Radio stopped working but can't find the source

[KINNEY201]

Please help, as I am pulling my hair out. I have searched for a week on forums, sites, and manuals but cannot find the solution.

I have a 1997 Ford Explorer XLT 5.0 V8. It has the JBL Premium audio installed with an Apline CDA-9827 head unit.

A little over a week ago, the sound just stopped.

The display still works as normal, buttons also, just no sound and antenna does not go up any longer when switching to FM from CD.

Also to note, the buttons on the faceplate no longer light up.

I have checked the fuse box internal and external and do not see any blown fuses.

As far as I know, everything else in the truck in functioning properly.

Note:
Unsure about these however:

1. Thought that when dimmer switch is pressed up that dome light would come on.....this is not happening, although dome light works when buttons are pressed on and off.

2. When key is in ACC mode, I thought more things in the dash lit up, but now only radio display does.

I'm hoping I am just missing something foolish and am looking to you experts for help.

I know that you all are really busy and I would appreciate any help that you could offer.

Kind regards,
JK

 

[JimMadsen]

I would trace some wires and check some grounds. You may be getting some power through the radio on the constant wire, but not the full power wire. Everything else though would say bad fuse to me. But you checked those so maybe a bad ground. Time to get out the multi meter maybe.

 

[KINNEY201]

Thanks! I will check after work. Not to sound stupid, but where exactly would I check for the ground wire?

 

[koda2000]

didn't we just go through this a week ago or so? seems to me it was determined that on the JBL system the radio acutally is not in the dash, but is found in the cargo area next to the amp. the poster determined he had some kind of mute/power issue and fixed it by doing some creative rewiring, although he had more experience with electronics than most of us have.

 

[JimMadsen]

Not to sure on where to find them. I do most of my electronic work on tvs. Once upon a time I did some hack job emergency lighting wiring in peoples cars. Nothing like watching a wire melt after you used a size that was too small!

Check the problem koda mentioned and as for the rest, I would wait for someone to come along here that knows more about wiring than I do as to where to find things. If it was me, first thing I would do is disconnect the stereo and see if everything else comes back.

 

[bobflood]

Unsure about these however:

1. Thought that when dimmer switch is pressed up that dome light would come on.....this is not happening, although dome light works when buttons are pressed on and off. Not on my '97 EB; I don't think this feature was added until '98.

2. When key is in ACC mode, I thought more things in the dash lit up, but now only radio display does. I'm pretty sure that the radio is the only thing that lights up in mine when on ACC.

Re your radio: Assuming that the CD also no longer works - is that correct??
Check fuses 1 (in the power distribution box), 20, 29 and 34 - each are involved in powering the system. Indeed, the unit in front is just a "control unit" - it in turn runs a "remote chassie unit" that powers the speakers, operates the power antenna, etc. This unit gets it's power from Fuse #1 thru the sub-woofer control - so look for a problem with Fuse #1 (a 30A fuse) first. Good luck.

 

[KINNEY201]

Ok, sorry for the delay, but here's the update.

Dimmer switch is working again.....maybe just a fluke.

A/C Control problem was unrelated to the radio. I replaced the blower motor resistor and that is working fine now.

Had a mechanic near my work test the fuses, he said they are all fine, which was a bummer because I thought that might be an easy solution.

Yes, both radio & CD produce no sound.

The display works, buttons work, just no antenna when switched to tuner and no sound at all. Also, I believe that the buttons used to light up on the Alpine CDA-9827 but they are not now.

I cleaned all of the grounds (that I could find) under the hood and still nothing. Are they normally grounded somewhere else?

The mechanic recommended that I get a new head unit. The problem is, I do not want to have to do alot of wiring and can't seem to find the same unit, not even on Ebay.

Was hoping just to get a replacement (cheap) and plug and go.

Any other suggestions or pointers? If the ground to the radio is inside of the truck I have not found it yet. Also wonder, how it would have became disconnected in the first place.

Not really radio guy so sorry if any of this seems ignorant.

Thanks in advance for your help. I really would like to get my tunes back.

 

[budwich]

get a meter and test to see that you are getting the proper power conditions at the remote unit and go from there.