I've posted about this before, a long time ago, but never found a solution. What happened, was right after I bought my r53, I spliced into the radio wires for power on an accessory. While doing this, I blew the fuse a few times by accidentally shorting out the wire. The fuse was replaced of course, but ever since, the radio has never worked properly. Sometimes, the radio won't turn on at all. I can have the radio working, park the car, shut it off for a short period of time, get back in and the radio won't work. When the radio DOES work, it works in 20 minute intervals, shuts off, and I have to turn it on again. Also, when I have the radio on and shut the car off, the radio won't turn off by itself- I have to do it manually, every time. Any ideas? Do I need to replace the radio?

 

sounds like you are still have a power issue at a minimum; the radio will run for 20 minutes if it is turned on after the key is shut off. This is by design so as not to kill the battery. If you decide to replace the radio with a factory unit it will be necessary to have the the system reprogrammed so that the BC1 (body computer) recognizes the new radio else it wont play at all (anti theft feature). You also never said which fuse was blown, or why was it blown more than once? or if the accessory you installed is still in place..........have you tried undoing all the electrical changes you made to see if this resolves the problem?


It is never a good idea to cut any wires since there are so many networks involved with the systems nowadays.

 

Sounds like you severed the wire that tells the HU that the car is 'on'. The stereo will work in 20 minute intervals regardless of the key position as a convenience feature. I'd remove the accessory and either use a butt connector or solder the original wire back together.

FWIW, in the future, use and 'add-a-circuit' in the fuse box. No cutting/no splicing into the factory wiring.

 

Did you ever figure this out? My stock unit and it has started turning itself off in 20 minute intervals as well. I had thought that it was a problem with the unit itself, and ended up replacing it. . .it still turns itself off.