Clock wont keep its memory?

sant6236

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HID's Reset Clock when Lights Auto Turnoff

Is there a reson why my clock isnt keeping its memory?

Ever since I disconnected the battery to install my HID's, it will not keep the set time that I program in.

Is there a period of learning for the ECU?
 
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You might have reset the memory and the radio. Its common with stock radios. You will have to take it to the dealership to have it fixed.
 
I do not have a stock radio.

Also, you should be able to reset the memory by disconnect terminals and then it just relearns it.
 
The clock shouldn't lose its memory unless there is a power problem. Did you happen to tap into any of the circuits that supply power to things even when the ignition is off?

As mentioned above, a few things need to be reset after you disconnect the battery. See this thread for instructions. That won't solve the clock problem, though.
 
No, I didnt mess with anything but disconnecting the battery.

The clock should not have a power problem, as nothing else is having a power problem. By the way, I am talking about the clock that is on the instrument cluster with temp, etc.

This makes no sense.

I think I am going to try and disconnect the instrument cluster and plug it back in.

Everything else is functioning properly on the instrument cluster, why is the clock not keeping its memory???
 
Well nothing has worked.

I disconnected the instrument cluster and it just reset it to 1:00 as it indicates it will do in the manual.

What happens:

When I turn the car to ACC, ON or Start I can of course set the clock to the proper time. The time will continue and will be fine as long as the car is running. I can even turn it off for a minute or so and it will still hold its time.

Its when I leave the car for over a minute and come back to turn the car on and the clock is set to a completely random time!!! WTF!!!

This is really annoying me. Someone help!!

Toto, what could this be? All I did was remove the battery terminals while installing the HID's. The only other thing I did was move the black wire that sits on top of the positive terminal but I also put it back.
 
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Are you having any similar issues with the radio (presets or last track played on CD) or with the average information (avg. MPG and avg. MPH) stored in the trip computer? Range and outside temp are calculated based on current information, but the averages depend on saving data over time.

I don't know anything about the details of the HID conversion - was it truly plug-and-play, or did you have to cut into any wiring harnesses anywhere?

The automatic shutoff control for the headlights has power even when the ignition is off, and of course the headlights have power through the switch. While there could be a connection there, I'm not sure exactly what it might be.
 
toto~

Ok, with your help we are narrowing this down.

I understand now what is happening.

The clock is resetting to 1:00 each time I turn OFF the ingnition EXACTLY WHEN THE LIGHTS AUTO TURN OFF.

After it resets, it will hold its memory even with the ignition off and run its course, which is great because this tells us its holding its memory.

The problem is that it is being reset every time the lights Auto Turn Off so this is not great.

What are your thoughts?

IT is ONLY the clock that is being affected, nothing else. The aftermarket radio and other guages on the cluster are retaining memory just fine.

I am now going to turn the lights completely off, turn on/off the ignition and see if it resets this time. My guess is not and that the HID's are the culprit. I will let you know.
 
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Yep, when the lights turn off automatically, it resets the clock each time.

I tried the same thing with the lights turned off and the clock does NOT reset when turning ignition on/off and the clock holds its memory.

Why though?????

I am going to ask Steve from Xenon Depot if he has had others experience this issue.
 
So, now my next test is going to be:


Turning the lights on/off MANUALLY as opposed to letting the car do it automatically and see if the clock resets this time.

My guess is that it WILL NOT reset the clock and my proposal is the following:

The auto lights which are tied to a contant 12V power source are drawing too much and when they auto turn off it resets the clock, which too is tied to a contant 12V.

But why??
 
Ok, we have a winner!!

When turning the lights off manually, it DOES NOT reset the clock.

ONLY when the lights turn off AUTOMATICALLY does the clock reset to 1:00.

NICE JOB TOTO!!!

ITS NOT THAT THE CLOCK IS NOT HOLDING ITS MEMORY

ITS THAT THE HID'S ARE RESETTING THE CLOCK EVERYTIME THEY TURN OFF AUTOMATICALLY.

So how do I remedy this problem????
 
It sounds like there's a large but momentary power draw or voltage drop across the battery when the lights shut off. It's just big enough to upset the clock, but other things are tolerant of it.

I don't know enough about HID's to be more specific.

At least you're on the right track now.
 
Toto~

Am I doing anyhting wrong here?

What I have hooked up:

1) Amp for Sub
2) HID 1
3) HID 2
 

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Did some research, there have been others who have experienced this same issue with their HID's...

Here is a quote:

"Basically HID bulbs take more voltage on startup than your halogen bulbs, because they are connected with your interior lights and clocks etc it draws this power from them thus causing the clocks to reset etc. By getting a relay and connecting directly to battery you solve this problem took me half hour its easy trust me and it defo works!!!! "

Doesnt my kit already have (2) relays???

Would I need to add another?
 
Well looks like I am using this thread for data keeping.

Steve proposes that I switch the grounds that I am using the HID's for.

Again, I am using the existing grounds already provided on the inner fender walls. He thinks this may be the culprit.

Also, for the sake of ruling items out, he recommends disconnecting the amp and seeing if this is the culprit.

Any suggestions?
 
Sorry... I know zero about HID kits.

Since it does seem to be a load issue, removing the amp is something worth trying.
 
When I installed my Eclipse nav I had the same problem. Toyota replaced the module under warranty without fixing it.

I finally cut the light dimmer wire going into the module leaving it at full instead of dimming when the lights were on.

That completely cured the problem and since the dim level was not that great versus bright, I was happy with the fix.

Before you ask, I no longer know what wire I cut since I no longer have my 4Runner.
 

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