With a Chevy vehicle, you know the convenience of having a radio for entertainment and information during long drives. But what happens when your Chevy radio stays on after car is off?
While this might seem like a problem, it’s a common issue with Chevy vehicles that is easy to resolve.
This article will explain what triggers it and how to tackle it. With a few simple steps, you can get your Chevy radio to switch off when you want it to. So, save yourself the headache and read on.
Chevy Radio Stays On After Car Is Off: Why?
Why is my radio staying on when car is off?
This matter can stem from one of these 4 issues: the poor ignition switch, the radio set up to stay on, the problematic ignition cylinder and key, and the bad head unit wiring.
Poor Head Unit Wiring
Similar to when the stereo doesn’t turn on with ignition, incorrect wiring in the head unit is likely to blame if the car radio won’t turn off since your head unit is already installed.
Faulty Ignition Cylinder Or Key
The aftermarket radio stays on with ignition off can also be due to the poor ignition cylinder or key.
Once your ignition cylinder gets old and worn, it may appear in an “off” position while in the run or accessory position.
Radio Stays On By Default
A car radio on with ignition off can happen with several cutting-edge cars. These have an automatic shutoff feature after a certain amount of time has passed.
But when the feature goes wrong, you’ll need a pro.
Ignition Switch
Even if the ignition switch is not running, it could still power the car’s accessories.
Whether the Chevy Trax radio stays on when the car is off or the Chevy Cruze radio won’t turn off, the issue may stem from the same sources.
As a Chevy owner, you may also encounter many hurdles with your beloved car, such as the 2018 Chevy Trax Problems. Click on the link to learn more!
Aftermarket Radio Stays On With Ignition Off: How To Fix?
Test The Head Unit Cables
When the car radio stays on when car is turned off, it is likely related to your wiring should you own an aftermarket unit, which has persisted since installation.
Most car audio systems only have 2 power wires and 1 ground wire.
There is 1 power wire that is always hot, while the others are only energized when the car operates or your ignition is switched to the accessory position.
Your radio will never switch off if the significant power wire is linked to a constant-voltage source.
Use a test or voltmeter light to get the root causes. If the radio’s power wires always get hot, you must rewire it to draw current only when the key is in the run or accessory position.
Inspect The Ignition Switch
If the ignition switch is faulty, the accessories may continue to receive power even after you remove the key.
Suppose you find that both power wires are hot, but you can’t identify the power source which is only hot when the ignition is in the run or accessory position, this can be the case.
It’s time to verify whether or not the accessory powers are still on when the ignition is turned off. You should realign the car cylinder or change the switch if electricity can be accessed.
Examine Your Ignition Key And Cylinder
It’s a similar issue, except it relates to the ignition cylinder rather than the ignition switch.
Should your ignition cylinder or key be severely worn, you can take out the key while the ignition stays in the on or accessory position.
To resolve this issue, confirm that your ignition switch is genuinely in an “off” status when your key is removed. That will deactivate the radio. The long-lasting solution is to change the worn cylinder.
Radio Setting
See if the radio has an automatic shutoff feature. Depending on the length of the timer, some radios are not intended to turn off instantly.
Stop the car, take the key out of the ignition, get out of your car, and lock your door. And after a while, check whether your radio has been turned off.
There’s nothing wrong with your car, with the radio shutting off after several seconds.
Otherwise, ensure your dome lights are off when shutting the doors. Possible causes of persistent dome light glow include faulty door switches. Call for professional assistance if things are not normal.
FAQs
Does Leaving Your Radio On Drain The Chevy Battery?
Yes, in most cases. The radio may not use much power, but it can still damage the battery while it’s left on overnight.
Some more advanced systems consume much power, shortening the battery’s lifespan. Energy is also needed to power the sound system, video displays, and lighting.
The odds of the car battery dying overnight are high, especially if it is nearing the end of its lifespan. Turn off the car’s engine and other unnecessary electronics before leaving.
Also, fix the battery issues right away.
How Long Will A Radio Take To Drain A Chevy Battery?
Your battery should last between four and six hours with the radio on in a modern car. Still, your battery life may get shortened by adding subwoofers, boosters, or speakers to the existing audio setup.
For instance, the battery life might drop to 1-2 hours with a subwoofer added.
If you turn on the lights, that will use the extra energy from your battery. Turning on lights and the radio can drain your battery in minutes.
Electronic devices like phone chargers or an external GPS plugged in will also drain your battery faster.
How Do I Fix Bad Reception In Chevy?
You can improve weak signal quality in the car in a few ways. Among other things, extending the mast to its full height can improve the antenna’s reception amazingly.
The higher it extends, the better it should pick up signals.
The next step is to connect the cables to your head unit securely. This ensures the antenna’s received signal is accurately transmitted via radio.
If neither works, you’d better invest in a signal booster. You could fix the problems caused by poor reception by installing one inside a vehicle.
How To Turn On Radio Without Starting A Car?
Many modern cars include radios that allow you to listen to music without turning on the engine.
This can be a godsend when you need to stay inside the car but don’t want to waste petrol by starting the vehicle for a few moments of music.
Instructions for turning on the radio without turning the engine on are:
Step 1: Have the key in your car.
The smart key technology, which has been around since 1995 but has recently seen a surge in popularity, is well-received by many car owners.
The smart key is core when making the most of the start/stop engine button’s secondary purpose.
Step 2: Put your gear into neutral mode.
If you leave your car in Park mode and immediately click the start/stop button, the auto will shut down all of its engines and the radio.
When shifting from the park to neutral mode, the brake pedal is also used at this point.
Step 3: Push your button to start accessory mode.
Now that everything is configured as desired, you may start “accessory mode” by pressing a button.
Still, take your foot off the brake before doing so because once the brake is applied and the button is pressed, the engine will start up.
Once you successfully set up the “accessory mode”, listen to the radio for some great tunes and the latest headlines.
All in all, the specific steps can vary based on the make and model of your cars. Read the car’s manual for further clarification.
How Should You Fix Static In The Car Radio?
The antenna installation is a simple solution to static interference. If the vehicle’s signal is weak, this can help strengthen it from the outside.
When that doesn’t work, look at the radio’s grounding and wiring. Remove the antenna’s power supply and switch around its cable connections and check the results.
In other cases, mounting a noise suppressor or radio noise filter would do wonders when the problem is in the head unit.
It’s evident from the name that they shield your radio from outside interference and undesired noise.
Beyond that, you could put in an antenna filter. It assists by reducing background noise rather than a poorly placed antenna.
The Bottom Line
The Chevy radio stays on after car is off is a common problem for multiple car owners. The good news is that this issue can be fixed relatively easily.
And we’ve rounded up all roots and a few tips on how to fix the problem.
So if you’re tired of hearing your favorite radio station playing long after you’ve stepped out of your vehicle, reading this post is vital.
Also, forward this post to other besties who also own a Chevy.