If you have a Jeep Wrangler with a radio not working, then you’ve come to the right place. When your Jeep’s radio fails to work or does not produce any sound, it can be frustrating. If your Jeep’s radio is not working, you’ll not listen to your favorite radio station while driving. Lucky for you, it’s easy to identify the problems.
What you ought to know is that while some of the problems that make your Jeep’s radio not work are unavoidable, there are solutions that will get your radio working again.
Want to know the problems that prevent your Jeep’s radio from working?
Read on.
Why Did the Radio in My Jeep Stop Working?
The following are reasons why the radio in your Jeep is not working. We have also included solutions to each problem.
1. Wiring Problems
Like any other machine, the car radio has numerous wires that connect various components to ensure the radio works. Of course, since the car radio has wires, they have the potential of causing problems. This is true, especially as your car radio ages. Some of the wires will become loose, broken, or damaged.
If this happens to your Jeep’s radio, you won’t be able to listen to your favorite music or listen to your favorite radio shows. If you recently installed an aftermarket car stereo in your Jeep, wiring problems will also be present.
With custom stereos, wiring problems originate from incorrect installation. Or the model is not compatible with your Jeep. In some cases, vibrations can shake a few wires loose.
So, if your Jeep’s radio stops working, then check the conditions of the wires inside the stereo’s head unit.
Solution
We recommend that you check for loose connections. If you find any loose connections, fix them. In case the wires got damaged, the reason could be shorted wires. When current flows back into the power sources instead of via the intended circuit, the wires will short. If you find any shorted wires, replace them.
We recommend that you seek the help of a professional radio technician to replace the damaged or broken wires.
2. Blown Fuse
Another problem that will prevent your Jeep’s radio from working is a blown fuse. There are several reasons why your Jeep’s radio blew its fuse. Car radios use a certain amount of wattage to work. If the installed fuse is the incorrect one, there is a good chance it will blow.
Your radio’s fuse could also blow if there are too many components running on one fuse. If you were to inspect the circuits, you’ll discover that the overloaded circuits blew your radio’s fuse.
Lastly, we have intermittent shorts which are usually caused by faulty and old wires. When two damaged, broken, or loose wires touch, they overload the circuits with the power which causes the fuse to blow. The good news is you can replace the fuse, and your Jeep’s radio will work again.
Solution
The first thing you need to do is determine the correct size. To do this, you have to consider the wattage used. We recommend consulting your vehicle’s manual before you replace or repair a blown fuse.
The owner’s manual will give you the correct location of your radio’s fuse box and the assigned circuit for all the fuses. Start by removing the car radio from the dashboard, then remove the fuse box lid with your small screwdriver or hand.
Once the lid is open, use tweezers to remove the blown fuse.
3. Car Touch Screen Radio Unresponsive
Modern Jeeps have a 7-inch to an 8.4-inch touchscreen car stereo. Sometimes when you touch the screen and swipe for commands, the touch screen does not respond. Basically, the screen remains fixed, and nothing happens no matter how many times you try.
One of the reasons why this may happen is due to physical damage. Touch screens are quite fragile and may get damaged. If the touch screen gets cracked, it will be unresponsive.
Sometimes even minute scratches can make the touchscreen unresponsive. This may happen if you use anything sharp to operate the touch screen. On other occasions, water and other liquids may make your Jeep’s radio unresponsive. If you fail to wipe the touch screen properly, the liquid will find its way inside and damage the touch screen.
Lastly, we have software errors. This may be the reason why your car stereo’s touch screen is unresponsive. If you recently installed a new app or updated to the latest software, the touchscreen may take time to adjust to the new software. If the app or software is not compatible with your car stereo, the touch screen will become unresponsive.
Solution
To resolve the problem, take a soft microfiber cloth, spray a digital screen cleaner on the car stereo screen and clean it gently. Then, use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe the screen clean. If this does not work, try rebooting the car stereo.
When you reboot, the car stereo starts afresh. To reboot the car stereo, unplug the power cord, wait a few minutes, then plug the power cord again.
4. Damaged or Faulty Tuner or Antenna
Your Jeep’s tuner or antenna might be faulty or damaged and this will affect the reception of signals. If your car stereo is not receiving the signals correctly, it will not function properly. This means you can’t listen to your favorite songs or radio shows while driving.
The antenna on your Jeep has metal bars and wires inside with a fiberglass or rubber coating on the outside designed to keep it safe. Today, modern vehicles have a roof-mounted antenna or a hidden antenna design. But when it comes to the Jeep, they still use the old rod antenna since the roof and windows are removable.
Solution
The only solution for a faulty tuner or antenna is to replace it. To do so, we recommend taking your Jeep to a professional mechanic to replace your faulty or damaged antenna or tuner.
5. Damaged Amplifier
Extreme temperatures can cause damage to your amplifier. Basically, temperature induces the electronics to freeze or overheat causing them to break down. Besides temperature, overheating can also damage your amplifier.
Overheating arises from faulty cooling systems, or lack of ventilation. While car amplifiers come with built-in protective circuits, overheating can damage them. Your amplifiers can become faulty or damaged.
Solution
The best solution for your faulty or damaged amplifier is to replace it. A new amplifier for your Jeep can set you back $300 to $1500. This depends on the quality of the unit and model.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reset my Jeep radio?
To reset your Jeep’s radio, hold the radio power button for at least 10 seconds. Another method is where you hold both the turner and volume knobs and push them for at least 10 to 20 seconds. The screen will flash with your vehicle’s brand name and then go dark. Next, the car stereo will restart and return to the home screen.
Why is my Jeep radio screen black?
When your Jeep’s radio screen goes black, the issue could be a bug in the software. Another reason why your radio screen went black is due to a blown fuse, faulty backlight, or wiring problems.
Where is the radio fuse on a Jeep?
The interior fuse box is under the driver’s footwell just underneath the dash or steering column.
What causes a radio to have no sound?
Wiring shorts, blown fuses, damaged speakers, or faulting inputs are some of the causes for the radio not having sound.
Can a low car battery affect the radio?
Yes, a low or dead battery can result in your car radio not working.
Final Words
There you have it, a simple guide of 5 reasons why your car radio in your Jeep is not working and their solutions. Now that you know what to look for, anytime your car stereo fails to work or produces no sound, you can identify the issue and resolve it immediately. This will ensure that you continue listening to your favorite music and radio shows.