weird radio/electrical problem

[GrantP]

My factory radio randomly quits working. All functions seem ok, it powers on, all knobs and dials work but there is no sound. This happened the first time a month or so ago and did it again today on my way home from work. Interestingly I hit the scan button and it found no stations but given that I live in Phoenix there's no way it shouldn't have picked up any of them. Maybe the antenna connection is loose? I just ran an errand tonight and it's working again with no issues.

Also, the interior light has quit coming on when I open any of the doors. I can turn them on manually and all of the bulbs work. I'm not sure if those two issues are related but they both have cropped up around the same time.

I realize it's a long shot but I just wanted to throw it out there in case anyone has had a similar issue.

 

[lpennock]

Try disconnecting the batteries for 10 minutes. Some time computers need a hard reset.

 

[GrantP]

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried that this morning and even cycled the key a few times with the batteries disconnected but no difference on the interior light. On the upside the radio decided to work today for my morning commute. Now I have to remember how to set the clock. ;-)

 

[PWong]

no difference on the interior light. On the upside the radio decided to work today for my morning commute.

Don't think they are related.

http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2006/docs/wd/dr/wiringdiagrams/8w44interiorlighting.pdf

The interior lights are driven by the cluster.

 

[ranger 393]

I have a aftermarket alpine in my truck, and sometimes my sound will go out, I can tap the face of the radio with my finger and the sound comes back. I have checked every connection and still have not solved it.

 

[GrantP]

Interior lights have started working again for no apparent reason, this was a few days after disconnecting the batteries. The radio is hit and miss but it usually works. I hate trying to troubleshoot random electrical problems. Maybe the radio is just on it's way out but I don't see how that connects to the interior light issue so maybe there's more to this.

As long as the engine keeps making music I'll be fine...

 

[User113]

When the radio goes out, does the CD player still work?

 

[Missouri Mule]

Could be speakers going out. But probably radio or loose or broken wire.

 

[GrantP]

When the radio goes out, does the CD player still work?

I had the same thought but unfortunately I did not have a CD in the truck the last time it went out. I'll dust one off and throw it in there for the next time.

 

[GrantP]

When the radio goes out, does the CD player still work?

The radio decided not to work this afternoon and I can verify that there is no sound from the CD either. After I restarted the truck it worked fine. There has been some other random things happening since my last post. I came home after a 3 hour drive and the truck thought the cargo/bed light was on when I shut the truck off. It showed the warning on the dash and the annoying "ding ding ding" that goes with it but the light was not on. I'm also occasionally getting an airbag warning light with a single ding on start up in the morning but the light quickly goes off. Maybe I should have named the subject of this post "ghosts in the machine".

 

[cerberusiam]

You have a bad power connection or ground somewhere that is throwing static into the data bus. Batteries, battery cables, and grounds are suspect at that age unless you have already been thru them.

 

[GrantP]

Batteries seem fine, passenger side shows 12.5V while disconnected and drivers side showed 12.3 while connected and engine off. Cables and terminals look brand new. I do agree that there is more going on than just the radio.

 

[GrantP]

You have a bad power connection or ground somewhere that is throwing static into the data bus. Batteries, battery cables, and grounds are suspect at that age unless you have already been thru them.

Well you nailed it, it was the batteries. Haven't had a problem since they were replaced many months ago. Everything works as it should and no weirdness.

 

[Srichards56]

I had the same problem too. problem was two bad cells in one battery the 2nd was 1000 CCA so I replaced the bad one and no problems since.

 

[GrantP]

Apparently the radio acts as the "canary in the coal mine". If the radio acts up it's time for batteries.

 

[cerberusiam]

Radio and door locks, if they start acting weird battery is usually the issue.

 

[Hootguy]

i have 2 brand new batteries,my radio display still goes out,sometimes it comes back,sometimes not,i just chalk it up to more ****ty Dodge products,my megacab sits,,while i drive my 96 dually 12 valve,now THAT is a real truck,between the radio,roof leaks,****ty front end,other than the body,there's not much to like,but with a 12 valve standing by,and some good Dana axles,the MEGA will become the ultimate driving rig,LOL