Radio power always live?

[DwightEvans]

My wife noticed the CD whirring in her 2008 X3 after the ignition was off. When she tried to turn the radio on, it did. A check of the manual says that radio power stays live for 20 minutes after ignition is turned off, but the next morning you can still turn the radio on without starting the vehicle or even having the key inserted.

It's possible opening the door activates this "feature" but I am wondering if there is an electrical issue. Also, one time the radio came on after a Bluetooth phone call, although it was not on before.

I am wondering if someone could go out and see if their radio comes on on their X3's or if this is normal.

Thanks!

[Green Chile]

You can turn the radio on at any time, not just within 20 minutes of taking out the key. I have turned the radio on at various times, no key in the ignition and nat having driven the car all day. The radio and internal CD player works. But the steering wheel controls only work with the key in the ignition. The radio will automatically turn itself off after a period of time (which could be the 20 minutes you mentioned). This was the case in my 2005 X3and again in my 2008.

Also, I noticed that when a CD is in the player, when I open the car door I hear what sounds like the CD player checking the CD (the whirring noise you mention). I would think this is normal.

[Supercourse]

Yes, it is the standard for German cars to be able to turn the radio on without having the key in the ignition. This can be very convenient at times, and the shutdown after 20 mins. or so is obviously to avoid leaving it on accidentally for a long period. Not sure what the CD noise is meant to do - possibly a reminder to remove media when finished listening as heat build up is probably not good for a CD.

[3seriesbmw]

So you can turn the radio on on all x3's without it being started or even on

[AzNMpower32]

So you can turn the radio on on all x3's without it being started or even on
Actually, you can do this on all BMWs. The cigarette lighters also stay on for 20m as well. I like being able to charge my cell while I'm temporarily off doing something else (workout, etc...)

After 20m, the car goes into a "sleep mode" and shuts the radio off automatically. You can turn it back on by simply turning on the radio button again. Nice when detailing the car.

[rotty]

So you can turn the radio on on all x3's without it being started or even on

Unless you have the factory Nav, in which case you can't :bawling:

[3seriesbmw]

I like that...in our yukon I will go out and listen to xm but you have to turn the key on and back off for the radio to come on.