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intermittent connection problem for the radio power at the battery terminal
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safeport
New User
Jan 25, 2012, 6:09 PM
Post #1 of 8
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intermittent connection problem for the radio power at the battery terminal
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Having trouble finding an intermittent connection problem for the radio power at the battery terminal. Replaced the battery terminals and now can't get the radio on again, first encountered the problem when replacing the battery - got it back on and now after replacing the terminals, it's off again. Fuses checked out fine.
1998 Toyota Camry LE
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 27, 2012, 1:24 PM
Post #2 of 8
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Re: intermittent connection problem for the radio power at the battery terminal
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Do you mean bat+ constant power at the fuse box to keep memory for the radio? Aftermarket hook up?
T
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safeport
New User
Jan 27, 2012, 6:28 PM
Post #3 of 8
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Re: intermittent connection problem for the radio power at the battery terminal
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Thanks for your reply ~ it's original equipment. My assumption is that there is a direct feed from the positive terminal on the battery (two separate wires attach, one from the main harness and a single white wire which i assume must be for the radio). When i first changed the battery, there was no power to the radio, then when i grabbed and twisted the positive connections to the terminal about a week later, the radio came back to life. The terminal connectors were pretty badly corroded and also original equipment, and since it was difficult to get a good consistent connection (had to grab and twist several times just to get power to the car) i decided to replace the connectors. Once i did that, and cleaned up the tabs that screw into the top post terminal connectors, the radio lost power again and i've not been able to get it to come back on again - checked fuses and still no power.
I'm wondering if the power feed for the radio has a broken wire somewhere. Not sure where to start checking that out and decided to see if someone had any ideas of where to go from here. You appear to know what you're talking about regarding power to keep the memory.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 28, 2012, 2:51 AM
Post #4 of 8
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Re: intermittent connection problem for the radio power at the battery terminal
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I couldn't possibly know the configuration of everything out there and when what changed by what company. The radio must have some trickle power just to remember your presets and usually a clock.
It's hard to believe that is unfused so it would be highly likely to be at an interior fuse box and on to where radio plugs into harness.
The lack of power in some (doubt this car but can't say for sure) can render a radio useless unless a code is entered as a theft deterrent and also to annoy owners that can't find it.
OK: You cleaned up a common mess at battery frequently covered so you may be unaware of how bad by sight until there's a problem with power for much of anything.
That trickle to maintain a clock and plain radio presets is so small it's essentially insignificant. Check for the fuse for it and test the fuse for power at both sides. If intermittent it's rare but fuses can appear good and not be with a small crack in the wire inside that should blow if needed. A surge or who knows could aggravate it so it must be checked for power and especially when NOT working would be a great find if just at a fuse,
T
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safeport
New User
Feb 1, 2012, 1:00 PM
Post #5 of 8
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Re: intermittent connection problem for the radio power at the battery terminal
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OK, so i'm still without radio ...
Tested for power on both sides of the fuse (12v when tested against neg terminal of the battery), this against a tested new 20a fuse ... all in the engine compartment.
Replaced the 7.5a inside the interior compartment with a new tested fuse.
Both replaced fuses tested positive, but replaced anyway due to age and possible contaminants on the tangs.
HISTORY:
Changed out the old battery the first week of December, 2011. Old terminal connectors were not replaced at the time and there was corrosion which i cleaned up prior to re-attaching to the new battery. Was not able to get a good tight fit on the positive terminal and decided to live with it until i time to replace the connectors. Result of the battery change out was loss of power to the radio.
By the second week of January, following several periods of cold to mild weather, I found myself having complete loss of power numerous times and had to pop the hood and twist the positive connector to obtain a good enough connection to restart the car. Much to my surprise, the first time i did this the radio came back on. [one annoyance was that every time i had to tweak the connector to get started was that the car alarm would activate]
Finally after too many inconveniences with popping the hood multiple times a day, i went and got some new connectors. I did not change out the crimped screw down connectors that attach to the two wires themselves, but did clean them up good before attaching them to the new battery terminal connectors. The result of this operation was the loss of power to the radio again, but everything else is just fine now.
NEXT STEP:
I guess the only thing i can do next is cut and trim back all the wires and put new crimped connectors on the wires to attach to the new terminal connectors.
Would you happen to know anything else about how to find the actual wiring diagram for this car? Or any other recommendations as to how to proceed from here to get the radio powered up again?
1998 Toyota Camry LE 4 cylinder
Thanks, BoB
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 2, 2012, 1:19 AM
Post #6 of 8
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Re: intermittent connection problem for the radio power at the battery terminal
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Car alarm says it all. You disconnected battery for any reason you either use memory back up or know the codes or all bets off,
T
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safeport
New User
Feb 2, 2012, 7:31 AM
Post #7 of 8
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Re: intermittent connection problem for the radio power at the battery terminal
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The car alarm was installed by the dealer - was originally a leased car, one owner before i bought it 2001.
The alarm went off every time that i had to twist the positive terminal, and every time the radio presets were gone, BUT, the radio came back on so i'm not sure how that affects the current situation. There are NO codes that i'm aware of, nor anywhere to set such codes for this alarm; other than to activate and deactivate with the clicker.
Guess that i could try activating and deactivating the alarm several times to see if that somehow turns the radio back on.
The only thing "after market" on this car that i'm aware of is the engine, which i had replaced in 2009.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 3, 2012, 3:15 AM
Post #8 of 8
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Re: intermittent connection problem for the radio power at the battery terminal
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There's no way we can figure a hacked in (likely even at a dealer) alarm system, now old and cause owners the problems. I believe that's where you troubles are especially since you didn't use a battery back up for touching the battery,
T
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