Radio on without key in ignition.

[hopavibe05]

Hey there everyone,I've got an issue with my 05 vibe. I came home from a 3 day trip and my car wouldn't start up due to a weak battery. Happened before after a 7 day trip as well. Bought the car used in Nov '07 with 20k miles. I think it's changed hands about 2 times before me. Well one day I hopped in the car and heard music playing. My radio was on and I didn't even put the key in ignition. I'm suspecting the radio might be draining the battery while I'm away and wonder if anyone has had this problem and had it fixed. I'm also thinking this might be the reason it's changed hands twice already. Please help. Thanks.

[lovemyraffe]

Cool, ghost radio! There has to be some sort of connection messed up in either the ignition or the radio. Probably the ignition. Electrical problems are never fun. p.s. welcome

[RePo]

When the key is removed and the ghost radio is playing, pull each fuse (not just the radio fuse) to see which one kills the radio. Then you'll know where it's feeding its power from. Then pull the radio out and see if the harness has been modified/tampered with. If you can find the right power feed FROM the radio fuse, be sure the radio is getting it's power from that circuit. Most GM cars have that delayed exit where if you park the car and remove the keys the accessory (radio) will continue to play for 15 minutes unless you open the door. My '04 doesn't do that, dunno if your 05 has that feature. My Chevy and Cadillac do that. Could be a defect in that control module if equipped. It's easier to break something that's working and shouldn't, than to fix something that's broken and doesn't.

[lovemyraffe]

Quote, originally posted by RePo »Most GM cars have that delayed exit where if you park the car and remove the keys the accessory (radio) will continue to play for 15 minutes unless you open the door. My '04 doesn't do that, dunno if your 05 has that feature. My Chevy and Cadillac do that. Could be a defect in that control module if equipped.My '05 doesn't do that. I'm not sure any Vibe's do that.

[kunkstyle]

Nope. They don't. It's not a Toyota feature As far as I know, the only power that remains should be the map and headliner lights. And they have an auto shut off after 10-15 mins. But that would be a good fuse to start with when you're checking. For a quick temp fix, you could always get a battery disconnect switch. Or shut the radio off when you're not in the car (I assume the stock radio has a power button), if it's just the radio that's killing things.Quote, originally posted by hopavibe05 »Bought the car used in Nov '07 with 20k miles. I think it's changed hands about 2 times before me.Check to see if any of the fuses are tapped and jumpered as well. Someone may have wanted power after the car was off, or had a CB or some other aftermarket gear installed.

[ragingfish]

Is it a factory radio or aftermarket?

[rowmoney]

Finally! I found somebody who has had the same problem. I have an 05 with factory CD radio. The battery started doing the 6-hour drain thing about 2 weeks after I purchased the car. I noticed that the display on the radio would come on every 20 seconds or so when the key was not in the ignition - though there was no sound from the radio.I brought it back to the dealer to complain, and told them I thought it was the radio. 8 hours and $100 later, they told me "yep, its the radio", and that I needed to get a new one (cop-out answer). I took out the radio fuse and that has solved the problem for now. I got a replacement OEM radio off of EBAY for like $60, and I plan on installing it this weekend. I'll let you know how things turn out.