Help! Radio and wipers don't work randomly at startup

Bottom Feeder · 03-31-2007, 12:30 PM

As the title says- Once in a while when I start my car, both the radio and windshield wipers have no power to them. The only way to get it back is to turn off the car and restart. Does anyone know if they use the same circuit and/or ground? It obviously can't be a fuse problem or they would never work. If it's something loose, I would assume they would stop working once the car is already moving and getting jostled around, but the opposite is true.

None of the wiring in my car has even been touched. No aftermarket stereo or lights or anything.

Any ideas? Thanks.

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sxotty · 03-31-2007, 03:24 PM

I just want to say good luck that sounds like a very tricky iffy problem. Sounds like a switch kind of problem more than anything else if they work once they start and jostling doesn't change em.

Maybe something on accessory circuit? Does the cigarette lighter work when this happens? If not it is probably the ignition circuit. I checked for you and the Wiper does get power through ACC circuit.

Bottom Feeder · 03-31-2007, 05:21 PM

Thanks. I'll have to do a quick check to see what is not working (besides these two) the next time it happens. I know the blower motor isn't affected, but that's all I've tried.

I just remembered that the CD player has power, but not the stereo. WTF?

Bottom Feeder · 04-02-2007, 06:40 AM

Bump for the day crew.

Bottom Feeder · 04-05-2007, 10:37 AM

Anyone...?

Bottom Feeder · 04-14-2007, 08:57 PM

Crap.

Meat Supply · 04-16-2007, 09:07 PM

kinda sounds like maybe your ignition switch inernals could be going.not making that accssory conatct sometimes

does jiggling your ignition switch help any?

Bottom Feeder · 05-05-2007, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skateboy16

kinda sounds like maybe your ignition switch inernals could be going.not making that accssory conatct sometimes

does jiggling your ignition switch help any?

Bingo. It happened again last night, so I moved the key around in the switch and the radio and wipers came on and off a few times. Great.

So... how the hell do I fix that?

Bottom Feeder · 05-07-2007, 02:51 PM

It's been getting bad very quickly. Yesterday I could barely make my wipers and radio come on.

SoobATV · 05-07-2007, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bottom Feeder

Bingo. It happened again last night, so I moved the key around in the switch and the radio and wipers came on and off a few times. Great.

So... how the hell do I fix that?

I'd urge someone to correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd think the only fix would be replacement of the electrical internals of the ignition switch. Should be an easy job, I'd expect.

Bottom Feeder · 05-07-2007, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoobATV

I'd urge someone to correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd think the only fix would be replacement of the electrical internals of the ignition switch. Should be an easy job, I'd expect.

Yeah, I'm thinking replacing the whole switch will be easy, just not that cheap. Oh, well.

s-t-izzle · 05-07-2007, 09:54 PM

it is definitely the ignition switch, jic that hadn't been established already. i've seen this many times in the past, not necessarily with subies tho.

changing out the ignition switch may turn out to be quite the task. i've never performed this on a suby before, but have on other vehicles. it may require you to disassemble most of the steering wheel column and possibly drop the column from the dash. consult some "mechanically inclined" friends if you're having doubt in your ability or resolve

03-31-2007, 12:30 PM	#1
Bottom Feeder Scooby Specialist Member#: 2808 Join Date: Nov 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Occupied Virginia	Help! Radio and wipers don't work randomly at startup As the title says- Once in a while when I start my car, both the radio and windshield wipers have no power to them. The only way to get it back is to turn off the car and restart. Does anyone know if they use the same circuit and/or ground? It obviously can't be a fuse problem or they would never work. If it's something loose, I would assume they would stop working once the car is already moving and getting jostled around, but the opposite is true. None of the wiring in my car has even been touched. No aftermarket stereo or lights or anything. Any ideas? Thanks. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

04-16-2007, 09:07 PM	#7
Meat Supply Scooby Specialist Member#: 137902 Join Date: Jan 2007 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: traverse city, Mi skeletor Vehicle: ---- washed away a dream of you	kinda sounds like maybe your ignition switch inernals could be going.not making that accssory conatct sometimes does jiggling your ignition switch help any? Last edited by Meat Supply; 04-16-2007 at 09:16 PM.

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03-31-2007, 03:24 PM	#2
sxotty Scooby Specialist Member#: 95600 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pittsburgh Vehicle: 2003 WRX wagon Silver	I just want to say good luck that sounds like a very tricky iffy problem. Sounds like a switch kind of problem more than anything else if they work once they start and jostling doesn't change em. Maybe something on accessory circuit? Does the cigarette lighter work when this happens? If not it is probably the ignition circuit. I checked for you and the Wiper does get power through ACC circuit.

03-31-2007, 05:21 PM	#3
Bottom Feeder Scooby Specialist Member#: 2808 Join Date: Nov 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Occupied Virginia	Thanks. I'll have to do a quick check to see what is not working (besides these two) the next time it happens. I know the blower motor isn't affected, but that's all I've tried. I just remembered that the CD player has power, but not the stereo. WTF?

04-02-2007, 06:40 AM	#4
Bottom Feeder Scooby Specialist Member#: 2808 Join Date: Nov 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Occupied Virginia	Bump for the day crew.

04-05-2007, 10:37 AM	#5
Bottom Feeder Scooby Specialist Member#: 2808 Join Date: Nov 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Occupied Virginia	Anyone...?

04-14-2007, 08:57 PM	#6
Bottom Feeder Scooby Specialist Member#: 2808 Join Date: Nov 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Occupied Virginia	Crap.

05-07-2007, 02:51 PM	#9
Bottom Feeder Scooby Specialist Member#: 2808 Join Date: Nov 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Occupied Virginia	It's been getting bad very quickly. Yesterday I could barely make my wipers and radio come on.

05-07-2007, 09:54 PM	#12
s-t-izzle Scooby Newbie Member#: 145230 Join Date: Apr 2007 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: SA TX 210.825.1438 Vehicle: 05 STi Stage 2 -- Aspen White	it is definitely the ignition switch, jic that hadn't been established already. i've seen this many times in the past, not necessarily with subies tho. changing out the ignition switch may turn out to be quite the task. i've never performed this on a suby before, but have on other vehicles. it may require you to disassemble most of the steering wheel column and possibly drop the column from the dash. consult some "mechanically inclined" friends if you're having doubt in your ability or resolve