How to Fix an Old Car Radio
An old car radio might have served you well in its prime, but it might be time to fix it if it's broken. Every year, aftermarket manufacturers make new stereo units that fit right into the factory DIN slots on the dash where the old radio was located. This is especially helpful when you need to fix that old, busted radio. Unfortunately, because radios contain complicated electrical components and circuit boards, if the radio is truly dead, there's no real fix that can be done other than to troubleshoot the problem, verify that it is broken, and then replace the entire sealed unit.
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Instructions
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Open the fuse box underneath the dash and verify that the fuse for the radio has not "popped." If the fuse is broken, replace it with a new fuse. You might need to use the fuse puller that comes attached to your fuse box. Snap the guide teeth on the fuse puller around the end of the fuse to pull it out.
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Turn the radio on. If the fuse has not failed, and the radio will not turn on, the radio is dead or the wiring is faulty.
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3
Insert the tips of the DIN tools into the DIN slots on the radio head unit. There are two DIN tools for most radio units. Each tool gets inserted on either side of the radio unit. The DIN tools look like miniature horseshoes. These are actually keys that will unlock the radio head unit and allow you to remove it to install a new unit.
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4
Push the DIN tools all the way into the unit until you hear a click. The DIN tools should be parallel to each other now that they are inserted into the DIN slots on the radio. Push the DIN tools away from each other and pull out toward you. The radio will come out with the DIN tools.
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5
Inspect the wiring for damage. If there is none, then the radio most likely has failed.
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Unplug the antenna and the plug-style electrical connectors from the radio.
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Plug the antenna and electrical connectors into the new radio, and turn the power on to verify that the new radio works. If it does, then slide the radio unit into the DIN in the dash until you hear it click. The click indicates that the unit is locked into place.
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Tips & Warnings
For specific information about removing the radio in your car, consult the particular vehicle's manual (see Resources).
