head unit problem...please help

[80toy]

ok, i'm not big into the sound system thing, but i my head unit is giving me problems. it won't "remember" the programed stations, time, volume, or cd track if the car gets turned off, but if you just turn off the radio and not the car it will remember as long as the car is not turned off in while the radio is off.

a little while ago i was working on my steering column/light switches, and when i was done the radio had stopped working all together. turned out it it was a dead power wire. fixed that, but i can't figure out what is wrong with the unit now.

it's just a budget JVC head unit, i'm not even sure which model. i am broke, so a cheap fix, or any fix would be appreciated. thanks.

[Schmiess]

Is there a little "reset" button on it? Like a little button that can only be pushed with a paper clip? My Kenwood HU was a little screwy and the eject button wouldn't work. I hit the "reset" button and everything went back to normal. Look on the faceplate. Normally there are #s and letters. That's the model number. If you can't find a solution, call JVC tell them what's up. They can sometimes help.

[cam2Xrunner]

That's a weird one. Did this start to happen when you were working on the steering column, or has it always been like this?

[BullMarket]

Sounds like it is losing power connection (similar to disconnecting the battery). I'd venture to say it has something to do with your wiring

BULLMKT

[80toy]

after i finished my steering column, it wouldn't turn on at all. since it was still under waranty, i had circut city (i know, they suck) look at t. they guy looked at it for 5 min, and said that it wasn't getting any power because of a dead wire. he fixed the problem and it turned on and played, but it wouldn't remember any of the presets or the volume or track numbers or anything.

it did not do this before i did the work on my streeing column/light switches.

[sk8ersublime]

yea, its definately loosing power. The only time my HU lost its presets is when my battery died, and when i disconnected it.

[Liter]

When i hooked up my head unit i found that there were 2 power wires that go to it. 1 goes directly to the battery, the other is hooked up to the ignition switch. I believe the one heading to your battery could be messed up, because it will only keep presets as long as it still has power to it. Might want to take the deck out and use a volt meter. 1 power wire should have power even with the car off, the other should get power when the car is started.

[80toy]

thanks, that makes sense. i'll give it a try tonight or tommorow.