2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission radio display intermittant

[JDunmyer]

My 2001 is only driven about 3500 miles/year, nearly all of it towing our travel trailer. That means that it sits a lot, but I try to drive it every couple or 3 weeks at least. It sits outside, but my P.M. includes things like periodic fluid changes and a Battery Minder plugged into the accessory port.

Lately, the radio display has gotten intermittent, the radio still works, but no lights. Next engine start, it might be OK. Adjusting the dash brightness control doesn't help.

If I had to guess, I'd say corrosion on an electrical contact someplace. Any ideas on where to start?

 

[Tractorat]

I bought my 02 brand new. It came with the am/am radio and no cd player. So the very next day I had it popped out and put in an Alpine that lasted about 12 or 13 years. I took it out because the display was starting to get too dim for me to see very well. My guess is that its time to get a new radio.

 

[JDunmyer]

Maybe you're right, but Ikinda hate to do that. The unit is the "deluxe" for the time, with AM/FM/Cassette/CD player, which suits my needs perfectly.

Thanks!!

 

[Tractorat]

I dont know if this resource is available where you live. But I used to have a 1993 chrysler with the factory infinity am/fm/cd radio. The display started going out and finally got to the point where it came on "sometime". I went to Car Toys to try to find an aftermarket radio that looked nice (and sounded ok), but I just could not find one. I wanted it to look oem. Well, the sales guy at the store gave me the business card of an electronics repair shop in the area. I pulled the radio and took it to them. They re aligned the the lazers (which fixed the display). I think it cost me about $130. Anyway, I ended up with my oem radio looking and sounding just like brand new.

 

[JDunmyer]

TR,
Thanks for the tip. Dunno if such facilities exist in the Toledo, OH area, but I'll certainly check.

 

[Tractorat]

This is the place that repaired my car radio. The web site might give you an idea of what to google in your area.

http://www.kingaudiovideo.com/

 

[GReed]

The display in my 2002 did the same thing. Look up www.carstereohelp.com. I don't remember the cost, but they had downloadable instructions on how to re-solder some of the connections to make it work again. Mine was the Infinity system. There were a few places that did the display repair. A Google search should find them. I didn't trust my soldering ability, so I replaced my radio. The biggest problem is ours are 1.5DIN and replacements are 1DIN. Makes for small display and there are so many buttons that they are dinky.