Radio does not turn on automatically after starting car

[mylai996]

I have a 2008 v6 Cayenne with base cdr23. The headunit does not turn on automatically after starting the car. Pulled the radio and found that the ignition turn on lead does not give 12v after car has started. Checked fuses on both sides of the dash but did not find any blown fuse. Does anyone have suggestion where to start looking? Thanks.

[Duram]

It could be the VES (Vehicle Electrical System) module. When these modules fail you get a lot of strange behavior. Sometimes they start with some of the lights not working, other times you get random modules not performing as they should. If you have a scan tool that can read factory fault codes, you may see fault codes in various modules relating power. Typically the VES module itself will not have a fault code stored for it but there should be traces of it in other modules.

[mylai996]

You may be on to something. I also have a Check High Beam warning every time I start the car but my high beams are working on both sides. Where would this VES module be located? Thanks Duram.

[Duram]

The VES module is located in the dash approximately forward of where your right knee would be if you were sitting in the drivers seat. But I do not think locating the module will do you much good. In order to diagnose the module it is best to look for fault codes at the other modules in the car. Usually the VES module does not have faults that indicate errors but other modules may indicate a problem in the VES module. You would need to use a scan tool that can scan the factory fault codes. In my mothers car, this module would cause the radio to go off whenever she put the car into reverse. When she put the car back in drive the radio could be turned back on. On another car I have seen this module would cause the engine to switch off in certain scenarios.

In the VW Touareg the module is called J519. Since the Touareg is a more common vehicle but shares some of the same electronics. if you google J519 you may see more information about the things that happen with this module fails.