Stock head unit issues! Cuts off after a few seconds - asks for code?

[E36DJ]

What the hell could cause this? It's so weird, does the HU have some sort of internal protection circuit? It couldn't be too bad because all the high current stuff is in the back with the amp where the speaker level wiring goes to. Sometimes it turns on, sometimes it doesn't. When it does turn on it will ask for the code (which I've memorized by now) then shuts off up to a minute later. After a few minutes I can try again and have it work sometimes. I thought it was a loose connection, but after I parked and shut off the car (and got out) I got it to work, knowing nothing was moving...it still shut off eventually! Now I'm totally lost.

Thoughts?

[E36DJ]

bump

[slcook54]

Free bump for a nice car, run the codes, if you run the codes I'll look it up in the Bentley for you.

[kdc]

I thought it was a loose connection, but after I parked and shut off the car (and got out) I got it to work, knowing nothing was moving...it still shut off eventually! Now I'm totally lost.

Thoughts?

my first thought is to tell you that even though the car is not moving, a bad connection can still cut in and out all by itself without any outside force.

sounds like you are losing, and then regaining power, OR losing and then regaining your ground (which really would mean the same thing i guess).

so, pull the headunit out, check that all the connections are good. then start tracking down the ground and power wires . . . and make sure they are tight. my guess is a bad ground.

rereading your question now, do you have an aftermarket system hooked up to the stock HU? please explain.