Help - radio stays on after shutdown??

[dsbeaupre]

My '98 528 has been acting weird for the last few days. When I shut down the engine, close the windows and roof, remove the key and open the door, the radio stays on now. The radio back light goes off, but the sound keeps playing.

I have to put the key back in and turn it to on, then turn the radio off.

I need help. Any ideas?

[soravok]

My '98 528 has been acting weird for the last few days. When I shut down the engine, close the windows and roof, remove the key and open the door, the radio stays on now. The radio back light goes off, but the sound keeps playing.

I have to put the key back in and turn it to on, then turn the radio off.

I need help. Any ideas?


Well some newer car models have power to the system untill you open the door in which time the power goes off even if the key isn't in the ignition, it could be a faulty sensor of some sort in the door mechanisim. Does the rest of the car have power when the radio is on? (Locks, windows, etc)? Maybe that would clue into the underlying problem.

[dsbeaupre]

Well some newer car models have power to the system untill you open the door in which time the power goes off even if the key isn't in the ignition, it could be a faulty sensor of some sort in the door mechanisim. Does the rest of the car have power when the radio is on? (Locks, windows, etc)? Maybe that would clue into the underlying problem.

No, nothing else remains powered after I open the door (which is expected). It is only the radio audio that remains on, the radio display turns off.

[Ågent99]

No, nothing else remains powered after I open the door (which is expected). It is only the radio audio that remains on, the radio display turns off.


Will the radio audio EVER turn off by itself? What I mean is, do your normal routine upon leaving/locking/arming your car and see if the radio shuts down after 15 minutes or so. Even if you leave your headlights on, they will turn off by themselves after 15 or so minutes.

I am not sure what this might tell you, however! :D Seeing that you are out of warranty (maybe?), I'd hate to send you to the dealer for a potentially expensive trip. Try as much as you can to diagnose it in case you end up going to the dealer.

[dsbeaupre]

Will the radio audio EVER turn off by itself? What I mean is, do your normal routine upon leaving/locking/arming your car and see if the radio shuts down after 15 minutes or so. Even if you leave your headlights on, they will turn off by themselves after 15 or so minutes.

I am not sure what this might tell you, however! :D Seeing that you are out of warranty (maybe?), I'd hate to send you to the dealer for a potentially expensive trip. Try as much as you can to diagnose it in case you end up going to the dealer.

Thanks for the hint. I tried two things.

1. I shut the car off (radio still playing), got out, closed the door, set the alarm, dis-armed and opened the door - it was still playing.

2. I shut the car off (radio still playing), got out, closed the door, went into a store, had a guy come over and tell me I left my radio on, bought my coffee, walked back to the car (~3 minutes elapsed), radio was silent.

Possessed? Haunted? What have I done wrong? Why is this happening to me?

But more importantly, how much is this going to cost me?

[dasWolf]

HAs anyone come up with an answer on this one? My wife's 2002 525i just went in for Inspection II service and I had the battery replaced. Now the radio stays on (only the audio portion) for about a minute after the ignition is off. When restarting the car, the radio is off even if it had been left on when ignition was turned off. I read once that there was a setting in older BMW for having the radio tied to the ignition. Wondering if anyone had any info.


Thanks

[Leon]

I'm having the same problem with my 2002 325i with the "Business CD" radio. The radio was removed to service something behind it and now it stays on after the ignition is turned off. I hate this. Does anyone know how to reprogram the radio back to its original behavior (turn off with the ignition and not stay on)?

[dboy11]

You might think about having the ignition switch changed...I had some phantom problems with my 540. Start the car radio would not be on, turn off and on again, radio worked...it would stall at stop signs loose power then come back on with in seconds...few other things like that....had the IS changed and it all when away...its about a 100 bucks changed and takes less than 30 minutes

[Leon]

I don't think it's the IS, but I will have that checked out next time I take it in for service. I do think it is one of the settings in the radio that got wiped out when it lost power when the radio was removed from the dash.

[dboy11]

I don't think it's the IS, but I will have that checked out next time I take it in for service. I do think it is one of the settings in the radio that got wiped out when it lost power when the radio was removed from the dash.

That could be but the mechanic that I use said that it is the source of a lot of electrical problems in these cars...I know that it cured mine!

[joyfret]

Here's a real cheap method of diagnosing a bad ignition switch.
Pull down the passenger side shade and slide open the vanity mirror
so the light would turn on. If you see any kind of electrical haywire
at this point, you may consider a new ignition switch.

[dboy11]

Here's a real cheap method of diagnosing a bad ignition switch.
Pull down the passenger side shade and slide open the vanity mirror
so the light would turn on. If you see any kind of electrical haywire
at this point, you may consider a new ignition switch.

Your kidding right?

it sounds funny but with these cars I would have no doubt about it being true

[joyfret]

dboy i wish i was, but unfortunately it is true.
i've personally seen people do this and when
doing it, radio goes on/off randomly and sh*t like that.
i've never had to do this so far ( knock ) myself.

[dbfinlay]

I had all the exact symptoms decribed in this thread. Actually, my vehicle has been doing this for years, and I thought it was intended behaviour.

What fixed it for me? The 10A 'Radio' Fuse in the trunk above the battery was blown.

(The three other radio fuses in the glove box were fine).

- Dave

[bivouac]

Okay, this seems stupid, and maybe it won't work for everyone...

I noticed the dealer did this the other day and after that, this issue started.

I just did the "roll all windows down" thing (again). Unlock the car and then hold the key in the unlock position for about 5 seconds. After that, the issue was fixed for me.

I think the fuse it gonna fix it for most people, tho.

Anyone have any idea why this would fix anything? Damn high-tech cars.

[la528it]

I checked all fuses (fine) replaced the ignition switch, AND disconnected the battery for 5 minutes... problem persists... did anyone solve this one? Do I need to replace my head?