Ignition off, stereo stays on..

[kevin mn]

Alright, I have another weird one here. Just noticed it after returning home from work yesterday. When I parked the Libby, engine dead and key REMOVED from ignition, my stereo stayed on. if I put the key back in and just nudge it to the on, without starting, it turns off. When removing the key, it turned back on (yet nothing else worked.) The Jeep still starts and runs but now the stereo stays on. At the same time, I also noticed the keyfob no longer activates the alarm. The doors lock and unlock fine but no flashing of the lights and no beep from the horn as before. I'm thinking ignition switch??? I don't know but I'm scheduling a appt. with the dealer to see what they know. Anyone experienced this? And if so, what was the problem?

 

[kevin mn]

Update: just pulled the fuse to the stereo to kill it while the vehicle is parked. The stereo still stayed on.

 

[LibertyTC]

If it is the stock OEM stereo, it should turn off when key is removed.
Probably worn tumblers/ignition switch. Dealer should be able to fix it.
As far as the key fob, it may also have something to do with the ignition however, have you checked the battery in the fob? Those little batteries should be changed every 2 years.
Let us know how it goes at dealer please.

 

[kevin mn]

The head unit is a aftermarket Kenwood system which was installed prior to me buying the vehicle. I've had the Libby for about 2 years now and I've never removed the unit from the dash. I've never experienced this before; the wife finds it creepy that after parking at the grocery store and removed the key from the ignition, the stereo turned off and then back on. Now she won't drive it. . .

 

[MarkJ]

If the radio is the only thing staying on they may have wired it wrong.

 

[profdlp]

Update: just pulled the fuse to the stereo to kill it while the vehicle is parked. The stereo still stayed on.

Which fuse?

If it's the inline fuse on the wire to the radio itself, well... oooooohhhhh (spooky sounds effects)

If it's a fuse in the fuse compartment then you likely got the wrong one. There have been a number of instances where the manual did not match up with reality when it came to fuse labeling.

EDIT:

If the radio is the only thing staying on they may have wired it wrong.

Great point. For all you know they tapped into the emergency light wiring or something.

 

[CactusJacked]

Update: just pulled the fuse to the stereo to kill it while the vehicle is parked. The stereo still stayed on.

The radio has 2 power sources; the main one that is switched on and off with the ignition, and one that is live all the time to retain the clock and station memory presets. Sounds like the installer must have wired it to the continuous live wire, but that still doesn't explain your ignition and fob gremlins.

 

[ftaa]

if the HU stays on you have acc and +12 crossed.

edit assuming you used a wiring harness and not hacked the factory harness apart.