battery drain due to aftermarket stereo/ power antenna mast

[d_benet]

I installed a Pioneer MVH-X380BT as a direct replacement for my OEM head unit back in Jan 2016. The stereo worked great but upon installation I noticed the antenna would raise as soon as the vehicle was energized rather than when the radio was turned on as with the OEM unit. I didn't mind driving around with the antenna up (it would lower down fine) until a couple months ago it started draining my battery to the point where I couldn't start the vehicle unless I drive it every few days. With help of a friend we were able to isolate the drain to the stereo where it appears to be trying to raise the antenna mast even when the vehicle is off (using small voltage for radio presets/clock). Current remedy is to unplug the dome light fuse when the vehicle is parked until I can fix/replace the stereo. Pioneer refused to help because the stereo is no longer under warranty. Just wondering if anyone else has had this issue before and if there are any suggestions for replacement head units that work better with our power antenna mast set-ups. I'm tempted to wire in a toggle switch for the antenna...has anyone done this?

 

[Twisted Sid]

Lots of people have done a toggle switch inline with the blue radio wire, just to have the antenna down unless it's needed. Mine is right next to the steering wheel on the left side.

 

[octanejunkie]

The antenna mod is a common one, adding a switch in-line, but if your antenna is trying to raise when the vehicle is powered off I would suspect a miswiring of the aftermarket harness

 

[Riceye]

The simple solution is to cut the antenna power wire (blue) in the harness and run it through a toggle switch mounted in a convenient spot on your dash. Leave it powered off unless you are in sketchy reception areas.

Your 2000 should have a window antenna in the rr window. If it is not hooked up, you will also need a special antenna adapter.

Really, very easily done.

 

[d_benet]

The simple solution is to cut the antenna power wire (blue) in the harness and run it through a toggle switch mounted in a convenient spot on your dash. Leave it powered off unless you are in sketchy reception areas.

Your 2000 should have a window antenna in the rr window. If it is not hooked up, you will also need a special antenna adapter.

Really, very easily done.

Thanks guys...I did use an adapter to hook up both antennas. I'm unfamiliar with the wiring...does the blue wire run power from the stereo to the antenna? My concern is that the stereo is malfunctioning trying to send power to the antenna and the only way to stop the battery draw is to interrupt power to the stereo...or replace it. I agree an antenna toggle switch sounds like an easy/convenient way to deal with the mast raising/lowering as long as the stereo is behaving and not constantly trying raise the antenna.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Thanks guys...I did use an adapter to hook up both antennas. I'm unfamiliar with the wiring...does the blue wire run power from the stereo to the antenna? My concern is that the stereo is malfunctioning trying to send power to the antenna and the only way to stop the battery draw is to interrupt power to the stereo...or replace it. I agree an antenna toggle switch sounds like an easy/convenient way to deal with the mast raising/lowering as long as the stereo is behaving and not constantly trying raise the antenna.

I have a old Sony Radio in my 94 Cummins and the lack of a telescoping antenna hasn't done anything. It's been in for at least 20 years. It was one of the first radios with a remote control option.


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[tvpierce]

The manual for your stereo is here.
The only way to really know what's going on is to pull out the head unit, and inspect the wiring.
Make certain the blue/white wire is what's feeding the antenna.
Then grab your multi-meter. With the stereo powered off, there should be 0 volts on the blue/white wire. With the stereo powered on, there should be 12 volts on the blue/white wire.

If there's power on the blue/white wire when the stereo is off, the stereo has an internal problem you likely are not going to be able to fix. Just add a toggle switch inline on the blue/white wire and be done with it. IMHO, it's the way it should have come from the factory.

I rarely listen to CDs anymore, but when I did, the operation of the antenna bugged the hell out of me:
Turn on the stereo, the antenna starts going up. Pop in your CD, and the antenna stops mid-way and goes back down. Want to change a CD? Hit the eject button, the antenna starts back up. You select your new CD, insert it, and the antenna goes back down. A lot of cycling of the antenna motor and a lot of foolishness all for nothing.

 

[d_benet]

If there's power on the blue/white wire when the stereo is off, the stereo has an internal problem you likely are not going to be able to fix. Just add a toggle switch inline on the blue/white wire and be done with it. IMHO, it's the way it should have come from the factory.

Thanks...I'm going to try adding a switch. If it works great...if it doesn't work, at least I'll have a switch for the antenna even if I have to replace the head unit.

 

[TheDurk]

Thanks...I'm going to try adding a switch. If it works great...if it doesn't work, at least I'll have a switch for the antenna even if I have to replace the head unit.

There is no reason on this green earth to replace the head unit if the only problem is it sending power over the blue wire when off(as long as you can live with the switch, which many prefer, anyway.) There will be zero draw on that wire with a switch isolating it. In fact, you can draw antenna trigger power somewhere else for the switch, and just cut the blue wire off, if it will make you feel better. No need or reason to use the blue wire if the HU never cuts its power.

 

[octanejunkie]

There is no reason on this green earth to replace the head unit if the only problem is it sending power over the blue wire when off(as long as you can live with the switch, which many prefer, anyway.) There will be zero draw on that wire with a switch isolating it. In fact, you can draw antenna trigger power somewhere else for the switch, and just cut the blue wire off, if it will make you feel better. No need or reason to use the blue wire if the HU never cuts its power.

FWIW, having installed a switch and the adapter for the diversity antenna shown above I rarely raise my main antenna at all anymore

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