Car radio inspection at your home or office.

Our certified mechanics come to you · Backed by our 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty · Get a fair and transparent estimate upfront

Car radio is not working Inspection Service

The main point of a car is to get you from point A to point B, but most of us are a lot more comfortable with some entertainment along the way. Car radios have become standard equipment. In fact, they’ve become quite advanced, even on entry-level models. Today’s systems include everything from CD players to satellite radio, built-in subwoofers and a great deal more.

How this system works:

Like other automotive electrical systems, your car’s radio is actually very complex. It pulls power from the alternator while the engine is running, or from the battery if the radio is on but the engine isn’t running. Wiring connects the radio to the battery and alternator, as well as to each of the speakers located throughout the cabin.

All car radios require at least one fuse in order to operate, but depending on the make and model in question (as well as the trim package for the vehicle), your radio may have multiple fuses. Fuses work to protect electrical components from power spikes, and will “blow” if too much current floods the system.

Of course, the radio must also work in tandem with other audio components. For instance, higher-end car audio systems often include an onboard amplifier. If the amp isn’t getting electricity, the system as a whole will not work (but the radio will usually turn on). Troubleshooting car radio problems can be frustrating simply due to the number of potential problems.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Blown Fuse: One of the most common reasons for a car radio to stop working is a blown fuse. If the radio itself will not turn on, chances are good that there’s one or more blown fuses causing the problem. This should be verified by testing the radio for power and ground with a voltmeter, as well as an inspection for blown fuses.

  • Wiring Short: If one of the wires (or more than one) has shorted out in the audio system, you may see either erratic operation, or no operation at all. This can also cause fuses to blow in rapid succession (you replace a fuse and it blows again shortly after).

  • Damaged Antenna or Tuner: If the car’s CD player still works, but the radio itself doesn’t, then the problem most likely lies with either the antenna or the tuner. A damaged antenna means that your radio isn’t able to receive signal from stations. A damaged tuner means that you’ll most likely need to replace the head unit itself.

  • Damaged Speaker Wires - If your car radio will turn on, but you’re not getting sound (or are getting sound from just one or two speakers), the culprit is most likely a speaker wire that’s been damaged. These run through the cabin, connecting each speaker to the head unit (or the amplifier).

What to expect:

A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to inspect the entire audio system and determine the cause of the problem. Depending on the exact symptoms you’re experiencing, the mechanic may have to conduct voltage testing, inspect for blown fuses, trace wiring and more. The mechanic will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How it's done:

The mechanic will need to inspect the vehicle, including the radio, fuses, wiring harness and possibly more depending on the exact symptoms you’re experiencing. The complexity of the modern automotive audio system means that there could be any number of problems present. Depending on the situation, the mechanic will test for voltage into the radio, to the amplifier, to each of the speakers and more. Once the problem has been located, the mechanic will recommend the next step in the process.

How important is this service?

While a nonfunctional car radio won’t prevent you from driving, it can be a serious inconvenience. It limits your entertainment options, but it can actually be a safety issue. Many drivers rely on their radio to help them stay alert and awake while driving.

Car radio problems are most common with aftermarket equipment installed, but even OEM equipment can experience problems ranging from shorts to blown fuses to corrosion. If your car radio isn’t working, or the system isn’t working properly, one of our mechanics can inspect and diagnose the problem, and then repair the system for you.

Fast and easy Car radio is not working Inspection service at your home or office.


Recent Car radio is not working Inspection reviews

Excellent Rating

(10)

Rating Summary
10
0
0
0
0
10
0
0
0
0

Andrew

35 years of experience
7 reviews
Andrew
35 years of experience
Chevrolet Sonic L4-1.8L - Car radio is not working - El Paso, Texas
he researched my problem. Now I can take car to dealership and maybe they will replace radio from recall or warranty. He was honest and did good job

Marko

10 years of experience
29 reviews
Marko
10 years of experience
Chevrolet Camaro V6-3.6L - Car radio is not working - Grayson, Georgia
Great service. He came early and also did everything out in the cold and drove all the way here just to help. Perfect service. Highly recommend!

Rigoberto

11 years of experience
739 reviews
Rigoberto
11 years of experience
Porsche 911 H6-3.4L - Car radio is not working - Chicago, Illinois
Fantastic mechanic- true professional and treats customers with respect. Most importantly is smart and experienced at what he does so turns into a very efficient process and no wasted time.

Eric

12 years of experience
230 reviews
Eric
12 years of experience
Hyundai Sonata L4-2.4L - Car radio is not working - Raleigh, North Carolina
Once he found my car, Eric immediately started the car and found the blown fuse. I thought that was all that was but he listened to my concern about the fuse blowing out again so he checked under the hood and found that a noise cancellation connection to an old system was loose and that could of contributed to the blown fuse problem. All in all, I got my radio back up and rocking! He's as wonderful as everyone else says. I would definitely recommend Eric again!

Recent articles & questions

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Nissan Frontier
When When looking for a truck, the 2012 Nissan Frontier could be the vehicle you’ve been hunting for. It has a great look, a strong engine, and it is reliable. The vehicle has been making gains on other trucks in...
How to Buy a Personalized License Plate in Idaho
Personalized Personalized license plates are a fun and unique way to customize your vehicle. They can make your car uniquely you, send a message to the world, or just look cool. In the state of Idaho, license plates can be...
B1996 OBD-II Trouble Code: Passenger Side Side-Mount Air Bag Circuit Short to Vbatt
B1996 trouble code means there's a problem with the passenger side side-mount air bag circuit, caused by faulty wiring or connectors or the air bag.

Lights work, but car won't start.

I would need more information to determine the problem. If you hear a clicking noise but the engine wont turn over, then your battery may not have enough charge or may have a bad connection. Test the battery, if the...

Starter

Hello, thank you for writing in. Starting the car relies on the battery alone. If the battery is not producing the voltage and amperage needed to start the car, then the battery and the cables need to be inspected. First,...

1978 CJ5 304 Engine stars back firing after it warms up after a long drive on the highway it stars backfiring

If the supply of fuel to the carburetor is reduced once the engine is hot, you might have a vapor lock condition. You might evaluate the location of the fuel lines and relocate as needed. Backfiring (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-causes-a-car-to-backfire) is often caused...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com