Whenever I turn left, my music turns off (the radio unit). I can still do anything else, but the radio won't power back on for a little while. The time depends on how sharp or fast I took the turn. Nothing drastic, but pulling into my parking lot can shut it off for 5 minutes. Any ideas?

 

Does it turn off when you rotate the wheel to the left while you're parked, or just when you're moving?

 

Just when I am driving. Not parked.

 

Any ideas to even begin with?

 

Do you have an aux cord plugged in? If so see if that still works

 

I do not have an aux input. I do have a little box that has a 30 pin connector for my iPod that works but shuts off the same as the radio.

 

Apologies for the delayed response

Could be loose wire behind the nav unit with a little nick in the insulation moving when you turn left, and shorting out on a metal bracket. Then the radio has to reset, hence the delay in turning back on. A wire could've been nicked when the vaistech unit was being installed.

 

So take the unit out again and check that all wires are clear?

 

Well I suppose that depends on a couple things:

1. Did the problem start as soon as, or soon after, the vaistech unit was installed?
2. Did you install the vaistech unit yourself, or take it to a shop?

Obviously if a shop installed, take it back and see what they say. If the answer to (1) is yes, then checking the wiring would be a good place to start. Also, it may not be a bad idea to call vaistech and see if the unit could be defective and causing the issue. If (1) is no, you should probably just take it to a professional

Also, check your battery and alternator – if one isn't working properly, it can cause all kinds of weird electrical issues

 

I did the install myself. I was on geek squad installs for a few years and learned what I needed to know to do the install. That being said, I'll check for any snipped wires or wires that are exposed or pinched first. I doubt there's anything up with my battery or alternator on a fact that nothing else is happening. I'm not that concerned about the issue to pay someone to look at it.

 

Yeah in that case you effectively got a professional install!

And yeah, the issue being battery or alternator-related is unlikely. My thought process was: 1. electric power steering needs power. 2. Alternator can't meet the demand (engine RPM too low, as you probably have your foot off the gas when starting the turn), so battery fills the gap. 3. battery is on its way out and can't fully meet the demand, so the ECU cuts power to noncritical systems to reduce total system load. 4. ECU increases engine speed so alternator makes more power. 5. Radio reboots.

Lol now that I see it in writing, that there are way too many assumptions for it to be a reasonable explanation, and it doesn't explain why it happens only when turning left.

Well keep us us updated on what you find!

 

I take everything apart over the holidays when I'm off work and take a look and post my findings. Thanks for your help!

 

A common problem on 3GS the radio plug looses contact, try putting dielectric grease on it

 

Would that cut power to the whole radio unit? or just the radio? And what do you mean the plug? As in the harness plug (the large/main one)?

 

Yes the rear connect plug for the radio in the back. When you go to take apart the radio, I would put some of that grease on it also you may also be able to take some electrical spray cleaner and spray the volume button in the back.