Radio Ground Problems

[SoCalChris]

Lately my radio has been shutting off randomly. It usually powers off for a second, then powers back on. Occasionally it will power off and not be able to be turned back on for 30 or more minutes. Occasionally it does not turn off when the truck is turned off, or come on when the truck turns on. Both the stock radio, and an aftermarket one that I installed is doing this.

 

 

I suspect it is a bad ground somewhere. I checked the wiring harness at the radio, it seems fine. Where else would I check the ground at? Where does it ground to the frame? Also, would aftermarket speakers cause this problem if there was a short in the speaker wiring somewhere? I don't think there is a short, but I'm trying to explore all of the potential reasons.

 

Thanks

[gregrocks89]

make sure your antenna cable is being plugged in properly to the deck and your antenna

[aesalazar]

It could be something in the radio itself. Could probably pick one up cheap with people constantly upgrading.

 

Ernie

[SoCalChris]

make sure your antenna cable is being plugged in properly to the deck and your antenna

 

I double checked where the antenna plugs in to the deck, that's OK. How do I access the bottom of the antenna mast to check there?

 

It could be something in the radio itself. Could probably pick one up cheap with people constantly upgrading.

 

Ernie

 

It isn't the radio, I replaced the stock radio with a Kenwood, the problem happens on both.

 

Thanks

[aesalazar]

Sorry, missed that in your original post.

 

Ya, thats a tough one. I would say get a volt meter with a continuity tester and start poking around. It would be best to do it when the problem is going on obviously which is going to be the hardest part. If you have the radio out and have it produce the problem then check the harness as gently as possible to make sure you still have voltage going to the radio and check for shorts with the continuity meeter. That should at least tell you if it is a short or a bad harness. Check your wires coming off the harness to make sure nothing is frayed somewhere behind the dash because of rubbing against metal. When you had the Kenwood in, i assume it was plugged into the same harness with an wiring kit?

 

Check the fuse box to make sure everything is tight in there.

 

If you cant get it to do the problem at idle, have the radio bolted in with the screws exposed and keep a screw driver on you. When it does it when driving around pull over and take out the screws. See if the simple act of pulling out the radio fixes it. If it does then you at least know it is probably some going in behind it. If not you might have to start tracing wires under the dash.

 

Not a fun job but good luck.

 

Ernie