Ford Ranger problem

I am going to be buying my dad's 99 Ford Ranger off him in the very near future. It is very well maintained but it has one problem if the truck isn't run for a couple days the battery will be dead. It just had a new battery put in it so it isn't a bad battery. Apparently if you turn off the truck with the radio turned on, sometimes the radio will start playing in the middle of the night. I am guessing it is a grounding problem. Any suggestions?

That sounds very creepy to me.  Does it also default to the oldies station when it starts playing on it's own by any chance?  Does this have an aftermarket stereo?  Sounds like a ground or power issue somewhere.  Best to pull the radio and take a look at the wiring and connections.  

That is either an ignition lock/switch or an internal problem in the radio.  Fords will sometimes let you pull the key in the acc position after they are worn out.

It may be a ford thing my 92 mustang only plays classic rock....against my will.

The factory head units seem to have issues with shorts. Atleast from what ive seen posted by people on the ranger forums facebook. (Disclaimer: dont join said fb group unless you want to read 40 people asking how big a tire they can clear, how too lift it, how to lower it and how too mount a lightbar)

Stanger2000 said:

 Does it also default to the oldies station when it starts playing on it's own by any chance?  Does this have an aftermarket stereo?  Sounds like a ground or power issue somewhere.  Best to pull the radio and take a look at the wiring and connections.  

Probably NPR. It is the stock radio.

dropstep said:

The factory head units seem to have issues with shorts. Atleast from what ive seen posted by people on the ranger forums facebook. (Disclaimer: dont join said fb group unless you want to read 40 people asking how big a tire they can clear, how too lift it, how to lower it and how too mount a lightbar)

Speaking of lowering, to lower these about 2-3" I should be able to do front drop springs and rear spring hangars to get that right?

Kill the radio before getting out?

I learned yesterday that if you leave the key in the ignition of a 2009 Jetta, even though the engine and key are off it continues to  play; thanks Hon!

914Driver said:

Kill the radio before getting out?

I learned yesterday that if you leave the key in the ignition of a 2009 Jetta, even though the engine and key are off it continues to  play; thanks Hon!

In normal operation if you turn the truck or the radio is turned off. When you do this now, the radio sometimes turns itself back on at times. If you turn the radio off before you turn the truck off the radio doesn't turn itself on but the battery still dies after a few days.

 Call an Exorcist.

Find somebody with the weird little Ford radio removal tool, unplug it ans see if the battery drain goes away.  I'd bet the radio is pooched.

dropstep said:

The factory head units seem to have issues with shorts. Atleast from what ive seen posted by people on the ranger forums facebook. (Disclaimer: dont join said fb group unless you want to read 40 people asking how big a tire they can clear, how too lift it, how to lower it and how too mount a lightbar)

I remember poring over the 1st Gen Colorado forums to find out what 2wd stock-size all-season replacement tires people liked. I ended up having to make the decision by myself.