Radio Volume Very Low After Oem Radio Replacement

[Dale_K]

I posted this in the "ask a tech" forum but I'll repeat it here in case any audio experts might be able to help. I just upgraded my 2010 work truck with a used OEM am/fm/cd radio that came out of a 2009 truck. I took it to the dealer to have the replacement radio reprogrammed to match my truck's VIN.

 

The problem is that the entire system volume is very low. I have to turn the volume up all the way just to hear the music at a medium-soft level. The volume of the seat belt chime is very low too and I can't hear the tick-tock from the turn signals at all.

 

Any ideas about what's wrong? Can the dealer to something to increase the overall level of all the sounds that come out of the system? Or could I have a defective replacement radio? Everything works - just no volume.

[smallengineguy]

I just did the same thing in my 2004. I posted a question just like this but no one has answered it yet. In doing research on this, I think the AM/FM/CD stereo needs an amp (which was factory for those units) to make it work correctly. I'm thinking of installing an amp/EQ to make it work.

[Dale_K]

Thanks very much. That would explain the symptoms I'm having. I may start a new thread about it to see if anyone else can confirm the amp.