06 Stereo Problem - Need Help!

[dwr2]

I have a 2006 Megacab with just the standard stereo in it (No navigation and no 6 disk). I have been having this intermmittent problem that I need help with. I have searched the forums but can't find anything like this:



Problem: I turn the key to ignition on while I wait for the grid to heat up so I can start my truck. At this point the stereo works just fine. Then I start the truck and at this point the stereo goes blank. Will not turn on, no display, nothing. It will let me eject the cd in it and I can put a cd in it but it will not play anything and the display stays black. No sound... nothing.



Occasionally I can turn my truck off, wait for a few minutes, and try again and the stereo will stay on. It is very random when it does this. I have checked fuses and supplied voltage from the fuse box and it all looked good there. I am kind of at a loss.



My thoughts are that it could be the ignition switch??? Or just the stereo unit itself???



ANY ADVICE!?!?! I am fairly mechanical and not afraid to jump into it but thought maybe someone has seen this before or could give me a starting point.



Thanks in advance-

-Dave

New to TDR

 

[JDiehl]

I think there is a reflash at the dealer to correct your problem.

 

[dwr2]

I took it to my dealer and they looked at me like I was crazy when I mentioned a reflash! haha. They said they could "diagnose" it but this makes me nervous as it could be just an open ticket to pay them to chase wires and take all my money.



Any other thoughts? Any way to test myself? Should I just replace the unit or maybe look for loose connections?



Thanks again in advance.

 

[mwilson]

Try this before you spend a dime,



Unhook the power to the truck for 10 minutes or so. I prefer to unhook the power at the side of the PDM so that I don't disturb the battery connections.



A lot of times the dooryard reboot will fix weird little things like that. I have had to do it twice to mine in four years for the dome light and temp/compass issue.



Worth a try.

 

[MA2LA]

well if your unit is bad i just took a 6 disk out of my 06 that worked great.

 

[dwr2]

MWILSON: Thanks- I will try that tonight after work!



MA2LA: I will definately contact you after I try the "reboot". Actually... I may be interested regardless of if mine is bad or not! I will keep you posted and thank you for letting me know.





Thanks again guys- hopefully one of the two solutions will fix it!

 

[AABEN]

It could be the buster box in behind the glove box. Jest replaced it last month in TX. All the other dealers keep putting in new radios. I might not called it by the right name but the dealer should know what you are talking about. I have had 5 radios in 6 years that fixed my probans. ==== GOOD LUCK Try the AMP box behind the gove box==== Good Luck

 

[RVHorne]

My 2006 megacab did the same when one of the batteries were bad,I replaced both and the problem never came again.

 

[dwr2]

Thanks everyone for all of your input! Here is the update...



Disconnected the batteries to "reboot" and it didn't help

Had the batteries tested and they are good.

Called a 2nd dealer and they said they have a software upgrade that might fix it. Will cost me $115 to see if it works!



I am going to try two more things:

I am going to make an appointment with the dealer for the reflash AND I am buying a 6-disc changer from MA2LA today. So one of the two will hopefully solve the problem. And either way, I will come out of it with a 6 disc changer! haha



I will keep you posted so there is a record of what actually fixes this problem for anyone in the future that might search for the issue.



Thanks again for all of your help.



-Dave

 

[Axion]

Well, you're not alone, and the in-dash 6 disc changers are not trouble free. I have an '06 with the 6 disc, about a year ago it decided it was only an AM/FM radio. When I was in for an oil change I asked the tech if he could fix my CD player. He checked everything with the StarScan tool and said I didn't have a CD player. He must not have even looked at the radio itself! The StarScan told him I did not have a CD capable radio. He informed me he could replace it with a new one and I might get my CD's back from the repair place 3 or 4 months from now!



Being the adventurous type, I decided to take matters into my own hands, I had nothing to lose. I took the radio out of the dash and started to take the thing apart, screw by screw. I was able to extract my 6 CD's and didn't have any screws left over when I had it all buttoned up again. Once it was back in the dash, it magically wanted me to load CD's again. I have not had the guts to put any in. Its not too big of a loss for me though as I listen to Sirius most of the time anyhow.



Just in the last few months it has started to do the random blank screen trick you mention. Sometimes it comes back after a couple of ignition cycles. Most of the time I have to pull the fuse to get it back. If the radio does crater completely I'll have to decide on options as I need something to feed my Sirius into.



I hope the 6 disc you are putting serves you trouble free!

 

[mwabd1]

Found this... ... . give the number to the dealer



TSB 08-018-06



Models: 2006 (DR/DH/D1) Ram Truck



2006 (DR/DH/D1) Ram Truck

2006 (HB) Durango

2006 (LX) 300/Charger/Magnum

2006 (ND) Dakota

2006 (PT) Chrysler PT Cruiser

2006 (WK) Grand Cherokee

2006 (XK) Commander



NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with a RAQ or REF sales code

radio built on or before October 30, 2005 (MDH 1030XX)



Symptom/Condition:

No radio audio or display following engine crank. All radio functions return when ignition

key is turned off and back into accessory.



Diagnosis:

Using a Scan Tool (StarSCAN®) with the appropriate Diagnostic Procedures available in

TechCONNECT, verify all systems are functioning as designed. If DTCs are present

record them on the repair order and repair as necessary before proceeding further with this

bulletin.



If the vehicle operator describes or experiences the Symptom/Condition, perform the

Repair Procedure.

____________________________



Let me know if your re-flash solves the problem; I have the same issue and have not had time to get to the dealer but if it don't work for you then I will look at other avenues.

 

[dwr2]

Found this... ... . give the number to the dealer



TSB 08-018-06



Models: 2006 (DR/DH/D1) Ram Truck



Symptom/Condition:

No radio audio or display following engine crank. All radio functions return when ignition

key is turned off and back into accessory.

Thanks! This helped me a lot. It is fixed!!!!! (well it has worked for a few days now with no issues).



This TSB number helped me out a lot. The dealer was trying to charge me $115 and I thought it was outrageous. I looked up the TSB number above online and found out that it is only supposed to take 0. 3 hours to fix. I pointed that out and they adjusted the price for me. So thank you!



I still have a 6 disc on the way... so will have to decide which one I want to use in the end but the problem is fixed.



Thank you to everyone that chimed in with suggestions. Much appreciated!

 

[mwabd1]

Cool... ... ... ... ... I have yet to hit the dealer but plan to when I have time. It's bad that an authorized Dodge service center was going to charge you $115 just to reflash your computer... ... .

 

[mwabd1]

I went and had the TSB flash done but ended up arguing with the service writer. He insisted that the TSB would not work and he had to replace the radio... ... ... . I had to get his boss out to force them to do what I was going to pay them to do..... then they tried to charge me $125... .....



I was ****** but in the end I payed $35 and it solved the problem.