Are you wondering what to do if you find your jeep radio not working? If yes, then this article is meant for you.
Radio is a great source of entertainment while driving your car. But if the jeep radio suddenly stops working, it can leave you frustrated. Well, there can be quite a few reasons your jeep radio doesn’t work effectively.
For instance, if the fuse is blown or the antenna gets damaged, the radio does not work. We discuss below why your jeep radio might malfunction, and what you can do about it.
Keep reading to learn more!
Why is Jeep Radio Not Working?
A radio is a device whose functioning is quite complex, like other electronic devices. So, it’s common to have issues with your car radio. When a radio stops working, there could be several things that could have gone wrong. We are listing a few possible causes:
#1. A Blown Fuse
A blown fuse is one of the most common reasons why a jeep radio might stop working. The radio fuse of the Jeep contains a thin wire. It melts when excess current flows through it and breaks the circuit of electric current to the radio. Let me explain in more detail. According to Joule’s law:
H = I^2 x R x T
Where:
- I is the current flowing through the conductor
- R is the resistance in the conductor
- T is the time at which current flows across the conductor.
The thin wire in the fuse is a conductor. When excess current flows in the thin wire, the heat increases, which may cause it to move above the melting point of the wire. That’s why the wire melts. This circuit breaks and the radio stops working.
Your first step is to find which fuse has blown. Remove each fuse from the fuse box and check either visually or with the help of a multimeter. If you find a thin wire in it, the fuse is in good condition; otherwise, it has blown. You need to replace it and put it back in its place. The cost of replacing is just about $15 to $20.
Check the radio after replacing the fuse. If it’s working, then well and good; otherwise, you need to inspect other reasons why the jeep radio is not working.
Also read: What can you do if you have Bluetooth lag in your car?
#2. A Bad wiring Connection
A jeep radio must have a good wiring connection to work effectively. Sometimes, the wiring becomes loose or breaks with time. Check the wiring in the head unit.
Sometimes wires are burnt because of short circuits. In that case, you need to replace them with new ones. Replacing radio wires is not very expensive. Installing new wires in the jeep radio will cost you only about $50.
The wires may also become loose with time. If this is the case, then you need to fix the problem by replacing all the wires. Check the radio once you put in new wires. If it’s working, it’s good, but if it doesn’t work, inspect the other reasons described below.
#3. Bad Amplifier
The amplifier is an electronic device that converts a low-frequency signal into a high-frequency one. When the amplifier does not work, it cannot increase the electric signal, and thus the radio stops working. A usual symptom of a damaged amplifier is that you will hear an unusual sound when turning the radio.
You can repair amplifiers, but most professionals recommend replacing them with a new ones. The cost of replacing the amplifier is usually $400 to $1300.There is a wide variation because the price depends on the radio’s model, the antenna’s quality, the location from where you are buying, and other factors.
#4. Damaged Antenna or Tuner
A damaged antenna is another reason why the radio might have stopped working. The antenna is an essential component of radio. Its primary function is to catch radio waves, convert them into an electric signal, and finally feed them into the radio. When the antenna doesn’t function, it cannot catch radio waves. So, the radio does not work at all.
You need to replace the antenna when it does not function properly. You have to take your vehicle to the garage, which will replace it. The labor cost will be approximately $70 to $75, and the new one will cost you $30.
#5. Defective Head Unit
Your vehicle’s radio will not work if its head unit is damaged. It can have a crack or water can enter inside it. The only solution, in this case, is to replace it. If water has entered inside the head unit, then pull the head unit, dry it thoroughly, and then check the radio.
If you find cracks in the head unit, it’s best to take it to a professional. Repairing the head unit will cost between $ 200 to $300.
How to Change Jeep Wrangler 2015 Radio?
If nothing else works, you might have to change your radio unit completely. In a Jeep Wrangler, changing the radio unit is quite easy. You don’t have to pay money to a professional; you can do it yourself. All you need is to have three tools: a flashlight, socket, and screwdriver.
Here are the steps you need to follow.
#1. Remove the A/C vents
Your first task is to remove three AC vents present on the dashboard of the vehicle. You must follow the steps described below.
- Open the louvers or grille, which helps in directing the airflow.
- Take a flashlight and try to look inside the vent. You will mainly look inside the top vent where JEEP will be written.
