Radio turning on by itself (with the help of the sun)

[harlock]

Hi guys,
I swapped my old Legacy LS 93 for a brand spanking new Legacy 2.5i 2005.

Many times I realized that my radio would turn on by itself. It would only occur when the driver window is down and when the sun shines directly on the instrument cluster / radio. I never noticed that when the window was up. It occured repeatedly while the car wasn't moving. The radio always turn on in CD mode, even if the previous mode was FM radio.

My question is: Does this radio have an infrared sensor for an optional remote control? I've seen in the past some equipments being affected by direct sunlight. It would also explain while I don't see this behavior when the window is up.

My girlfriend says the radio is haunted, and I say we're far from Halloween (but Friday 13th is this week.. hmm...)

Harlock

[isotopeman]

It could be worse, I went on a few dates with a girl who had a new Beetle. The windows would randomly roll themselves down, either while driving or parked. It sucks to come back to a car with the seats wet so often.

[IronMonkeyL255]

I hate the new bugs........

[AWD_addict]

My head unit has an infrared sensor for a remote and it has never done this. But mine isn't a vampire or haunted.
Did this happen the instant the sunlight touched it, or did it take a few minutes? Maybe the radio parts were heating up and expanding to the point that a connection was made. This is probably not likely since a radio should be designed to get hot anyway.

[harlock]

No it would do it as soon as the sun shines on it. I doubt it would be heat, since it was OFF few minutes before it turns on by itself.

Plain strange. Gotta call my salesman.

[harlock]

I'm at the dealer right now. They have internet for waiting customers (Thanks Brad!)

I was told it is a known problem. Apparently the sensor detecting if a CD is inserted might be too sensitive. The sun would hit the sensor and the radio would think that a CD is being inserted, even if a CD is already in. Usually customers would complain that the radio switches from FM to CD mode by itself. Panasonic got a replacement radio with a less sensitive sensor.