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REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Smart & Connected Life > Connected Car Tech 189 189 people found this article helpful
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When not researching and testing computers, game consoles or smartphones, he stays up-to-date on the myriad complex systems that power battery electric vehicles . lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on May 2, 2022 Reviewed by Christine Baker Reviewed by
Christine Baker Christine Baker is a marketing consultant with experience working for a variety of clients.
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Her expertise includes social media, web development, and graphic design. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email
In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section Causes of a Car Radio Not Shutting Off Step-by-Step: Fix an Always-on Car Radio Check Your Car Radio Wiring Check for a Bad Ignition Switch Radio Shut-Off Delay Issues Frequently Asked Questions When your car radio won't turn off, you can end up dealing with some pretty annoying consequences.
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Car radios don't draw a whole lot of power, but it's enough to drain your battery dead overnight, or even over the span of a few hours if your battery is already on its last legs. So how do you fix a car radio that won't turn off? It's usually due to some type of electrical problem, so we'll walk you through the most common causes and how to fix them.
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What Causes a Car Radio to Stay on All the Time
There are a few common problems that can result in a car radio not shutting down when you expect it to, and each one applies to a fairly specific situation. The most common cause of this problem is an improperly wired head unit, so if you have an aftermarket radio, that's the first place to look.
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Elise Degarmo / Lifewire Other than that, you could have a problem with your ignition switch, or some other related component, and there are also some cars that are designed to allow the radio to stay on for a given amount of time, usually about ten minutes, unless a door is opened first. Here are the most common problems that will prevent a car radio from turning off: Head unit wiring: If this problem has always been present, since the head unit was installed, then it's probably wired incorrectly.Ignition switch: The ignition switch may be providing accessory power even when it seems like it's switched off.Key and ignition cylinder: Similarly, a worn out ignition cylinder may seem to be in the off position when it's really in the accessory or run position.Radio designed to stay on: Some car radios are designed to stay on for a set period of time. When this feature breaks down, you'll usually need help from a pro.
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How to Fix a Car Radio That Won' t Turn Off
If your car radio won't turn off, follow these steps to eliminate each potential culprit. You should be able to narrow down, and even fix, the source of the problem by following these instructions.
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If you reach the end, and your car radio still won't turn off, you may need to seek professional assistance. Check your head unit wiring.
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If you have an aftermarket head unit, and your problem has existed ever since it was installed, then you're probably dealing with a wiring problem. Car radios are designed to have a single ground wire and two power wires.
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One power wire is hot all the time, and the other only has power when the engine is running, or when the ignition switch is in the accessory position. If the main power wire for your head unit is connected to a power source that is always hot, the radio won't ever turn off.
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You can check for this problem with a voltmeter or test light. If both power wires are hot all the time, you'll need to rewire the radio to receive power from a source that is only hot when the ignition is in the accessory or run position.
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Check your ignition switch. Some ignition switch problems can result in accessory power being available even when the key is removed.
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If you found that both of your power wires were hot in step one, but you couldn't find a power source that was only hot with the ignition switch in the accessory or run position, this might be your problem. You'll need to check and see if accessory power is available when the key is in the off position. If power is available, then you will have to realign the cylinder or replace the ignition switch as needed.
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Check your ignition cylinder and key. This is a related problem, but it has to do with the mechanical ignition cylinder instead of the electronic switch. If your key or ignition cylinder are especially worn, you may be able to remove the key when the switch is still in the accessory or on position.
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To fix this problem, you'll need to make sure that the ignition switch is actually in the off position when you remove the key. That should allow the radio to turn off. In the long term, replacing the worn out cylinder will fix the problem.
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Check if your radio is designed to stay on for a set amount of time. Some car radios are on a timer, so they are designed to not shut off immediately.
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In this case, you'll want to turn off your engine, remove the key, leave the vehicle, and shut the door. After a few minutes have passed, check if the radio has turned off.
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If the radio turns off after a few minutes, that's normal for your vehicle. If it still hasn't turned off, check if the dome lights turn off when the doors are shut.
