'00 Boxster: No radio power / accessory power

[Bry]

Hi all, new owner of a gorgeous 2000 Boxster in alpine silver. Love the car, but have a question regarding some trouble that has cropped up.

The stereo is not powering on at all... I am not certain if I had ever heard it on the test drive (I usually try to test everything, but this is a low priority), but I would like it working even if I never turn it on. The important thing (to me) is the accessory power for the cigarette lighter does not seem to be working either. This I need occasionally for work to use my GPS... Now, I am using this as an excuse to upgrade the GPS to a newer battery powered unit, but do want this going as well.

I tried looking through the fuses listed for these items under the dash, but they are not blown out. Could someone suggest an alternate means of power loss in these 2 items? I suspect they are related, but I am not positive if I had tested them pre-purchase. I would prefer to take care of this myself, but I do have a warranty for such problems available and need to bring the car in anyway - the passenger side wiper went out last week (my first week of ownership) during a heavy rainstorm... Plus, I may as well have the OBC enabled B)

Again, hello to everyone & I welcome any and all suggestions!

[RFM]

The cig.lighter should have power all the time ( key out of ignition ) check the fuse/connector/wiring.

Is the stereo stock? PCM or CDR?

[Bry]

It's a CDR-220 stereo (CD player, with a mini 5-disc changer below it). Fuses in the box on the driver's side floor look OK. I have not pulled the dash apart yet; was hoping there might be something simple like a relay for both of these items... Nothing else appears to be unpowered, just the stereo and lighter

Edited April 30, 2008 by Bry

[Tool Pants]

Sometimes fuses look good, but are actually bad. Don't just look. Use an ohm meter or swap in a good fuse.

There is also a fuse on the back of the radio. 10 amp red fuse.

Also remove the face pate and clean the contacts.

[gscojo]

Again, hello to everyone & I welcome any and all suggestions!

Fuse E1 (7.5 Amp) controls the radio.

Fuse D5 (15Amp) the lighter

There's also D9 which you may not have...controls Sound Sytem Option Pack

and E1 controls Radio Terminal 86s Alarm Control Module.........whatever that is.

I would also check the back of the radio for loose connections.

BTW....if it's what I think it is, the cd changer is nothing more than a cd holder.

[BillStL]

And now the plott thickens! I have a 1999 Boxster with a Becker CDR 220 stereo. When I put the key in and turn the key to (1) Ignition on the radio comes on. Then when the key is turned to (2) Start the radio goes off. When the car has been parked in the garage over nigtht it doesn't happen but when I leave work in the afternoon (I live in St Louis it has been cold) it does this. After the car has been driven for about 10 min. the radio will just come on. It is like the car has to warm up for the radio to come on. Sometimes if I let out on the clutch with out giveing enough gas it will just shut off sometimes it comes right back on and sometimes I have to wait. So I don't think it is a problem with the fuses.

OH by the way try pushing the EJECT button for the CD. Then once the door pops open and you close it make sure it latches on both sides I had a problem with that shutting the radio off when I first got my Boxster.

[Cassiebox]

And now the plott thickens! I have a 1999 Boxster with a Becker CDR 220 stereo. When I put the key in and turn the key to (1) Ignition on the radio comes on. Then when the key is turned to (2) Start the radio goes off. When the car has been parked in the garage over nigtht it doesn't happen but when I leave work in the afternoon (I live in St Louis it has been cold) it does this. After the car has been driven for about 10 min. the radio will just come on. It is like the car has to warm up for the radio to come on. Sometimes if I let out on the clutch with out giveing enough gas it will just shut off sometimes it comes right back on and sometimes I have to wait. So I don't think it is a problem with the fuses.

Bill- any other strange electrical occurences happening? Based on what you post above, sounds like a classic case of the ignition switch (electrical portion) starting to go bad. Definitely a DIY for $20 or so. Here's a link to the p/N# and instructions. Scroll down to post #40 by Loren for instructions:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=493

[cimbali]

We are having a similar problem with the radio in our 1999 Boxster where the radio works fine prior to starting the car. When we start the car the radio turns off and does not work. The radio only works when the car is off. Based on this thread we changed the ignition switch but still have the problem. Does anyone have a fix for this problem?

Thanks.

Edited December 29, 2010 by cimbali

[wvicary]

Try turning the ignition key back and forth a small amount. The ignition switches are prone to fail and cause many odd electrical gremlins.

[kbrandsma]

Try turning the ignition key back and forth a small amount. The ignition switches are prone to fail and cause many odd electrical gremlins.

Bump for ignition switch.

[cimbali]

Try turning the ignition key back and forth a small amount. The ignition switches are prone to fail and cause many odd electrical gremlins.

We did change the ignition switch as well as check the fuses. Still, the radio does not work when the car is started. It works fine when the key is in the accessory position.... weird!