radio issues

[pimtool]

Hey there,
My radio doesnt seem to want to work til it "warms up". In other words, most times my radio wont turn on till a few miles down the road. the clock works if you push the clock button, but no radio or cd player, other times it will work normal. seems when its colder it doesnt work like it should.

Its the factory radio with 6 disc changer. it a 97 xlt 4x4 with an auto. The radio has been replaced with a used factory radio.

So my question is,

Should I be looking at,

The radio?
The GEM module?
Some relay or something?

Thanks for the help.

 

[jrjr]

If the clock works, its getting power and ground. Sounds like a defective radio. Sometimes they are bad out of the box.

 

[pimtool]

Thats what I was thinking, but this is the second radio to do this. This is why I replaced the first radio.

So Im wondering if something is killing these radios. Some woodchuck has taking this dash apart before for some reason. I do not know the history of this vehicle, but there are screws missing and broken plastic inside the dash.

Also, is it possible to use the factory 6 disc cd player with a aftermarket radio?

Thanks.

 

[walnuts4x4]

if dash was removed my bet would be blend door or heater core.... usually why they remove dash... but I was looking into a aftermarket radio to work with factory changer but never got anywhere... so I ripped it out... might wanna check with the folks at crutchfield.com... very knowledgeable folks there

 

[Thermo]

The factory 6 disk player is actually an Alpine unit. So, you will need to be looking at Alpine units exclusively if you are going to find one that is going to work. Unfortunately, with how things have been updated over the years, the odds of finding a new radio that will work with the older changer is going to be very hit and miss. Your best bet will be seeing if Alpine sells an adapter that will convert from 1 plug style to another.

As for the radio issue, it sounds like to me you have a broken solder joint and the warming up of the radio is enough to make the solder joint re-make electrically. Unfortuantely, unless you feel like ripping into the radio and doing a very detailed inspection of the circuit cards, it is probably going to be in your best interest to buy a new radio. Don't forget to bypass the amp in the dash. Otherwise you are probably going to end up with distorted sound unless you stick with a very low power radio (hard to find these days).

 

[pimtool]

Thanks for the help.

If I decide to go with a aftermarket single cd player, how would I bypass the amp in the dash?

 

[tepponogu]

Thanks for the help.

If I decide to go with a aftermarket single cd player, how would I bypass the amp in the dash?

I'm wondering the same thing since I want a radio that has bluetooth capability for my phone.

 

[pimtool]

well,
I dont know if this has anything to do with it. I replaced a blown fuse for the power outlet in the center console and the radio has been working fine.

Thanks.