Radio not working/no power - after the alternator was replaced, fuse is ok, radio seems ok, but no power?

Question

My radio doesnt work - it happened the day I replaced the alternator at the repair shop..my car has an antenna which goes up and down properly, so I dont think its the fuse...what else could be the cause? I bought an additional faceplate, but still nothing..please help, thanks. My car is a '93 Ford Thunderbird

Answer 1

You might have a separate amp for the speakers in there somewhere on a different fuse. Also, make sure they didn't forget to hook the engine to chassis ground wire up when they replaced the alternator. That will mess up all kinds of electrical stuff.

Answer 2

I suspect that somehow the ground connection, not the power connection, has been lost between the sound components and the chassis.

If this is a single-unit radio (no separate amp), use an ohm meter to be sure there is a good connection between the metal frame of the radio and the car chassis ground. That other devices operate (such as the antenna) suggests that the alternator, engine block, and chassis are connected.

You didn't say, but I'm assuming that the headlights work and the car starts. The headlights are a larger load than any standard radio.

If you have an amp, the radio lights up, but no sound, then look to the amps power and (especially) ground.

Ground connections can often be created "by accident" if things are not properly installed. A later "accident" can easily remove the unintended ground connection, such as surfaces rusting, parts shifting, fixing a bad wire, straightening how a radio fits in the dash, or many other things.

Answer 3

There's a good chance that your problem lies with the alternator itself. Not because it's bad, but because it doesn't have enough power for what your asking it to do. You probably have an after market radio in your car. one that you have modified with probably an amp, and/or a subwoofer right? Maybe even a twenty disc cd changer in the trunk? Your asking an alternator that's not rated for that type of power consumption to give you give you what it can't.

Answer 4

There is probably a fuse for it in the fuseblock, and another fuse in-line somewhere along the power cord. Be sure to check both fuses. Also, there may be a fuse on the back side of the radio itself to check.

Answer 5

I had an identical prob. different than my headlights and horn have been down besides. I took it to 10 shops and got here upon mechanics hate electric themes. 'bout 0.5 declined the activity and the different a million/2 warily advised me their ridiculous diagnostic fees with out gaurentees. somebody advised me of a place that good in electric themes- thats all they did and that they fixed the concern for $50 in 20 minutes. became out to be a foul relay

Answer 6

You have to put in a code after the battery has been disconnected.