Radio Dead When I Cranked Up Truck

sab316 · May 4, 2011

So me and my sister were out getting some lunch today. I was listening to the radio to the restaurant, but it was turned down low. I got in the truck and cranked it up and was driving to get gas and looked down to see what time it was and the radio was off. Hit the power button and wouldn't turn on. No time, no radio, nothing showed up. So then I got to the gas station and filled up and turned it back on and the radio was working.

Think this is something I should be worried about or keep an eye on it? Never done this in the past just today.

SouthCo · May 4, 2011

My 03 Tahoe did that one time about a year ago. has been fine since. if your under warranty maybe let the dealer know just so it's on record. that way if it goes out completely out of warranty you may get a little more help from them.

mfennema · May 4, 2011

Sounds like a loose wiring harness on the back.

rebelman06 · May 4, 2011

I think the radio and BCM get confused every now and then. The radio gets a signal to turn on via the data bus, not just a simple +12V from a relay/fuse. If it only happens once or twice a year and fixes itself the next time you restart, I think it is ok. I have plenty of electronics (computers, cell phones, tv's, ect) that get hung up every now and then and need to be restarted.

CanadianT/A · May 4, 2011

My '03 did it sporadically until the day I sold it.

Stevens03 · May 4, 2011

How hot was it, my 03 use to get hot and shut down. Warranty replaced it but still, that bitch got hot!

nootron69 · January 3, 2012

My 08 Sierra 1500 did that to me this morning. Started the truck, no display, clock or otherwise. Got to work and realised I had no turn signal clicks or door ajar chimes. Truck sat about two hours and I went out to get owners manual to start chasing fuses. For giggles, turned the key on, and radio worked...hit start and radio died again! This happened to a friend of mine that had an 08 1500. The truck was out of warranty and dealership wanted $700 plus for a new stock radio. He ended up trading it in.

nootron69 · January 18, 2012

Guess what? If u have this radio problem it ties into onstar also. Like a dummy, locked my keys in my truck. Called onstar and they couldn't unlock it. I love my truck but have had a ton of electrical issues. Truck ate 4 batteries since I bought it new in 2008. Remote start gave me issues immediadely, no longer works at all, cruize crapped the bed...brake lights intermittent. I love this truck but it is really starting to aggravate me.