The most likely reason for your radio’s sudden death is a blown fuse. All car radios have at least one fuse that protects it from power surges coming from somewhere else in the vehicle. The first thing you should do when your radio stops working is check its fuses and replace any that have blown.
Remove the fuse from its holder. In some cases you may need a small screwdriver to unscrew the fuse holder cap. Look at the fuse wire. If there is a visible gap in the wire or a dark or metallic smear inside the glass then the fuse is blown and needs to be replaced.
Use a multimeter to test the stereo’s two power wires. This will help you determine if there is broken or faulty wiring. One power wire provides power to the stereo’s memory and is always hot. While the other wire is only hot when you turn on the ignition.
Why does my radio have power but wont turn on?
Most probably, the power wires of the stereo are in bad condition. While one power wire is always out, the other only heats up with the ignition key. But, if their functions get inverted, the stereo will stop working. If these power wires do not have any voltage, it is time to replace them.
Why did my car stereo suddenly stop working? – Related Questions
How do you fix a stereo that won’t turn on?
My Stereo System Won’t Turn On
Securely plug your device to a working wall outlet.
Press and hold the POWER button, and unplug it from the wall outlet at the same time.
Release the POWER button.
Make sure that your device has enough ventilation.
Plug your device back into a wall outlet.
Turn on your device.
Is there a fuse that controls the radio?
Is there a fuse that controls the radio? A car radio will have at least one fuse to protect the unit from things like power surges or other electrical issues. If too much current is sent to the audio system, this fuse will blow out and disconnect the circuit to save the main radio.
Turn your car on, but do not start the engine. Turn the radio off. Hold the radio power button down for a few minutes until it resets.
How do I get my radio to turn on?
Why won’t my car stereo turn on with ignition?
There are many reasons making the car stereo won’t turn on with ignition. Among them, some of the most common factors are damaged antenna or tuner, anti-theft protected mode, a burned-out fuse box, wiring short, etc.
Can a weak battery cause radio to not work?
While a dead battery, or a jump start, can result in a car radio that doesn’t work, it could also be a pure coincidence. If your car radio stopped working after a jump start, or after a battery charge, then the problem might be related to a car radio code anti-theft feature.
Can alternator affect radio?
Slow or Malfunctioning Accessories
That way, if you’re driving with a failing alternator, you’ll lose power to your radio (or other nonessential accessories) before losing power to your headlights.
How do I know if my car radio is getting power?
Where is the fuse for my car radio?
What does a blown car radio fuse look like?
How much does a blown radio fuse cost?
If the fuse has blown, it’s fairly easy and cheap to replace. You can call a dealership or mechanic to order the part for about $30 and you can even replace this yourself. If it’s an issue with the wiring, you’ll want a professional to take a look.
Most fuses only cost $10 to $20, but you’ll have to pay additional labor fees to have your fuse replaced by a professional. Depending on the shop you go to, labor can cost between $65 and $100 per hour, so call ahead to get a repair estimate.
What causes blown radio fuse?
Overloaded Circuit
The most common cause of a blown fuse is when something draws too much power from the circuit. This is most often caused by either too many lights or from using too many plug-in appliances at once.
Can AutoZone replace fuses?
Safeguard your whole electrical system by replacing fuses and circuit breakers at first sight of wear and tear or corrosion. Luckily, AutoZone provides you with top-quality fuses, fusible links and circuit breakers at the best price on the market.
Can you replace car fuses yourself?
You can use a variety of tools (or skip the tools and use your hands) to extract the blown fuse, the important point is to use care. Fuses can break easily and a broken fuse is a lot harder to get out than a fully intact one.
Do you need to disconnect the battery when changing a fuse in a car?
Before you start working on any automotive project, it’s important that you turn off the engine and disconnect the battery, especially before doing any electrical work. Any misstep with automotive wiring while the battery is hooked up could cause further damage and potentially give you an unpleasant zap.