Car Stereos: 2000 Pontiac sunfire stereo, pontiac sunfire, 2000 pontiac sunfire

Question
QUESTION: I just baught a used 2000 Pontiac Sunfire and it appears to have the stock stereo, but when the ignition is off the radio will stay on. You can turn the radio off and on even if doors have been opened and closed. It stays on for approximately 15 - 20 minutes and kills my battery. Do you have any idea what could be causing this? Your answer will be most appreciated. Thank you for your time, Willam.

ANSWER: Hi William,

The most likely answer is that your vehicle's door pin switches aren't working.  When you open the driver's door, does your dome light turn on?  Your radio works with the vehicle's data bus to stay on until the door is opened; if the system can't tell that the door has been opened, then it won't turn off.  The door pin switch should be mounted at the front of the door opening.

If your dome light is turning on and off with the door, but the radio isn't responding, then there may be an internal problem with the radio.

Hope this helps!

Brian



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The dome light does not come on when the driver door is opened, however it does come on when the passenger and two back doors are open, yet the radio stays on. Would be the same thing or an internal problem? And also how could this be fixed?

Answer
William,

I'd be willing to bet that the driver's door pin switch is the source of the problem.  The solution is to replace the switch; this is a small and inexpensive part, and should be fairly simple to replace.  It's located in the door jamb at the front of the door opening.  

If you can locate the wiring going to the back of the pin switch, you can temporarily ground the door switch wire and see if it turns the radio off.  The wire should be green with a black stripe.  When the door is opened, the wire is supposed to be connected to chassis ground through the switch.  You can strip away a bit of the insulation, connect a jumper lead, and touch the other end of the jumper to a metal part under the dash.  This will simulate opening the door, and your radio should shut off if the key is off.

Hope this helps!

Brian