# Loss of my presets & then my mind

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/loss-of-my-presets-then-my-mind/37696>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** radio, toyota, 4runner\
**Created:** [October 6, 2009, 5:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/loss-of-my-presets-then-my-mind/37696 "2009-10-06T17:15:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bobgilsp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f9ae1b/32.png) [@bobgilsp](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bobgilsp)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 5:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/loss-of-my-presets-then-my-mind/37696/1 "2009-10-06T17:15:03Z")

</div>

The radio on my '98 4Runner is driving me crazy. Every time I shut off the engine, the presets on my radio are erased. My memory is too weak to remember 88.9 FM–WCVE. I don’t dare start (or, turn off) the engine for fear of not hearing your show.  
  
 Why won’t my presets stay preset?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/loss-of-my-presets-then-my-mind/37696/2 "2009-10-06T18:57:28Z")

</div>

There is normally one wire to a radio that maintains a continuous source of power to keep the radio’s memory. You’ll likely need to pull the radio to check its wiring & the plug.

It might also be a fault in the head unit itself - in which case you replace it as repair would not likely be worth the $$ or trouble.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 7:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/loss-of-my-presets-then-my-mind/37696/3 "2009-10-06T19:03:23Z")

</div>

Check fuses first.  
It was just a fuse on my 99 Galant.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Triedaq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Triedaq](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triedaq)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 8:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/loss-of-my-presets-then-my-mind/37696/4 "2009-10-06T20:53:17Z")

</div>

I had the same problem on my 1990 Ford Aerostar. I would lose the presets and the clock would reset to 12:00 a.m. In my case, it was a weak battery. Apparently, the voltage would drop low enough that the memory for the presets would go and the clock wouldn’t keep time. I think the drop in voltage would happen when I cranked the engine to start it. When the battery finally completely died and I replaced it, the clock problem disappeared and the radio would maintain the presets.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DoctorPinto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b19c9b/32.png) [@DoctorPinto](https://community.cartalk.com/u/DoctorPinto)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 10:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/loss-of-my-presets-then-my-mind/37696/5 "2009-10-06T22:05:44Z")

</div>

Check your fuses. The memory for the radio is powered by a circuit that doesn’t shut off with the key. Did you plug something into the cigar lighter that blew the fuse? Often that’s the problem.