Newbie: 93 J30, No clock, radio station or HVAC memory.

[sciguy6]

Just purchased a 158,000 mile $1800 Jewel in the rough. I'm 3rd owner from what appears to be 2 previously rich and loving owners. I could not find this problem in the archives. According to past records around 2000 the radio was repaired and a couple years ago receipts show a complaint of a power draw/dead battery. The $250 fix was to pull "the clock fuse". I assume that is why there is no clock or radio/HVAC memory. Any idea of a possible relay or ground or ??? I could look for. I do have some fair electrical abilities and more important, a shop manual. Also the CD and Tape Player do not work. (CD say error and tape player won't even hold the cassette). Not sure if it's related but if not, I will be using the upgrade I saw in another post. Thanks in advance, looks like a great forum.

[puck]

Just purchased a 158,000 mile $1800 Jewel in the rough. I'm 3rd owner from what appears to be 2 previously rich and loving owners. I could not find this problem in the archives. According to past records around 2000 the radio was repaired and a couple years ago receipts show a complaint of a power draw/dead battery. The $250 fix was to pull "the clock fuse". I assume that is why there is no clock or radio/HVAC memory. Any idea of a possible relay or ground or ??? I could look for. I do have some fair electrical abilities and more important, a shop manual. Also the CD and Tape Player do not work. (CD say error and tape player won't even hold the cassette). Not sure if it's related but if not, I will be using the upgrade I saw in another post. Thanks in advance, looks like a great forum.

You are right, 'the clock fuse' is responsible for all those things and the power antenna, alarm and keyless entry, if I remember. I had an issue with that same circuit. I was being lazy while replacing the motor assembly for the antenna and shorted the circuit. Oddly enough, the fuse was fine but the whole circuit went out. I had to bypass part of the circuit and all was good again. The battery drain problem could be from any one of the different components it powers. I'm not sure where I would start first.

[sciguy6]

Thanks Puck, In the back of my mind, I will probably have to do a trace but I am hoping for a lead to a possible weak area.

[puck]

Sounds like you are replacing the radio anyway. I would disconnect the current head unit from the car and see if the drain continues. If not, then it was probably the head unit. If it does continue, then you'll have more work to do.

[sciguy6]

I figured. I don't know how quick the draw will be as I just found a receipt for the "repair". I will have to reconnect and then as you say, disconnect each part in the circuit.

[sciguy6]

I haven't had a chance to trace anything yet but is the lights on buzzer connected to the clock, radio and HVAC memory circuit? With daylights saving, now when I go to work, the trip starts dark and ends light so I forgot to turn off the lights and dead battery. Just wondering if it's another circuit to check.