FJ Eating Aftermarket Stereos - Help?

My wife has an FJ that we picked up used a few years ago. Right away we installed a Pioneer AVH-4... something. Not a top of the line head unit but it wasn't cheap either. It worked properly for a few months, then had issues in the winter (wouldn't power on until the cab had warmed up on the -30C days). By the time it was a year old it's cold start issues had gotten much much worse (not working in 0C), then it eventually stopped powering up all together.

I threw it in the trash and replaced it with a cheaper JVC unit. Same thing happened. Worked great for months, winter seemed to kill it slowly, a year or more into it's decline it just stopped working all together.

Today I went out and tested the constant 12V, switched 12V, and ground at the back of the head unit and all were great, but the JVC didn't power up. Of course I also checked the fuse. Truck not running and the 12V's were reading 12.4, switched one reads 0 until I turn key to ACC. Good ground. Put the stock stereo back in and it works fine.

All connections on both aftermarket wiring harnesses were properly soldered and heat shrunk. No issues with half ass connections coming loose or anything like that.

I took the JVC apart to check for any burnt connections or other damage inside, but the board and all soldered connections looked perfect.

Only other electrical issue with the vehicle is what seems like a slightly high parasitic drain on the battery. 0.26A in off state.

Any ideas on why this thing is chewing through stereos?

 

I would recheck all those connections when it's cold and won't power up the other stereos. Its possible there is a bad connection when it's cold but as it warms up the metal expands just enough to connect. I would mostly check the adapters if you have any?

 

Pioneers are notorious for the cold weather issues. I’ve even had clients experience that way down here in Alabama, where we will rarely see “cold” weather

JVC’s have gone way down hill over the last few years.

I don’t have an answer for you, but I can at least say you’re not alone