stereo turning on by itself - key out

[free]

So my stereo is coming on by itself now when I have the key out of the car. I have an 88 325ic and pioneer head unit that is just a few months old.

It will go from no power to on. I don't think it is the stereo itself because it has a permanent display when the car is on. It goes from a zero power state to full power state.

It is a glitchy thing - my power antenna runs up and down all the time, sometimes getting all the way closed, sometimes going all the way up.

Any and all help is appreciated!

[Cabriolet]

sounds like a short in your wiring. pop the unit out and check all the voltages of the wires with the car on and off. then you can see if its the unit or your wiring harness/ignition going bad.

[free]

Ok, just back in town. Can't find my voltmeter, but I will keep looking.

If i turn on a blinker with the key out, the stereo loses power. turn blinker off, stereo gets power again. When the blinker is on there is static/feedback through the speakers... Not too sure what.where sound is. just didn't sound good so i turned off the blinker.

If I barely touch the brake pedal, just enough to engage the brake light switch, the stereo loses power.

I will keep looking around, but any and all ideas are appreciated.

[5Toes]

Must be a relay hen

[free]

I have been trying to run it down. WHen i engage the blinker the noise is actually the blinker relay tripping so quickly on and off that it buzzes. Any ideas on what relay it might be to cause the problem?

[free]

ok, got the stereo to stay off. didn't really do anything except check a whole lot of stuff. But the blinker relay still buzzes.

and now my high beams are always on when i turn the car on. The gas gauge goes to empty if i pull the blinker stalk, and dips a little if i push it. stupid car.

[free]

oops, managed to lose the fuse for fuse #10. high beam issued fixed. still don't understand the blinker issue. doesn't seem like it should even get power with the key off...

[AndrewBird]

There is something wired wrong or a short somewhere. Pull the radio and take a look at the wiring. My guess is it will be very obvious.

[free]

There is something wired wrong or a short somewhere. Pull the radio and take a look at the wiring. My guess is it will be very obvious.

That is what I thought. but i couldn't find it. And everything worked great for a couple of months after getting the stereo.

Anyway, I took it to a shop. I am gonna get it smoke tested, also, because I still can't smooth the idle out. surges a lot, which suggests a vac leak to me.