Intermittent stereo reception

Caboboy · January 19, 2005

Hi all, newbie here..........this looks like a terrific spot for tech and other info on my '99 Tahoe I bought this truck new and it's been a heckofa vehicle for me.......everything I wanted.

I've recently been getting intermittent reception from my stock Delco stereo/remote CD player. It'll be fine 90+% of the time, then all of a sudden lose audio but keep the time and channel selection illuminated. Almost like a loose ground, but I don't think that could be it because it's retaining memory on the functions. I'm thinking maybe a main amp with heat soak or an intermittent relay? Is this a common problem with these units? If not, does anybody have any suggestions on how to track this problem down? I tried the search, but didn't locate anything on the subject, TIA

Cabo

Butch 02 Denali · January 20, 2005

Hi all, newbie here..........this looks like a terrific spot for tech and other info on my '99 Tahoe I bought this truck new and it's been a heckofa vehicle for me.......everything I wanted.

I've recently been getting intermittent reception from my stock Delco stereo/remote CD player. It'll be fine 90+% of the time, then all of a sudden lose audio but keep the time and channel selection illuminated. Almost like a loose ground, but I don't think that could be it because it's retaining memory on the functions. I'm thinking maybe a main amp with heat soak or an intermittent relay? Is this a common problem with these units? If not, does anybody have any suggestions on how to track this problem down? I tried the search, but didn't locate anything on the subject, TIA

Cabo

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Check the antenna connections and ground.

Caboboy · January 20, 2005

Thanks Butch.

The CD doesn't work either when this problem occurs, so it's not the antenna. Is there a separate ground that would allow the unit to retain memory if disconnected?

GMCTech · January 21, 2005

I've seen two vehicles with the exact symptoms as yours. Both ended up being the amplifier overheating.

Both vehicles had the Bose system with the amps in the right rear inner trim.

The amplifiers were overheating, and they have a built in cut-off to prevent damage. I'm not sure which stereo set-ups have the amp. or if they all do. But don't assume that's the problem based on my experience, make sure you diagnose it first.

Hope this helps.

USA1Fan · January 21, 2005

This sounds like what happened with the Bose radio in my '04 Silverado a few months ago. I was on my way to work and turned on the radio for some tunes, but got no sound at all. I tried all sources with the same results- the display and everything looked right, but it was like I suddenly went deaf with no sound at ALL. I pulled over for a minute at a gas station and turned the radio off then back on and everything worked normally. It hasn't repeated since that, but I'm clueless about what caused it and can't take it to the dealership because (as most have seen), they claim it has to do it before they can diagnose it.

Caboboy · January 22, 2005

Thanks guys, we may be on to something here. It happened to me twice more this week, both times early in the morning (very cold temps) while I had the defroster on fairly warm. The other mornings I kept the defroster off and had no problems, even tho I was using the heater.

I'm wondering if it's a heat soak thing related to a relay or amp that might be located near a leaking defroster vent duct Is there a relay or amp located up under the dash somewhere? I'm going to do some experimenting on the way to work this coming week, even if I have to use a periscope to see where I'm going