came on and there was no key in the ignition. Now, it stays on when the car is off unless so I need to manually turn off the radio by the knob. It was not like thias before. What happened? I never did get the radio out because the tool would not connect on the left side. Thanks for any help.

ANSWER: Well my bose radio switches on while the ignition is off, so my guess is that you can turn the radio on while the ignition swtich is off, essentially overriding the default.  When the radio is on and I switch the ignition off, the radio switches off.  Doe syours?  If so I guess things are working as normal.  Note that in order to get the radio out, the keys on the left are reversed when compared to the keys in the right.  When you insert the release key make sure it catches the locking spring.  Let me know,  Jan

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: No, the radio does not turn off if it is left on when you pull the key out of the
ignition. It used to, My 1997 A6 does and I know that this one used to. On the
other hand, my 1994 Audi Cabriolet never did. For the radio removal issue, the
left side key does not catch the spring, the right one click in but not the left.
Any suggestions on  either issue?

Answer
So this could be either a radio wiring problem, a radio internal problem or a problem with your ignition switch.  At the end of the ignition switch is a little metal pin which sometimes falls out if someone replaces the switch without being aware of it.   That means the switch never goes out of 'accessory on' mode, even when the key is removed.  Has anything been changed recently on your ignition switch or ignition lock?  Otherwise it has to be a short between the permanent live (for memory) and the switched live (for operation) on the radio.
In order to get the release key to work you may have to wiggle the sharp end over a little bit further to the side to make sure it engages the spring.  Let me know,  Jan