DEAD radio ** SOLVED!! **

I just took 10 min and replaced my power antenna with new GM. Straightforward deal, nothing complicated about it at all. Pre-install, my oem radio worked perfectly. After ant. installation, the radio is stone cold dead. No lights at all, nothing. Pretty dang coincidental, but I just can't imagine the antenna installation would have caused an issue with the radio powering up. I rechecked connections at the antenna also.

Any ideas here? Can a problem with the antenna hookup cause a no-power condition at the radio? I'm no electronics whiz here.

Dave....yes...its a anti thieft precaution....you need to reset the radio

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/audio-electronics-f7/problem-with-the-radio-being-locked-t3478.htm?highlight=radio

Huh, never heard of that. I'll have a read... thanks!

Ok, that's not the issue. I read the info on this in the owners manual, and it does not apply. I have no power whatsoever, no time display... nothing. And my battery has been disconnected a few times previously anyway, with no radios complications. If this problem was the anti-theft feature, I'd have had to do the unlock process before. I did also check the fuse, it looks fine but I swapped in a new one to be sure. No luck. Maybe it's time for an upgrade anyway.

Sounds like about time for an upgrade. I'm thinking that's my next move... what are you looking at?

Anyone get a double-din replacement in there? I've always been a fan of filling the hole... (oh jeez)

Not looking at anything yet. I had no plans on anything aftermarket, until today.

Great excuse to upgrade.

Not in any hurry to spend bucks on aftermarket just yet. I need to do some continuity testing on fuses to try to locate any problems that could affect the radio.

You most likely popped a fuse under the back seat. The same thing happened to me while dealing with my riv's power antenna over a year ago. I don't remember exactly how the fuse is labeled, but I'm sure you'll figure it out.

I think it popped once while plugging the relay back in and once while testing the resistance per the G-platform manual as I usually unplug the antennas in the winter.

Yeah, I figured out what test settings to use on my multi meter last night for fuse continuity, will try to check 'em all this weekend. How would you know if it was one of the relays that was bad? ELC for instance. Someone here said their radio went dead with an ELC relay problem. My ELC seems to be running normally, but a relay was pretty warm when the car had been sittting for a while.

I have neither my FSM nor my owner's manual, but the fuse you are looking for is VERY clearly labeled. Its metal band should be visibly cracked. It's not a coincidence that it popped while you were playing with the antenna

I would start with fuse 19 (radio) in the fuse panel located at the end of the instrument panel near the driver’s door. I remember it being under the seat, but perhaps I'm mistaken.


the owner's manual can be consulted here check out p. 6-58 to 6-63

The radio fuse in the dash panel is fine, and I swapped it to be sure. There isn't one under the rear seat labeled for the Radio.

I'll double check with a brand f'n new radio fuse instead of using the spare that was in there. However, both appeared to be ok, but looks can be deceiving.

Agree, I'll put money on it being a fuse. It could be under the rear seat, but I would've thought in the front fuse panel. Try checking other fuses as well.

Did you have the head out for any reason?

If you need a new head, look on ebay. They're about $100.

Stopped by Sears tonight and picked up a $6 circuit tester. Starting in the dash fuse panel, proceeded to check every fuse. All tested good. On to the rear seat. Didn't take long to find a blown fuse, the I/P 2 fuse (Instrument Panel #2). Swapped in a new 10a fuse, and I have a good radio again, and a power antenna that works perfectly.

What the heck is the I/P 2 fuse for? I have not noticed anything else in the I/P that has been on the fritz...

Would have to see the wiring diagram. The IP fuse probably does not power the radio directly but probably protects one or another computer that controls accessory power in the car.

If it is any help - this is why the manual says to disconnect battery before doing electric work. Most of the time most of us (including me) probably don't and nothing goes Poof. but every once in a while a wire gets momentarily crossed, and I "let the blue smoke out." (all electronics run on trapped blue smoke and when you let the smoke out the electronics dies :: ).

Many congratulations on finding and fixing the electrical gremlin.

Albertj

Congratulations!

Bert

I actually only consulted the install instructions that came with the new GM antenna. No suggestion in there to cut power first so it didn't even occur to me.

Congrats. I was pretty sure it was under the rear seat. That is the one that popped on my riv.

And that's why there are fuses! We don't always remember to disconnect the battery. I've done far worse damage - always remember to disconnect when messing with anything electrical under the hood. When there's fuel close by, fuses don't help.

Dave, I need to thank you for this repair. I wired in a switch for my antenna so that it would stay up in the winter because of the cold weather and salt it never liked to go down. After I wired it in the radio would not work so I looked up this thread and sure enough the IP/2 fuse was blown. Replaced the fuse and all is well.

Heck, you don't need to wire anything to keep the antenna up, just pull the power plug to the antenna in the trunk, with the antenna already in the up position. If you need to push it down to drive thru a car wash, leave it sticking up just enough so you can grip it to pull it back up again.

I did pull the plug but I ran it through the car was and forgot about it and when I looked at the car the next day my antenna was bent over doh! So now when I need a wash I just flip the switch.

I seriously think this should be a sticky thread seems like blown fuses are a big culprit this helped me.

I would like to add my name to the list of people who had a completely dead radio and it ended up being the "IP 2" fuse underneath the rear seat. Just checked it, it was blown...replaced it and now radio is working as it should.

Thanx Will....will remember it.