Radio not working

Recently bought a 1995 Acclaim and radio doesn't work. Does anyone
know the procdure for troubleshooting a car radio? The main fuse
located under the dash is good. I would like to know if there are any
other fuses or fusible links for the radio. Also how to remove the
radio tand test circuit to see if it's getting any juice at all.
Thanks in advance
Geo

 

You have to determine whether the radio electronics are working, or not.

One of the most common causes of radio failures, (in the old days), was low
signal/
antenna or lead failure.

To test this we simply used a stock replacement antenna and plugged it into
the radio
antenna socket. If this solved the problem, then we knew we had to replace
the
OEM antenna with a suitable replacement.

If the cassette, or CD section is working but the radio doesnt work, this is
an indication
that at least the amplifier section is working properly.

Occasionally, you would also find a radio that was basically okay but the
speakers were
dead. This is not so likely when you have multiple speakers.

If the antenna is not the problem, and you have operating voltage to the
radio unit,
then the chances are that something inside the unit is fongued. Repairing
the internals
of modern radios are best left to professionals, or are sometimes more
cheaply solved by
mounting a new aftermarket unit.

 

You'll need a wiring diagram that shows you what wires do what at the back
of the radio. Then you can figure out which one is power & ground. If you
have power there, get a new radio. They're not worth fixing anymore, if its
even possible to fix them.

 

Does it light up? Does the clock operate? Does it do anything when you
cycle the power?

 

Your radio may have a fuse in the radio body as well as the fuse under the
dash. Best way to trouble shoot your problem would be to remove the radio and
check for a fuse in the radio. If no fuse in the radio check for power and
ground in the harness that plugs into the back of the radio. If you just
bought the car with the radio inop you may find that the previous owner had an
aftermaeket stereo install and cut the original connector off of the wiring
harness. Then, when he sold the car, he just bolted in the factory radio and
never hooked it back up. That happens more often than you might think. But
basicaly the radio needs to come out to check any further.

 

Very easy to trouble shoot, you have 2 fuses that supply battery voltage to
the radio. One is with the key off (memory/Clock) the other key on Batt
supply, and then you have ground. if you pull out the radio which is very
easy to do on this vehicle by just popping off the bezel and removing the
screws. Check for these 3 checks, if all is good and still no radio replace
it. And if needed I have 3 of them here at the house $50, you pay shipping.
am/fm/cassette and equalizer built it

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

No fuse in the radio. It is original and appears not to have been
touched. There are two plugs with several wires each. Why so many and
how do I find out which is power? Thanks

 

Don't see any fuse in back of radio. The only fuse I know of is in the
main fuse panel on the drivers front lower left side. I also just
found out that the cruise control is not working. Is it possible this
could be a relay? Thanks.

 

No fuse in the radio. It is original and appears not to have been
touched. There are two plugs with several wires each. Why so many and
how do I find out which is power? Thanks


You need a wiring diagram to tell you which wires have power but you can
still check for power without a diagram. You will have two wires that will
have power, one will be hot all the time, the other will be hot only with the
key on. Just use a test light and back probe the connectors. The other wires
are for the speakers and illumination of the radio.

 

No fuse in the radio. It is original and appears not to have been
touched. There are two plugs with several wires each. Why so many and
how do I find out which is power? Thanks

All you need to do is check for 12 volts at the 2 red wires, I believe they
would be in the black connector. If 12 volts is there with key on and you
have a good ground. The radio is no good, The other wires in the gray
connector are for speakers.

Glenn

 

if the white tag did not fall off the radio it tells which wire does what