I know how it feels to have carefully adjusted your stereo to your ideal settings only to have it all disappear. Isn’t it annoying when, after all the time you put into adjusting it, your car stereo automatically resets itself to its factory settings? Do you keep on thinking why does my car stereo keep resetting?
It is difficult to sit through a silent ride when moments ago you were having the time of your life, showing off all the new music that you found to your best friend sitting in the passenger seat.
Your car stereo resetting not only erases the settings you had adjusted it to but also immediately cuts off your music. Now you have a silent ride back home and the dreadful moment of reaching back and telling your parents that something went wrong, again!
Why keep adjusting your stereo settings only for it to reset over and over when you can easily solve this problem. All you have to do is identify the issue and follow the steps to solve that very issue.
Not every problem in the world has an easy to find and do solution, but luckily for you, this one does.
Why Your Car Stereo Keeps Resetting – Problems & Their Solutions
Memory Wire Malfunction
Usually, when your car stereo resets itself or has trouble working properly, it is due to the fact that there is some poor connection in the memory wire. As your car stereo is quite sensitive, any mishaps in this connection can cause problems.
You will be able to easily identify the memory wire. It is a thin yellow coloured wire that is connected to the stereo. This wire stores all the current in it at all times. Thus, a poor connection leads to poor current flow.
This wire is what provides your stereo with current and is responsible for the settings of the stereo such as the time it displays or the radio frequency. Any disturbance to this wire will lead to your stereo resetting or not working.
Along with checking the yellow wire, make sure to check the red wire too. It is this wire that provides the car stereo with power. If this wire is disconnected or loose, your stereo will not work.
Open your stereo and check on the wires. If they are torn or disconnected, you can repair them easily. Cut the cord, twist it and attach it again. If it still does not work, then the cables need to be replaced.
Once you have checked all your wires and repaired or replaced the cables, your car stereo will work once again. Make sure that they are positioned in such a way that they do not get disturbed again or your stereo may once start resetting itself.
Problems with the Fuse
The fuse is what provides your car stereo with voltage and voltage is necessary for the stereo to function efficiently. Just as you need your nutrients and energy to make it through the day, your car stereo needs to be given enough energy for it to work.
As mentioned before, car stereos are very sensitive and even minor issues can hamper their proper functioning. If your car stereo does not get enough voltage, it will automatically switch off.
To see if it is the fuse causing problems, check its connections. All the wires should be in place and in case they aren’t, join them again. If this does not work, then it is time to invest in a new fuse as this one is beyond repair.
First, you will have to identify the fuse panel. This can be located by referring to your car’s manual. The most common locations are on the side of the dashboard of the driver’s seat, under the dashboard, or the hood of your car.
Once again, referring to the manual, once you have identified which fuse is causing the issue, you can work on replacing it. Using a fuse puller, or a pair of tweezers or your fingers as a substitute, pull the wire out.
If the fuse has been burned through, you will have to replace it with a new one. Keep in mind that the new fuse should have the same ampere rating and perform the same functions as the previous one.
Now that the fuse has been replaced, you can put the fuse panel back where it belongs and check your stereo to see if you have eradicated the problem.
It is very easy to repair or replace the fuse and once you do, your car stereo will be working as good as new. You can also use fuse holders to protect the fuse of your car stereo, preventing any form of damage.
Issues with the Stereo Head Unit
Another reason for your car stereo to keep resetting is a malfunction in the head unit. This is the most important unit of the car stereo. If the wires of the head unit are not matched and connected properly or are entangled, your stereo will not function smoothly.
You will need to examine the head unit carefully and ensure that the wires have been taped properly. The wires and the butt connectors should be in a good condition as well. Some car stereo head units have a built-in fuse, it is important to know if yours does too.
You must tape the wires properly and place butt connectors to give your stereo access to maximum power. If the built-in fuse is the reason for the faulty working of your car stereo, it will need to be replaced.
Loss of Power
This usually happens when the engine cranks. It is a common problem and you will know when the engine is cranking because a warning appears on the car stereo. This causes the stereo to shut off and reset.
When your engine cranks after starting your car, it drains the battery from the stereo. However, due to this very reason, all stereos are fitted with a capacitor in them. This capacitor provides the stereo with backup power in such a situation.
If this power is not given to the stereo, it means that the capacitor is faulty or is unable to work properly anymore. The only solution to this is to replace the old capacitor with a new one.
Problems Caused by the Resetting of Your Car Stereo
There are two main problems that the resetting of your car speaker will cause:
- The car stereo will start and restart on its own
- The stereo will work but the music will get cut off
A lack of voltage and power or faulty wiring is what usually causes the stereo to start and restart itself. If the music cuts off despite the stereo working fine, there is a problem with its wiring. The wires could have not been fixed in properly, they could have burned or they could have come loose and disconnected.
Conclusion
The simplest solution to avoid all these issues is to take good care of your car stereo. Do not overwork it and maintain its good condition. However, if any of the problems given above occur, you now know the solution to the same.
Now that you have fixed your car stereo and prevented it from resetting, you can once again enjoy your uninterrupted music. If the same problems arise again, all you have to do is keep calm and fix the situation using the tips and tricks you have learned.
Don’t worry because you will be back to playing your music and having a good time driving soon, with no issues to interrupt your fun!