- Rotate the louvers until you find a square hole just under the word JEEP.
- Put the screwdriver inside the square hole and gently pull downward to release the lock mechanism.
- Now turn the vent in a counter-clockwise direction and pull the louvers. The entire AC will be detached from the housing.
- Apply the same procedure with the other louvers and remove the vents.
#2. Taking out the switch for power windows
Now, your next step is to take out the switch for the power window, which is present between two vent holes. Insert your hand inside the two vent holes and gently pop the switch. But as you pop it, you will find that the wiring harness is attached to its back.
You need to separate the power window switch from the wiring harness. You can do it by removing two locks, i.e., primary and secondary locks. Take a screwdriver and push the red lock mechanism, which is visible on the side of the wiring harness. Once the primary lock is released, you can easily remove the secondary lock with your hands.
#3. Unscrew the first two 7mm bolts
Next; you need to unscrew two 7mm bolts in the vehicle. You will find the first one just beneath the power switch (recently removed). Remove the bolt with the help of a 7mm socket. Keep the bolt inside the cup holder; otherwise, you may lose it.
The next 7mm bolt is under the rubber storage tray. You need to remove the rubber liner and take a socket wrench and socket to remove the bolt. Keep the bolt in a safe position.
#4. Remove the bolts near your steering wheel.
You will find a trim panel just under the steering column. The trim panel is plastic; you need to remove it gently. After removing the trim panel, you will find two more 7mm bolts on both left and right sides. Remove the bolts with the same socket wrench and socket.
#5. Take out the panel on the dashboard trim
Now, the next step is to remove the dashboard trim panel. You must first lower the steering column and gently unsnap the trim panel with your hands. The trim panel is large but light enough to hold easily with hands.
#6. Uninstall the OEM radio
Taking out the radio is relatively easy compared to all the other steps discussed above. There are four 7 mm bolts on each corner of the OEM radio. You need to remove these screws with a socket wrench and a socket.
Now gently pull out the radio. You will find antenna cables and a wiring harness at the back of the radio. Gently remove them, and the old radio is out of the vehicle.
Now connect the new radio in the Jeep and reverse the above steps. You need to connect the wires, secure the bolts, trim the panel, and power the window switch. Additionally, the AC vents need to be placed back in their position.
Also Read: Lexus Screen Turning On and Off: Quick Fixes and Tips
Does my Jeep have Uconnect?
The Jeep Uconnect an in-car infotainment system for your vehicle. You can use touch screen buttons to adjust the temperature and seat inside the cabin. You can make calls, check messages, change music, and much more. Jeeps like Wrangler4xe, Grand Cherokee, Range come with U connect infotainment system.
How do I reset my UConnect Jeep?
- Turn the key to put the vehicle in ignition mode. But allow it to stay in the parking.
- Now press the volume button for almost 10-20 seconds.
- The touch screen will display the brand of the vehicle and turn black.
- After a few seconds, the touch screen will again show the brand name of the vehicle. It’s just like restarting a computer.
- The U Connect system will soon return to the main screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
#1. What do you do when your jeep radio stops working?
You must first check the fuse when the jeep radio suddenly stops working. If it’s blown, you must purchase a new fuse and install it in the vehicle. Simultaneously check the head unit, antenna, and amplifier. If you find any of them in bad condition, it’s wise to replace them. The wires can also lose or burn with time. If you find the wires burnt, then it’s good to replace them with new ones.
#2. Why doesn’t my radio work in my Jeep Wrangler?
If the radio does not work in the jeep wrangler, it may be because of a few possible reasons:
- The fuse has blown away.
- Antenna has been damaged
- The amplifier is not working properly.
- The Head unit is cracked, or water has entered inside it.
- Wires have become loose or burnt.
#3. Why is my jeep radio screen black
If the jeep radio screen is black, there may be a problem with U connect software. A software update is the best way to resolve this problem. A blown fuse is another reason for the radio screen turning black. Replacing the fuse will help in solving the problem
Wrap Up
We have discussed above all the possible reasons why the radio in a Jeep might suddenly stop working. In most cases, it is not necessary to replace the radio; you can fix the problem for a very small amount. So, if your Jeep radio is burnt out, investigate the problem and fix it accordingly.
Thank you for reading!