Is my car killing my stereo displays?
April 7, 2008 9:43 AM Subscribe
My car stereo display went blank, and it's not the first time. Is my car striking my car stereos blind?
I drive a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis. When I got it last January, the display on the stock radio was blank, but otherwise functioned normally. Shortly afterward, I bought and installed a new stereo, a Kenwood KDC MP632U to be exact. It came with a wiring harness and instructions etc. (I don't know a whole hell of a lot about a car's electrical system, but I have installed car stereo equipment before, and can match wires to other wires).
I suspected there might be electrical problems, or something amiss, as the cigarette lighter outlet didn't seem to work, but I never used it for anything so I didn't pay much attention. Everything else worked fine so I didn't really bother.
However, a few months ago during a particularly cold day, the stereo display took a bit longer than usual to come up. I assumed it had something to do with the temperature's effect on the LCD, but the blankout became intermittent before finally giving up altogether.
I checked the car's fuse box, and tested all of the fuses, even replacing one that appeared to be dead, and the stereo display came back to life, but went blank again shortly thereafter. I checked all the fuses again, even the one on the back of the head unit itself, but they all read normal. I went in and double checked the wiring, and I couldn't see anything obviously wrong (exposed copper, loose wire, etc) so I'm concerned it might be something deeper within the vehicle somewhere.
It should be noted that the Kenwood stereo functions completely normal, and even the blue and red lights on the face work, just not the actual readout, so I have to operate it blindly.
I wouldn't be terribly opposed to buying a new stereo altogether, but I fear that the same issue would arise again, and I don't wish to spend $100+ to test it out.
I feel like I'm missing something, or there's something basic that my ignorance of automotives is preventing me from seeing. Help me, fellow MeFites!
(note, this question, while similar sounding, is different from my last question on the topic, which was resolved)
I drive a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis. When I got it last January, the display on the stock radio was blank, but otherwise functioned normally. Shortly afterward, I bought and installed a new stereo, a Kenwood KDC MP632U to be exact. It came with a wiring harness and instructions etc. (I don't know a whole hell of a lot about a car's electrical system, but I have installed car stereo equipment before, and can match wires to other wires).
I suspected there might be electrical problems, or something amiss, as the cigarette lighter outlet didn't seem to work, but I never used it for anything so I didn't pay much attention. Everything else worked fine so I didn't really bother.
However, a few months ago during a particularly cold day, the stereo display took a bit longer than usual to come up. I assumed it had something to do with the temperature's effect on the LCD, but the blankout became intermittent before finally giving up altogether.
I checked the car's fuse box, and tested all of the fuses, even replacing one that appeared to be dead, and the stereo display came back to life, but went blank again shortly thereafter. I checked all the fuses again, even the one on the back of the head unit itself, but they all read normal. I went in and double checked the wiring, and I couldn't see anything obviously wrong (exposed copper, loose wire, etc) so I'm concerned it might be something deeper within the vehicle somewhere.
It should be noted that the Kenwood stereo functions completely normal, and even the blue and red lights on the face work, just not the actual readout, so I have to operate it blindly.
I wouldn't be terribly opposed to buying a new stereo altogether, but I fear that the same issue would arise again, and I don't wish to spend $100+ to test it out.
I feel like I'm missing something, or there's something basic that my ignorance of automotives is preventing me from seeing. Help me, fellow MeFites!
(note, this question, while similar sounding, is different from my last question on the topic, which was resolved)
This thread is closed to new comments.
Use a multimeter on the harness that connects to the radio. Measure the voltage between the voltage pin and the ground pin on the harness, and compare that to what's normal for your car.
posted by zippy at 6:14 AM on April 8, 2008