Radio Wont Come On... Or Go Off - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Iron Lung Jimmy · 11-20-2014, 07:36 AM

This morning I get in the car and start it up. It cranked unusually slow, but started. Then I get the message 2 Keys Programmed and it wants me to open and close the passenger window. I have no idea what that's about but do as I'm told and the message goes away.

So OK but now the radio screen is blank and it wont come on. All I get is a dull glow. None of the buttons or knobs work except the volume. If I turn the volume knob the screen indicates volume level like normal except of course there is no sound to begin with.

Then I try to turn it off. Nothing... still the dull glow.

Then I shut the car off and open the door... still the dull glow.

All the other interior lights go on and off as normal.

Anybody know what's going on?

At the very least, what fuse do I pull to cut power to the radio?

Car is a 2010 SS.

Rock-It Man · 11-20-2014, 12:37 PM

Low voltage, time for a new battery?

Angrybird 12 · 11-20-2014, 12:44 PM

I would think the alternator should keep the voltage up when running, unless the battery has a short in one of the cells pulling it down....I am leaning towards the altenator being bad. The radio dying is usually a good sign.

MATTESONDM · 11-20-2014, 12:48 PM

The only time I got that message is when I disconnected the battery to do the CAI. Sounds like your alternator isn't holding the voltage.

Iron Lung Jimmy · 11-20-2014, 06:48 PM

Not wanting to drain the battery while at work I disconnected it for the day. Hooked it up this evening to come home and the car started right up and everything worked normally.

But searching around I found that the 2 keys programmed message seems to come up in low voltage situations which, given that the car was slow to turn over this morning, makes sense.

So since I was going to replace the battery anyway, being that it is five years old, I went to O'Reilly's and got a new one. ($185

)

Also had them check the alternator... which was fine.

Hopefully it was just a matter of a battery on its way out.

lawdog · 11-21-2014, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron Lung Jimmy

Not wanting to drain the battery while at work I disconnected it for the day. Hooked it up this evening to come home and the car started right up and everything worked normally.

But searching around I found that the 2 keys programmed message seems to come up in low voltage situations which, given that the car was slow to turn over this morning, makes sense.

So since I was going to replace the battery anyway, being that it is five years old, I went to O'Reilly's and got a new one. ($185

)

Also had them check the alternator... which was fine.

Hopefully it was just a matter of a battery on its way out.

yeah you can spend on the average 125 -195 for a battery. sometimes the dealerships have a special at 125 and the battery they are pumping out is a bit stronger then the one that came with the car I noticed on its CCA.

camguynj · 11-21-2014, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron Lung Jimmy

Not wanting to drain the battery while at work I disconnected it for the day. Hooked it up this evening to come home and the car started right up and everything worked normally.

But searching around I found that the 2 keys programmed message seems to come up in low voltage situations which, given that the car was slow to turn over this morning, makes sense.

So since I was going to replace the battery anyway, being that it is five years old, I went to O'Reilly's and got a new one. ($185

)

Also had them check the alternator... which was fine.

Hopefully it was just a matter of a battery on its way out.

Was the battery ever tested for volts and/or cranking amps at startup ?

John Deere Boy · 12-22-2014, 03:31 PM

Late to the thread, but i had a faulty negative battery connection that wouldn't tighten to the post properly. Had to do some grinding to get get it to tighten.

Iron Lung Jimmy · 12-22-2014, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camguynj

Was the battery ever tested for volts and/or cranking amps at startup ?

When I took the old battery in they did try to test it, but couldn't because it was low on charge... which was odd since I had just driven for 30 minutes.

Once they charged it, it tested good. So I thought it was the alternator.

I bought the new battery anyway, went home and installed it, then drove the car back and had them test the alternator. It was fine.

So now it is one month later and no problems.

camguynj · 12-22-2014, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron Lung Jimmy

When I took the old battery in they did try to test it, but couldn't because it was low on charge... which was odd since I had just driven for 30 minutes.

Once they charged it, it tested good. So I thought it was the alternator.

I bought the new battery anyway, went home and installed it, then drove the car back and had them test the alternator. It was fine.

So now it is one month later and no problems.

Good! Looks like it was a weak battery after all. Thanks for posting an update.

11-20-2014, 07:36 AM	#1
Iron Lung Jimmy Drives: Iron Lung, Jimmy Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,469	Radio Wont Come On... Or Go Off This morning I get in the car and start it up. It cranked unusually slow, but started. Then I get the message 2 Keys Programmed and it wants me to open and close the passenger window. I have no idea what that's about but do as I'm told and the message goes away. So OK but now the radio screen is blank and it wont come on. All I get is a dull glow. None of the buttons or knobs work except the volume. If I turn the volume knob the screen indicates volume level like normal except of course there is no sound to begin with. Then I try to turn it off. Nothing... still the dull glow. Then I shut the car off and open the door... still the dull glow. All the other interior lights go on and off as normal. Anybody know what's going on? At the very least, what fuse do I pull to cut power to the radio? Car is a 2010 SS.

11-20-2014, 12:44 PM	#3
Angrybird 12 7 year Cancer Survivor! Drives: 17 Cruze RS, 07 G6 GT, 99 Astro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 21,547	I would think the alternator should keep the voltage up when running, unless the battery has a short in one of the cells pulling it down....I am leaning towards the altenator being bad. The radio dying is usually a good sign. __________________ Cancer's a bitch! Enjoy life while you can! LIVE, LOVE, DRIVE... The Bird is the word!

11-20-2014, 12:48 PM	#4
MATTESONDM Drives: 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Indian Head, MD Posts: 307	The only time I got that message is when I disconnected the battery to do the CAI. Sounds like your alternator isn't holding the voltage. __________________ 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10

11-20-2014, 06:48 PM	#5
Iron Lung Jimmy Drives: Iron Lung, Jimmy Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,469	Update Not wanting to drain the battery while at work I disconnected it for the day. Hooked it up this evening to come home and the car started right up and everything worked normally. But searching around I found that the 2 keys programmed message seems to come up in low voltage situations which, given that the car was slow to turn over this morning, makes sense. So since I was going to replace the battery anyway, being that it is five years old, I went to O'Reilly's and got a new one. ($185 ) Also had them check the alternator... which was fine. Hopefully it was just a matter of a battery on its way out.

12-22-2014, 03:31 PM	#8
John Deere Boy I bleed green Drives: '11 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Centerville, Indiana Posts: 462 View My Garage	Late to the thread, but i had a faulty negative battery connection that wouldn't tighten to the post properly. Had to do some grinding to get get it to tighten. __________________ 2011 2SS/RS LS3. Delivered 4/18/11. Solo Axle-back with J-pipes and quads, 35% tint, Yellow trim kit, Showstopper sidemarkers, babied garage queen. 2006 Silverado 3500 6.0, 1993 Pontiac Bonneville SSE

11-20-2014, 12:37 PM	#2
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,033 View My Garage	Low voltage, time for a new battery?