Weird issue with OEM radio

[Maroonandwhite]

I just purchased an OEM radio for my 2004 TJ. I got the RBK model but am having a weird issue. When I first plugged it up everything operated normally. Came on and I could hear static but didn't have the antenna plugged in yet. Once I freed antenna from the adapter and got it all plugged up I cannot get the radio to operate. It shows power and displays a clock. The backlights even come on with the headlights but...….none of the buttons will work at all. I've unplugged it all multiple times as well as reset the battery connection and fuses.

Any idea?

 

[Zorba]

Fuse isn't blown? Try unplugging the antenna?

 

[Maroonandwhite]

Fuse isn't blown? Try unplugging the antenna?

Nope. I've checked the #14 fuse, plugged and unplugged the antenna as well as the main harness plug. It's very weird. It actually worked fine for a minute or so while I was messing with the antenna adapter and even played a station when I touched the antenna to it. That's when I realized I forgot to remove the adapter.

I guess it could just be a defective unit but doesn't seem like it would have only worked for a few seconds and still not completely die. It looks like everything is normal, I just can't make it do anything. Even the small clock buttons don't respond.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

Maybe check to be sure that the harness ground in the radio harness is good. Could have grounded through the antenna?

 

[Maroonandwhite]

Maybe check to be sure that the harness ground in the radio harness is good. Could have grounded through the antenna?

I actually plugged my other radio back in and it works fine. I pulled the face off of this one to see if anything stood out and there was a CD stuck in it. Upon removing that still no change. My guess is it’s just defective. It was only $20 so I guess I got what I paid for.

 

[Blondie70]

I got one off ebay for my 2000. Had to run a seperate ground wire from the radio case to a good ground to make it work. The harness has no ground wire in it, I guess.

 

[Maroonandwhite]

I got one off ebay for my 2000. Had to run a seperate ground wire from the radio case to a good ground to make it work. The harness has no ground wire in it, I guess.

So would it not come on at all? Or did it do what mine is doing.

 

[Maroonandwhite]

So would it not come on at all? Or did it do what mine is doing.

I’ll give that a try though.

 

[Blondie70]

Think it wouldn't come on at all....been awhile. I got the plain straight radio...no cd or cassette plaiyer. Works good but I can't hear it while driving with no doors...ha. You could try the antenna hookup you started with and when it worked for a bit. If it still comes on when you mess with the antenna...you know that's the problem.
Good Luck with it.

 

[Maroonandwhite]

Think it wouldn't come on at all....been awhile. I got the plain straight radio...no cd or cassette plaiyer. Works good but I can't hear it while driving with no doors...ha. You could try the antenna hookup you started with and when it worked for a bit. If it still comes on when you mess with the antenna...you know that's the problem.
Good Luck with it.

I’m convinced it’s just a bad radio. No amount of troubleshooting worked. I just put the JVC aftermarket back in until I figure something else out. I just like the stock look and big buttons and wanted something other than the cheap JVC. I may just live with it though.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

I’m convinced it’s just a bad radio. No amount of troubleshooting worked. I just put the JVC aftermarket back in until I figure something else out. I just like the stock look and big buttons and wanted something other than the cheap JVC. I may just live with it though.

Could swap over to a double din bezel, and get a mech-less with Car-play... no skipping of music, can play from phone or memory stick... Only issue is you'll have a touch screen. But ones like the Alpine, install a head unit and an Amp in the space of a conventional.

Or do the double din, make an aluminum plate, and put in a boat head-unit...

 

[glowell222]

I have gone this very route and took a DIY approach. For a long time I had an updated stereo-can't recall the make. Once my daughter started learning how to shift gears, she flat out said that it looked stupid and didn't match the Jeep at all. I agreed, but I liked the aux input. I did a bit of research at allpar.com regarding the stereos, I bought an OEM stereo that has the ability to support a remote CD changer via a 9 pin din cable. I found the CD changer on ebay, bought an extension cable, hacked the cable near the stereo end, soldered in a female aux port, mounted the aux port in the bezel near the stereo, recorded a "blank" CD to play in the CD changer, and now I can listen to my favorite podcasts/audio books/music via my phone while also using the basically theft-proof OEM stereo (no real value). The CD changer is hidden under the rear seat.

 

[Zorba]

Ferget the damn touch screen - put in a single DIN mechless into a double DIN escutcheon and you'll have enough room left over for a CB radio!