Technical Newbie! My factory fitted radio works but no sound!

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Technical Newbie! My factory fitted radio works but no sound!

Sidley

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Nov 16, 2008
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Hi all,

Please be gentle to this Forum newbie (let alone FiatForum newbie)...

I have a problem which I will do my best to try and explain and I would be most grateful for any input on this as I am not a car expert by any means...:D

My factory fitted radio on my mk2 Punto turns on ok and auto tunes to BBC Radio 1 fine... it also switches to tape and mechanically starts playing, however I have no sound...:eek:

I have checked the fuses under the bonnet (next to the battery) all fine! I have checked the fuses inside (by the drivers right knee) also seem fine!(y)

The history:

Bought in 2005 with factory fitted radio, added a blaupunkt 10 disc changer to the boot... Got a cable off ebay, fitted it myself and all was fine... Radio worked, CD changer worked, tape player worked...:slayer:

About 3 months ago, whilst driving, the radio cut out so I turned the HU off and back on... still no sound... Next day, started car and all was back to normal... This happened on and off for about 6 weeks, then it became more frequent, no sound for days on end, though radio seemed fine (could change stations / modes etc but no sound)... I then noticed that the radio would be on and I would adjust the volume and "D'oh!" sound was gone again (also happened a few times whilst braking)... I now seem to have lost all sound so in attempt to get it back, I have disconnected the CD changer (which I hardly use any more thanks to Ipod)...:bang:

and that's about it... Any input, advice, diagrams or workarounds would be GR8! :idea:

Please help before I have to start driving with headphones in!

Couple of other points:

• it has the factory fit 100W subwoofer in the boot above left wheel arch... (when I pull the fuse out the speakers crackle, which I hope is a good sign):slayer:

• When I turn the HU off, I can hear a small click come from the 100W sub, which again I think means that power is getting from the HU to the Sub...:slayer:

• I have unplugged all cables, and disassembled the 100W sub - all seems fine electronically (no loose wires or dry solder joints)(y)

Many, many thanks in advance!

Sid :worship:
 
Hi there and welcome :)

The crackling shows that its not the speakers as there is some form of power getting there. I would guess at the headunit being the culprit and that it has given up (like the output amplifier has stuffed up).

Do you have an aftermarket one you could try attaching for a little bit to see if this fixes it at all (you may not be able to connect up the subwoofer but at least this will test the original headunit)

Hope that helps some!
 
Hi Sabre,

Wow that was a fast reply, unfortunately no new head unit to try out...

If the output Amp had gone, or was on it's way out could another electrical device trigger it to fail when it was used... As I put in my original post, it appears to fail when I brake (brake lights coming on), when I adjust the volume up or down, use electric windows etc...

My initial thought was that me having the CD changer in the boot was causing more power to be used by the head unit which was messing up the electrics of the car... (I also have a headlight that keeps blowing regularly i.e. new bulb fitted friday before last and bulb went by last monday)...

My dad reckoned it could be something to do with the battery, but I'm not convinced... Does any one know of a cheap head unit I could buy that should work with the mk2 Punto...?

Also if I checked eBay for a new HU same as the factory one - would it still work? I'm thinking of OEM codes etc....

Thanks,

Sid
 
Hi Sabre,

Wow that was a fast reply, unfortunately no new head unit to try out...

If the output Amp had gone, or was on it's way out could another electrical device trigger it to fail when it was used... As I put in my original post, it appears to fail when I brake (brake lights coming on), when I adjust the volume up or down, use electric windows etc...

My initial thought was that me having the CD changer in the boot was causing more power to be used by the head unit which was messing up the electrics of the car... (I also have a headlight that keeps blowing regularly i.e. new bulb fitted friday before last and bulb went by last monday)...

My dad reckoned it could be something to do with the battery, but I'm not convinced... Does any one know of a cheap head unit I could buy that should work with the mk2 Punto...?

Also if I checked eBay for a new HU same as the factory one - would it still work? I'm thinking of OEM codes etc....

Thanks,

Sid

This sounds like a set of dodgy earths to me, I arent sure which earth points are which but have you made sure all the battery terminals are firmly attached? you havent fitted HID bulbs have you?

if you are close to me I could try and take a look and bring a spare HU I have to test if youd like but getting the Earth Points checked out is the number 1 priority, all we need now is a knowledgable fiat tech or mk2 owner!
 
Again many thanks for your quick reply!

I'm in West Yorkshire... So not sure if that suits... I am in no hurry, and with current cash climate - I'm not in a great rush to spend bundles of notes... I have just run out and checked terminals and all seems fine - bit mucky and greasy - but solid... Wouldn't a dodgy connection stop other areas of the cars electronics working though?

Sid
 
It would depend on the deisgn and tolerances of all the parts and there are several earth points with different things attached around the car so one dodgy connection may only effect a few parts (such as if the wiring off the switch box is dodgy then that could have some negative effects limited to only a few devices)

Im in staffordshire by evening/weekend and Leicstershire by day and wont be in Yorkshire for 2 weeks or so and arent sure a detour would be appreciated by the missus!

Hopefully have it sorted by then anyway :)
 
Thanks for your pointers Sabre!

I will check out those come daylight... I have upped your thanks to a big 43!

Thanks buddy

Sid
 
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