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If the dome lights don't turn off, you might have a bad door switch. Otherwise, this type of problem usually requires help from a professional.
How to Make Sure Your Car Radio Is Wired Correctly
The basics of car stereo wiring aren’t terribly complicated, but it is pretty easy to get it wrong if you’re missing some vital information or don’t take a methodical approach to the job.
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The crux of the problem, as it relates to this issue, is that every car radio requires a ground and then two or three connections to battery positive. One connection is “always on,” and it’s used for the memory keep-alive function.
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The other, which actually provides power to run the head unit, is switched so that it’s only hot when the ignition is in the accessory or run position. If a head unit is wired wrong, so that the “always on” wire is connected where the switched wire should be connected, the radio won’t ever shut off.
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It will always have power, so it will continue to draw down on the battery even after you shut the engine off and remove the keys. Depending on the shape that the battery is in, this drain can absolutely result in a dead battery, a jump start, and possibly even a broken radio.
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To fix this issue, the head unit has to be removed and rewired. If you recently had a new head unit installed, and you’re experiencing this issue, then you should take it back to the shop that did the work and ask them to fix it. If you installed the head unit yourself, then you may want to check out the following head unit wiring resources: How to Identify Aftermarket Car Stereo Wire Colors A DIY Guide to Installing a New Head Unit In broad strokes, you will want to check the power wires that are connected to the head unit and determine which one is switched.
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One wire should be hot all the time, and the other should only show 12 volts when the ignition switch is turned on. If these wires are reversed, or the “always on” wire is connected to both, then connecting them correctly should fix the problem.
How an Ignition Switch Prevents a Radio From Turning Off
In some cases, a bad ignition switch or ignition switch cylinder may also prevent a radio from turning off.
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The issue here is that, under normal circumstances, accessories like your car radio only receive power when the ignition switch is in the accessory, run, or start position. If accessories are powered up when the switch is in the off position, your radio won't turn off. The specific procedure for diagnosing this type of problem will be different depending on the make, model and year of your vehicle, and you will probably have to look up a wiring diagram.
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In basic terms, when the ignition switch is in the off position, the ignition accessory wire should not have power. If there is an accessory relay in the circuit, it should not be activated with the ignition switch in the off position.
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If you're finding that accessories have power when they shouldn't, the problem could be in the ignition switch or the relay. The problem could also be in the mechanical ignition cylinder, which could be worn out or misaligned.
Radio Shut-Off Delay Issues
Some cars come with a feature that allows the radio to stay on after the keys have been removed from the ignition.
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This feature typically shuts the radio off after about ten minutes or if a door is shut, although that isn’t a universal rule. If you drive a car that was built in the last 10 or 15 years, you’re experiencing this problem, and you have an OEM head unit, you may want to start by checking your owner’s manual to see if your vehicle does have this feature. If you do have a problem that’s related to a radio shut-off delay feature, then both the diagnosis and fix are probably going to be outside the realm of an easy DIY job.
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If you notice that opening and closing your doors don’t activate your dome light, then you may be dealing with a faulty door switch, which is typically pretty easy to replace. In other cases, you may have a problem with a relay or other component.
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You can attempt to test or replace your accessory relay, for instance, but depending on your vehicle and what problem you’re actually dealing with, that may or may not fix the problem. FAQ How do I fix a car radio that won't turn on? To fix a car radio that won't turn on, verify that the head unit isn't in anti-theft mode.
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If the head unit isn't powering on, use basic car diagnostic tools to test the automotive fuse and any built-in fuses. You should also test the pigtail connector, check the head unit's power wires, and check for poor head unit grounds.
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How do I fix static in a car radio? To fix car audio static, add a car antenna to boost reception if the problem is external. Otherwise, try: checking the head unit's ground connection, unplugging the radio antenna, and rerouting the antenna cable.
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If the head unit is faulty, you may need to install a power line noise filter. How do I fix bad reception in a car? To improve your car radio reception, ensure your manual antenna mast is fully extended, and see if your antenna cables are properly seated in your head unit.
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You may need to install a signal booster or get a new head unit if your reception remains poor. Was this page helpful?
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