05' WRX weird electrical problems

5yearplan · 09-21-2012, 09:02 AM

I have an 05 WRX with 85k that started acting up. The stock radio/6 cd only works briefly (less than a second) when the key is inserted and turned on, if i take the key out of the ignition it does the same thing. the display works all the time, when i press the unlock button the speakers crackle and FUSe 3 in the interior fuse box under dash blows randomly and the illumination goes out for the dash as well. The fuse is labeled radio and im sure the dash lights are somehow tied to the fuse. My question is whether the radio is bad or if this vehicle has a body integrated unit that could be bad. what cars had the BIU and is there any information as far as testing? The wiring diagrams i have dont show any wires on the radio other than power ground speakers and illum and alldata has no info on BIU. tried searching the site with no luck. any help would be appreciated thanks

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Haelan · 09-22-2012, 12:40 PM

Going to be tough to track down. I'd check the speaker wiring first and make sure a connector didn't slide off and short against the door's metal frame.

You can also unplug one speaker at a time and check if the radio stays on. If that all checks out then pull the radio and check the wiring there.

The service manual has some decent wiring diagrams you can follow. Trace it from the fuse and narrow down the culprit.

09-21-2012, 09:02 AM	#1
5yearplan Scooby Newbie Member#: 332862 Join Date: Sep 2012	05' WRX weird electrical problems I have an 05 WRX with 85k that started acting up. The stock radio/6 cd only works briefly (less than a second) when the key is inserted and turned on, if i take the key out of the ignition it does the same thing. the display works all the time, when i press the unlock button the speakers crackle and FUSe 3 in the interior fuse box under dash blows randomly and the illumination goes out for the dash as well. The fuse is labeled radio and im sure the dash lights are somehow tied to the fuse. My question is whether the radio is bad or if this vehicle has a body integrated unit that could be bad. what cars had the BIU and is there any information as far as testing? The wiring diagrams i have dont show any wires on the radio other than power ground speakers and illum and alldata has no info on BIU. tried searching the site with no luck. any help would be appreciated thanks * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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09-22-2012, 12:40 PM	#2
Haelan Scooby Specialist Member#: 151045 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NW Indiana Vehicle: 2013 Subaru STI CBP	Going to be tough to track down. I'd check the speaker wiring first and make sure a connector didn't slide off and short against the door's metal frame. You can also unplug one speaker at a time and check if the radio stays on. If that all checks out then pull the radio and check the wiring there. The service manual has some decent wiring diagrams you can follow. Trace it from the fuse and narrow down the culprit.