radio

I have a 97 jetta gl and now the radio only works in the accessory position. It will not work in the on position. You use to be able to turn the key to the off position and the radio would work until the key was removed. Not any more. Is it a bad ignition or a relay? When i turn the key to start the car the power comes back on until the key is fully turned and then released

sounds like loose connection at the ignition to the radio or fried wire
check the wires from the column to the unit

If it's all factory it should only work in the run & acc. positions. Regardless if it suddenly changed then either one of it's fuses may have blown or the ignition switches are a common failure. Has anything else electrically strange happened like running lights?