# 2016 Hyundai Sonata - Radio cycles off and on

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-hyundai-sonata-radio-cycles-off-and-on/174569>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** hyundai\
**Created:** [January 28, 2021, 5:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-hyundai-sonata-radio-cycles-off-and-on/174569 "2021-01-28T17:45:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![arkiecuss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e95f7d/32.png) [@arkiecuss](https://community.cartalk.com/u/arkiecuss)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2021, 5:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-hyundai-sonata-radio-cycles-off-and-on/174569/1 "2021-01-28T17:45:00Z")

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the radio will shut off for 3 seconds then turn back on. repeat. as long as the car is running.

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**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2021, 7:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-hyundai-sonata-radio-cycles-off-and-on/174569/2 "2021-01-28T19:52:28Z")

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> **[Crutchfield: Car Stereo, Speakers, Home Theater, Pro Audio, 4k TV](https://www.crutchfield.com/S-0iWNAjkYENm/)**

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**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\
**Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 8:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-hyundai-sonata-radio-cycles-off-and-on/174569/3 "2021-01-29T20:52:57Z")

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Take it to a shop that specializes in car audio. It could just be a loose connection but I doubt it. You’ll probably need a new radio.

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 9:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-hyundai-sonata-radio-cycles-off-and-on/174569/4 "2021-01-29T21:10:09Z")

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> [@davepsinbox\_157004](#):
>
> It could just be a loose connection but I doubt it. You’ll probably need a new radio.

+1  
Or, it is conceivable that a failing alternator–with wildly varying output–could do the same thing. In fact, that happened to me many years ago, for a few days before the alternator totally died and stranded me.

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**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\
**Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 9:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-hyundai-sonata-radio-cycles-off-and-on/174569/5 "2021-01-29T21:48:05Z")

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I had the radio in my 2013 Equinox reflashed twice under warranty due to the radio turning itself on randomly or not shutting off after exiting the car. Might be worth a call to the dealer or Hyundai to see if it’s a known issue.

Ed B.