the-order

Been trying to track down an issue with an aftermarket radio for months now. I installed a new Kenwood deck along with new speakers all around. I ordered the kit from Crutchfield and they sent their pre-wired harness that goes into the factory harness. The problem is the radio will at random times just shut off with no rhyme or reason. Sometimes it will come back on, other times, I have physically disconnect the radio from the harness and plug it back in to turn back on. Once the whole deck shut off and came back on but "locked up" with the lights on and didn't turn off when vehicle was powered off.

I've checked all the wires, jiggled them around, none appear to be loose or shorting out what-so-ever. I was using the factory ground so I thought that may have been the problem so I ran a new ground wire, still didn't solve the issue. I can remove the key from the ignition while its running, but that doesn't seem to effect the issue as I thought it may be that. I've tried many things to try and get it to shut off, but nothing works and it still does it at completely random times resulting in me having to pull it out of the dash.

2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport with out the infinity system

tech

Check the fuses for corrosion and that they fit tight , it could be the problem .

the-order

Those were the first thing I checked, they all fit good and look fine. When it does shut off, the audio cuts out but the lights/backlight stay on for about half a second, than turns off completely.

tech

XJ's do have problems with the ignition switch , or it can be a problem with the radio .

Heapyjeepy

Have you tried going over the wiring that crutchfield supplied. I have a feeling that the radio is hooked up to constant power instead of ignition activated power. Also another thing that could be possible. Is that since your key comes out while in the on position its possible that you are rolling the key all the way back into the accessory on position and they key just comes out like normal. I had that issue with a copied key I got with my xj. Or its possible that kenwood is just trash because i also got a kenwood radio from crutchfiled and half of the functions dont work.

the-order

I would think a problem with the ignition would cause it to shut off in a similar manner when turning off the vehicle (when its working). The Kenwood deck does a small animation thing when shutting down. However, when it shuts off randomly, it doesn't play that animation. The screen just locks for half a second and than it turns off completely.

It is hooked to the ignition power as it shuts off with the vehicle, and its not going into accessory mode with the ignition as the requires a lot of force, and 99% of the time its shut off while driving. Sometimes it works great for a few days, other times, it refuses to stay on at all, typically when warmer.

Would a short in the speaker wires cause something like this to happen? Other than when it shuts off, the deck works and all the speakers work great.

Heapyjeepy

I wouldnt think a speaker wire short would change anything other than sound output. Could try pulling the radio, hooking up a multimeter to the power supply wire and start moving things around looking for a voltage drop. maybe something is moving around and shorting while driving? While at it play with the ignition switch to see if its affecting anything.