TraceyC

Radio is draining battery. Same think happened in previous car Pontiac Vibe. Any suggestions.

ruley73

How do you know it's the radio that's draining the battery?

Do you still have the factory radio installed?

Chevrolet Customer Service

Hello TraceyC,

We apologize for the inconvenience related to your battery. Have you contacted a certified GM dealership to address your concern? We'd be more than happy to look into this further and reach out to the dealership on your behalf. Feel free to send us a private message containing your VIN, mileage, contact information, and preferred dealership if this is something you'd like to move forward with.

Thanks!

Jasmine F
Chevrolet Customer Care

TraceyC

The factory radio is still installed. The radio has been on the out a couple of times. The main screen will totally go blank for days, otr flitter so you barely see it. As long as radio is completely off there is not as much a pull on the battery. But if the radio is left on, my car wont start.

ruley73

The way your Equinox is designed, the radio is turned off automatically once the key is turned off and 10 minutes passes or the driver door is opened (whichever comes first). However, after it is turned off automatically the radio can be turned back on again by pressing the power button (even if the key is turned OFF), and will turn off automatically again after 10 minutes. Some GM radios radios can stay on longer than 10 minutes if there are any additional inputs because any input or adjustments made on the radio resets the 10 minute timer.

The last sentence is important because your radio may be staying on because the touchscreen might be detecting false touches which would keep resetting the timer. See the attached TSB below.

#PI0049_ Radio Touch Screen Unresponsive - Feb 26, 2010.pdf