ianinvirginia
New member
(2004 4runner V6 SR5 JBL Premium Sound)
SUMMARY:
Radio and clock lcd backlight, (and outlets, notably on different fuse) remain powered with the ignition switch in "lock" position, causing battery drain. Previously trusted mechanic replaced battery, then replaced JBL amplifier (per TSB AU001-05), problem still remains.
FULL STORY:
Owned 04 Runner since 06, replaced radio with aftermarket solution in August 2012. Got into car last week and noticed my radio was on, with audio - before I put my key in the car.
Pulled the aftermarket radio's theft deterrent device out to cut power to the device, assuming it was the issue, and planned to return to audio specialist to confirm.
Next morning, battery dead anyway. Jump it, take it to audio specialist, he uninstalls aftermarket radio, shows me that power is still going to the center console clock lcd backlight. Leaves aftermarket radio out so regular mechanic won't blame it.
I take it to my trusted mechanic, he IDs it as consistent with the TSB AU001-05 (http://www.customtacos.com/tech/files/tsb/05-AU00105r2-JBL.pdf) and recommends JBL amplifier replacement. The part will take a few days to arrive, so mechanic disconnects amp to stop battery drain, says parasitic drain has gone way down to near nothing so must be the part. I tell him to go ahead and replace the battery anyway since it's original and I want to eliminate that as a potential issue.
I drive home and notice after parking that left side of center console's clock is glowing very faint orange even when car is off.
I yank out the fuse in the engine compartment corresponding with the radio (20A) to cut battery drain with ignition off. This works - the orange light goes off.
I call the mechanic back and tell him to hold on ordering the part until examining this, because if the JBL amp was the issue and it was disconnected, logic says symptom should disappear.
Next day I bring the car back in to the mechanic, he swears he tested all relays and fuses but he takes another look, shrugs and says he still thinks the part will fix it. Part arrives, he installs today, says no drain on battery and sends me on my way. I get home, park and notice again the orange light clock is glowing very faint orange again even when car is off. This time I also notice (though probably not new) that power is still being supplied to the electrical outlet as well. I yank the fuse as before, it stops orange glow as before, as well as power to the outlets, when ignition is off. I do notice that outlet does get power when ignition is on, even with fuse missing.
Call my mechanic, he says he's sure it went from a large drain with the old part in to a tiny drain now but is puzzled. Seems at a loss as to what to do next, but suggests I bring it in again tomorrow. He's charged for 1.5 hrs so far for the diagnosis and labor on the amp replacement, (I bought the part online) so I'm not sure I should be throwing more money down this hole.
Hoping hard someone knows this quirky problem, as I'm not the first to have it recently: Why does the radio and clock lcd backlight remain powered with - JustAnswer - but I can't find an answer online.
Thanks for your kindness in reading and offering up any help.
Best,
Ian in Virginia
SUMMARY:
Radio and clock lcd backlight, (and outlets, notably on different fuse) remain powered with the ignition switch in "lock" position, causing battery drain. Previously trusted mechanic replaced battery, then replaced JBL amplifier (per TSB AU001-05), problem still remains.
FULL STORY:
Owned 04 Runner since 06, replaced radio with aftermarket solution in August 2012. Got into car last week and noticed my radio was on, with audio - before I put my key in the car.
Pulled the aftermarket radio's theft deterrent device out to cut power to the device, assuming it was the issue, and planned to return to audio specialist to confirm.
Next morning, battery dead anyway. Jump it, take it to audio specialist, he uninstalls aftermarket radio, shows me that power is still going to the center console clock lcd backlight. Leaves aftermarket radio out so regular mechanic won't blame it.
I take it to my trusted mechanic, he IDs it as consistent with the TSB AU001-05 (http://www.customtacos.com/tech/files/tsb/05-AU00105r2-JBL.pdf) and recommends JBL amplifier replacement. The part will take a few days to arrive, so mechanic disconnects amp to stop battery drain, says parasitic drain has gone way down to near nothing so must be the part. I tell him to go ahead and replace the battery anyway since it's original and I want to eliminate that as a potential issue.
I drive home and notice after parking that left side of center console's clock is glowing very faint orange even when car is off.
I yank out the fuse in the engine compartment corresponding with the radio (20A) to cut battery drain with ignition off. This works - the orange light goes off.
I call the mechanic back and tell him to hold on ordering the part until examining this, because if the JBL amp was the issue and it was disconnected, logic says symptom should disappear.
Next day I bring the car back in to the mechanic, he swears he tested all relays and fuses but he takes another look, shrugs and says he still thinks the part will fix it. Part arrives, he installs today, says no drain on battery and sends me on my way. I get home, park and notice again the orange light clock is glowing very faint orange again even when car is off. This time I also notice (though probably not new) that power is still being supplied to the electrical outlet as well. I yank the fuse as before, it stops orange glow as before, as well as power to the outlets, when ignition is off. I do notice that outlet does get power when ignition is on, even with fuse missing.
Call my mechanic, he says he's sure it went from a large drain with the old part in to a tiny drain now but is puzzled. Seems at a loss as to what to do next, but suggests I bring it in again tomorrow. He's charged for 1.5 hrs so far for the diagnosis and labor on the amp replacement, (I bought the part online) so I'm not sure I should be throwing more money down this hole.
Hoping hard someone knows this quirky problem, as I'm not the first to have it recently: Why does the radio and clock lcd backlight remain powered with - JustAnswer - but I can't find an answer online.
Thanks for your kindness in reading and offering up any help.
Best,
Ian in Virginia
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