The radio in your Jeep is the savior in any long journey. No journey can be fun without music, and that is how important radio is. However, there are times when the radio can stop working. So what exactly causes the Jeep Wrangler radio not to work?
Well, there could be various reasons why the radio might not work. The most common ones are but are not limited to writing problems and speaker problems. In addition, disruptive signals from a bad antenna can also be an aching issue for your Jeep Wrangler.
Well, these are some of the most common reasons behind the radio not working problem. In this article we have covered these problems in detail with quick solutions. So, Keep reading to find out more and start enjoying the Jeep Wrangler radio once again!
Why Does Jeep Wrangler Radio Not Work?
While we have mentioned some of the most common ones above, Jeep Wrangler radios aren’t exposed to these risks only. There are a lot of other reasons why the radio might not work. Some of these reasons have been listed below in bullet points.
- Wiring Problems
- Anti-theft Mechanisms
- Blown Fuse
- Damaged or Loose Components
- Bad Antenna
5 Solutions For Jeep Wrangler Radio Not Working:
There are several solutions to fixing a faulty radio on a Jeep Wrangler. Below we have compiled five of the most common scenarios and procedures on how to resolve them.
1. Wiring Problems: Tape The Wires
Anything that runs with the help of wires has the potential to face issues related to wires. In addition, signs of wear and tear causing issues for the radio are one of the most common problems that any Jeep owner can experience.
To fix the problems, you must patch up the wires to the best of your abilities. You can choose to use tapes that are safe from electricity exposure to patch up the wear and tears in the wires.
In addition, if tapes will not allow you to put closure to the issue, you might need to replace the old wires with new ones. In the case, you are going to buy new wires, expect to pay around 5 to 10 USD.
While this is optional, you can also hire a professional to fix the wire issues for you. In that case, an extra labor charge will be issued. This is usually about 50 to 100 USD on an hourly basis.
2. Blown Fuse: Replace The Fuses
Very often, damaged wires are also accompanied by blown or malfunctioning fuses. With fuses blown out, no electricity will pass through the circuit. Thus the radio is rendered useless.
To troubleshoot the problem, you can make use of a voltmeter. Connect the voltmeter to one of the circuits and check whether you can get a voltage reading or not. If no voltage readings are shown, there is an internal short-circuit caused by blown fuses.
To resolve this problem, you will be required to replace the old fuses with new ones. Since fuses are typically not repairable, buying new ones is the only available option.
You might also find these broken fuses being accompanied by torn wires. If that is the case for you, you can use a tape that is safe for electric usage to patch up the wires.
The total cost involved in this problem and its solution is not much. At least expect to spend around 10 USD. However, if you are going to avail a mechanic, you might need to pay an extra 50 to 100 USD. This is charged on an hourly basis.
3. Damaged Or Loose Components: Tighten The Components
Sometimes, the cause of a faulty radio has nothing to do with mainstream reasons. Instead, it is the smaller components like gears and connectors that are affecting the standard conditioning of the radio.
To fix disconnected or loose components like connectors and pins, you must have power tools like a screwdriver and spanner in your hand. Once you have acquired these tools, tighten the terminal points of the components.
In addition, if some of the smaller components appear too damaged due to time restraints, replacing them with new parts is the best option. Make sure that the parts you acquire are compatible with the Jeep Wrangler you are using.
Expect the total expenditures behind this solution to be around 10 to 20 USD, depending on all of the components you might replace. In addition, if you are going to purchase any power tools, you might need to pay an extra 30 to 50 USD.
4. Bad Antenna: Change Orientation
Bad antenna signals aren’t in the hands of the driver as they can happen randomly at any time. While they were pretty common in older cars, that doesn’t mean that they are unheard of in modern cars.
Most bad signals on an antenna are temporary and are caused by the interference caused by two different waves hitting. You can simply wait it out for a few moments, and the signal should be returning back to normal.
However, this might not be the case at all times since heavy winds can also cause the antenna to move from its original position. To get better accessibility, you can change the orientation of the antenna. A better position will allow it to receive better signals.
In the rare case where even this doesn’t resolve the problem, we advise you to consult a professional. Since there are a lot of technicalities involved in this problem, any more attempts will only end up being futile. In such cases, you might be paying the regular labor rate of 50 to 100 USD.
5. Anti-theft Mechanism: Reset The Radio
Sometimes, there are no technicalities causing the radio form to work as normal. Instead, it could be a defense mechanism against any theft attempts that might have been made at some point in your absence.
Typical fixes involve resetting the radio. To reset the radio, you must turn on the ignition without activating the engine. Once you have attained the ignition, turn the radio power down for a second, and this should do the trick.
We advise you to seek your car manual before trying out this fix since different model Jeep Wranglers might have different procedures for resetting the radio.
There are no components or cost of parts involved in this solution. As such, you are not expected to pay a single cent to resolve this type of problem. All you need to do is be careful against any theft attempts in the future.
How To Test Jeep Wrangler Radio?
To test whether the radio of your Jeep Wrangler is working properly or not. All you need is a multimeter. Set up the multimeter to a 12V source with a 1 amp minimum. Once the following has been set, carry out the following procedure.
Step 1: Disconnect The Harness
Locate the harness terminals of the radio and disconnect the end, which is the feeding harness of the radio.
Step 2: Connect Multimeter
Set the multimeter to a direct current once you connect it to one end of the radio.
Step 3: Take Readings
Ensure that the car is at ACC position before getting the voltage reading. When checking the voltage readings, you should get values that keep fluctuating every few seconds. As long as the values are within four units of each other, the radio would be working fine.
Aside from the voltage test, there are also other ways that you can find out whether the radio is functioning properly or not. However, since they are mostly manual, you will need to be careful when running them.
FAQs.
At this point of this article, there must be several questions in your mind. While it is impossible to give answers to all of them, we will try our best to give answers to a few.
What Is The Technical Term For A Car Radio?
The car radio is a very elaborate term that isn’t really used. The actual term we use when we are talking about car radio includes car stereo, car receiver, deck, in-dash stereo, and dash stereo.
Why Is There No Sound Even Though The Radio Is On?
If there is no sound despite being activated, there is a high chance that the audio is muted. You should also check the audio option of your radio. If AUX or USB is used, the device must be connected to the right port.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace An Entire Radio?
The radio’s cost will depend on your Jeep Wrangler’s model and your personal preferences. The very basic car deck radios are around 30 USD. On the other hand, radios with sound implications can cost about 130 USD.
Conclusion
Car radios are vital for any journey. Not only are they entertaining, but they can also help you pass the time with a lot of fun. So if these radios break or malfunction, you might be in a blunder.
However, if you have read through this article, you should have the knowledge of how to resolve any issue.
Of course, if you are going to do the job on your own, it will take some time. As long as you are willing to prevail, no time spent will be considered waste; in addition, you will also get to save the money which would otherwise be used to hire mechanics.
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