In my 2009 E61 fitted with CIC nav it is possible to turn the radio on by pushing the volume button after stopping the engine but leaving the key in the ignition. However, after about 20 minutes the radio switches itself off. Another push of the volume button turns the radio on for a shorter duration, maybe 10 minutes. Then it turns off again and a push of the on/off engine button is now required to turn on the radio again (not starting the engine, just turning on power). After a while it turns off again and cycle repeats from the start.

In my previous car (E90) pushing the engine on/off button the first time actually made the radio stay on until the key was removed or I turned the radio off manually.


Anybody aware of any trick to get the radio to stay on? Or maybe the auto-off feature can be coded away permanently? I would really like to get the radio to stay on while washing the car and at the drive-in cinema without having to keep the engine running.


I am aware that I then need to remember to remove the key from the ignition to ensure that the battery does not drain overnight, but that is not really an issue :)


Any suggestions greatly appreciated...