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Car radio only works randomly

Tiny
KELTICTIM
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE
  • 0.6L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
So my car radio is possessed. It turns on, all lights and functions, but has no sounds. Randomly, sound will start playing, it wil usually play sound for the rest of that ride, but as soon as the car gets shut off, that’s it. Next time the car starts it’s gone again. Any ideas?
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Tuesday, March 19th, 2019 AT 11:31 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
JOETECHPRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 705 POSTS
Hey KELTICTIM,

Do you have the premium sound system? (Bose I believe in these vehicles)

Do you have audio controls for the rear?

If the radio display stays on the whole time and you are losing just all sound I would suspect an issue with the radio itself or the amplifier if one is fitted to your vehicle.

Everything else functions ok just no sound output?
All controls work, you have no sound from all sources, radio/CD/AUX etc?

If you can post a picture of your radio unit that will help identify the system.

Regards, Joe
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Wednesday, March 20th, 2019 AT 12:10 PM
Tiny
KELTICTIM
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  • 7 POSTS
There is a rear radio control, that stays off. Every function works perfectly, the sound just comes on randomly. Now, for awhile I had a dead cell in my battery, and I waited awhile to replace the battery, during that time the sound worked perfect, the second I put a new battery in, the sound was gone again.
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Wednesday, March 20th, 2019 AT 12:48 PM
Tiny
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Hey KELTICTIM,

Can you please check all of the battery connections? Everything you disturbed whilst replacing the battery and ensure nothing is loose.

A new battery will not cause the issue but a loose connection after fitting could.

Regards, Joe
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Wednesday, March 20th, 2019 AT 3:10 PM
Tiny
KELTICTIM
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
First thing I did. The issue has been since I bought the car, when the battery cell died, the radio worked perfectly. I waited two months to change the dead cell battery just cause the radio was working. Put in a new battery and the random sound returned.
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Wednesday, March 20th, 2019 AT 3:25 PM
Tiny
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Hey KELTICTIM,

Can you please send me a picture of your radio head unit?

We need to work out if you have an amplifier fitted.

Then we can work out if it's an issue with the amp or the radio unit.

Regards, Joe
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Wednesday, March 20th, 2019 AT 3:40 PM
Tiny
KELTICTIM
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I’ve sent a picture multiple times. It’s a standard head unit with tape, CD, 5 disc changer down below, and RSE for the DVD player. Bose speakers, and I believe an amp.
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Wednesday, March 20th, 2019 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
KELTICTIM
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Here is the picture:
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Wednesday, March 20th, 2019 AT 3:45 PM
Tiny
JOETECHPRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 705 POSTS
Hey KELTICTIM,

It looks like it may be a radio programming or amplifier issue.

There is a TSB applicable to your vehicle.

I would Advise going to a Cadillac dealer if you can, they will be able to identify your sound system from the VIN and tell you what measure is applicable to your vehicle.

If you need to replace the amp you can do this yourself but the programming update you may need the dealer to do for you.

Hope that helps,

If you need any further info let me know.

Regards, Joe
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Thursday, March 21st, 2019 AT 9:14 AM
Tiny
KELTICTIM
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Say I eliminate the amp, and put an after market stereo in, that should correct it as well right? Keeping it stock isn’t a concern.
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Thursday, March 21st, 2019 AT 9:15 AM
Tiny
KELTICTIM
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Sorry, I meant that last bit as a question. Do you think swapping radio decks and eliminating the amp would be an option?
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Friday, March 22nd, 2019 AT 6:34 AM
Tiny
JOETECHPRO
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Hey KELTICTIM,

Replacing the stock head unit with aftermarket and deleting the amp would rule out these causes yes.

You will need to access the amp to cut and reconnect the speaker wires so they no longer go through the amp to do this.

If you then still had an issue you would be looking at an intermittent wiring issue.

In terms of saving time this may be a good way to go if you don't mind getting rid of the stock equipment. Whether or not it will be cheaper than replacing the stock amp if needed and reprogramming I am not sure.

I would still recommend asking the dealer as to what the TSB repair would be. It may just be programming. It should not cost anything for them to advise you on this and give you a quote.

Hope that helps, If you need any more information let me know.

Regards, Joe
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Saturday, March 23rd, 2019 AT 9:56 AM

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