Another dead radio thread...

[demulsion]

Sorry for the redundancy, this truck is new to me so I’m still trying to figure out all the threads I’ve been reading on these radios. Mine appears to be completely dead, I’ve checked the fuses (including the one along the loom near the battery/brake booster), tried all the different soft reset buttons I read about, and have disconnected the battery for 15-20 minutes multiple times. Nothing will get any of the infotainment system to turn on at all.

Truck is a 2018 Ram 1500 ST with 21k on the clock. I bought it used, and the radio was dead when I got it.

Is there any surefire way for me to determine that it’s a problem with the radio, without buying a new one and trying it?

I called my local dealership and they couldn’t tell me if it was covered under warranty, but either way they’re a month out for appointments to look at it.

 

[Michael]

Which radio do you have?

 

[SitKneelBend]

Sorry for the redundancy, this truck is new to me so I’m still trying to figure out all the threads I’ve been reading on these radios. Mine appears to be completely dead, I’ve checked the fuses (including the one along the loom near the battery/brake booster), tried all the different soft reset buttons I read about, and have disconnected the battery for 15-20 minutes multiple times. Nothing will get any of the infotainment system to turn on at all.

Truck is a 2018 Ram 1500 ST with 21k on the clock. I bought it used, and the radio was dead when I got it.

Is there any surefire way for me to determine that it’s a problem with the radio, without buying a new one and trying it?

I called my local dealership and they couldn’t tell me if it was covered under warranty, but either way they’re a month out for appointments to look at it.

The easiest is to just try a new radio (for most people). I would not buy from a reseller but straight from a salvage/recycling yard. If you need help finding one at a good price I'd be happy to help.

Now's a good time to look into an 8.4 upgrade too if you don't already have one.

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

 

[demulsion]

Which radio do you have?

I’m not certain, but it’s pretty small. Base model truck.

 

[demulsion]

The easiest is to just try a new radio (for most people). I would not buy from a reseller but straight from a salvage/recycling yard. If you need help finding one at a good price I'd be happy to help.

Now's a good time to look into an 8.4 upgrade too if you don't already have one.

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

I’m used to older rigs where I can put 12v to two pins on the radio plug, to see if it will turn on.

Is it easier to buy a good used one, or go aftermarket? I’m simply looking for something functional.

 

[tron67j]

You might find a base radio from someone on this forum that has done an upgrade. Pretty easy to pull radio out to get model number, that will help you find same unit, if that is what you want. If buying aftermarket there are so many options. One thing, do you have volume and channel controls on back of steering wheel? If not, you may want to upgrade if you are going aftermarket.

 

[SitKneelBend]

I’m used to older rigs where I can put 12v to two pins on the radio plug, to see if it will turn on.

Is it easier to buy a good used one, or go aftermarket? I’m simply looking for something functional.

It'll be much simpler to go with an OEM replacement. I'm not sure if these radios will "power-up" without receiving a signal from the CANBUS.

There may be some forum member who has an RA1 radio (which I assume is what you have) for the cost of shipping. If you post a picture of your radio I can tell you what you have.

You said it never worked. Did you check to see if the radio is plugged in to the harness immediately behind it in the dash? Its possible someone upgraded it and removed the upgrade but neglected to plug it back in?

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

 

[SitKneelBend]

You might find a base radio from someone on this forum that has done an upgrade. Pretty easy to pull radio out to get model number, that will help you find same unit, if that is what you want. If buying aftermarket there are so many options. One thing, do you have volume and channel controls on back of steering wheel? If not, you may want to upgrade if you are going aftermarket.

Great minds...

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

 

[tron67j]

Yes in deed.

 

[Michael]

As suggested above check the back of the radio to make sure the plug is plugged in and seated properly. This is free to do and fairly simple to do.

If it’s plugged proper and you do have power at the plug then I replace it. I wouldn’t waste my money on an oem unit; they are sub par to what is available in the aftermarket. When I replaced mine it took me about a half hour to do. I had to cut one bracket and program the idata component on my computer. Go to crutchfields and enter your truck into the page. Then you can look at the units that will work with you truck. They can guide you to not only will work with your truck, but also any extra components you’ll need to keep oem setting functionality. When I bought mine I opted to pay an extra $25 for them to make up the harness. So when I installed it everything was just plug and play. If your truck came with a backup camera it works with it. If it didn’t this is a good time to add one. A backup camera isn’t needed, but they are great to have. The unit I installed also has wireless CarPlay/ Android auto built in too. That’s something none of the oem head units have.

 

[demulsion]

Well I’ll be... You guys were spot on, it was unplugged. I wouldn’t have thought that would be the culprit in a truck this new. Thanks a bunch!

 

[Michael]

Well I’ll be... You guys were spot on, it was unplugged. I wouldn’t have thought that would be the culprit in a truck this new. Thanks a bunch!

Don’t you just love free fixes?