Radio comes on by itself

[H2OBoy]

Over the past few days the radio in my boat has come on by itself for no reason. The first time I woke up in the morning and heard music coming from the garage. I cut it off and figured something in the glove box moved and hit the power button. Today my wife comes home and the radio is on again. Any ideas? This is my third year with the boat and never had this happen before. I searched the forum but could not find anything.

 

[JC6275]

Is there an alarm clock feature or a timer on your radio??

 

[H2OBoy]

If there is it is news to me and I would have had to set it by mistake. Unfortunately I am out of town at the moment and cannot check this to be sure.

 

[JC6275]

If there is it is news to me and I would have had to set it by mistake. Unfortunately I am out of town at the moment and cannot check this to be sure.

It was just a thought, some stereos I've seen have an alarm or timer that kicks the unit on.

 

[octavio3311]

I remember reading about many issues with that particular JBL stereo. If memory serves me right - I think it was the JBL MR145 - I think? I remember most people changing it out.

 

[jawsf16]

The original jbl remote on my boat went haywire and started jacking up,the volume crazy style at random times. Could be a short in the remote...

 

[0627Devildog]

Ghosts?

 

[itsdgm]

I'm pretty sure it's what @jawsf16 said. More than likely a short in the swim deck remote. You could try to diagnose it by unplugging the remote from the back side of the head unit.

 

[octavio3311]

Ghosts?

All kidding aside - that would freak me out. Knowing I turned it off - just to find it back on! That's the marine version of "Christine".

 

[octavio3311]

Unless he added it - the 2012 AR/SX 190's didn't come with a stern remote. Just the stereo in the glovebox.

 

[itsdgm]

Unless he added it - the 2012 AR/SX 190's didn't come with a stern remote. Just the stereo in the glovebox.

I wasn't aware of that. It must be a ghost then!!! Or maybe less likely a short somewhere in the head unit, or stray signals if it has a wireless remote capabilities. Either way, it's One more reason to put a battery disconnect switch on it.

 

[Magic]

Have you tried totally disconnecting the power from the unit, then seeing if that makes a difference? I've seen this before and by removing all power "something" resets and proper functioning is restored.....

Still would add a battery cut off as @itsdgm suggests, .....and while you are back there, add a second battery.

 

[H2OBoy]

Thanks for all of the replies. I have not tried disconnecting the battery but I will as I will be back in town this evening. The battery is new as of a month ago so there could be an issue there I suppose. Other than that the only other variable is that the boat was serviced a week ago, although I'm not sure what the dealer could have done to affect the radio.

 

[Zarrella]

Maybe.....your wife is trying to have you commited!!

 

[H2OBoy]

Maybe.....your wife is trying to have you commited!!

That is highly probable.

 

[H2OBoy]

Any recommendations on a battery disconnect?

 

[Britboater]

Do you not have an isolation switch next to the battery ? Mines tucked up on the engine side.

 

[Jump Right In]

Likewise, I had the swim deck remote cause major issues, radio coming on, radio turning up to full volume, etc... however, if you don't have a swim deck remote, this is probably not your problem!

 

[bucks448]

@H2OBoy - same boat and year, mine started doing that towards the end of last year...it's completely dead now. These are car radios with tape over the top to make them water resistant. Salt air kills them quick, as does probably any humid air. It's not a remote, even if you added one. I'm researching a replacement.