My 99 TL needs the radio code like every 3 weeks entered to work. This started to happen about 3 months ago. Enter the code set the stations fine then about 3 weeks later get in car start it up radio is asking for code. Has this happened to anyone? Clock is fine and Temp control is fine as well just the radio asking for code. After code is enter it is fine just have to reset stations and then wait a 3 weeks for it to happen again - weird???

Could this mean radio is broke or dying???

Thanks.....

 

My guess is its probably something wrong with the radio. Its possible that the battery voltage drops enough to cause the radio to loose power enough to think it needs it. How old is your battery?

 

About 3 years now. Car turns over fine. Starts right up even in this cold weather.

 

Make sure the battery terminals are on the battery tight (but not too tight). Check to see if there are any loose ground wires too.

 

Load test the battery. Inspect the wiring to the radio- maybe a memory lead has a poor connection.

 

I will get a load test done on battery (etc. there) but if it was the battery or a loss wire wouldn't the clock (would be incorrect), temp control, and head seats switch all use the same wiring (housing) to get power?

 

Radio has a separate fuse and wiring. The voltage may be dropping just enough to trip the need for the code.

 

Okay THANKS! Didn't know that thought it was the same wiring (housing unit) for all 4.

So the radio wire goes right to the fuse box with its own fuse?

 

Most radios have a separate always-on 12v lead to retain the memory settings, often a yellow wire.