usm89

In my 2000 pontiac Bonneville the radio display is dark on the left hand side. At night and with the correct angle of light during daytime I can see the correct display. I suspect lightbulbs to be the culprit is the something a mid-level mechanical guy could repair? Are there replacements available? How do I get to the display...etc. I have looked for manuals for this car and not located any..?

gofer

Did you ever figure out the fix for your radio display? I have the same problem with mine, and haven't found a fix for it yet.

Thanx

usm89

I have not repaired the problem, I did find some information. Two web sites seem to be very familiar with the problem

www.carstereohelp.com

www.corvetteradio.com

I think the bulb is going to cost around $20. The problem will come with disabling the security codes. I probably will attempt my repair next week, I am taking some vacation time and will do it then if I get the bulb in time.

One of the above sites tells where to order the bulb ( not a GM stock item) and also gives some decent radio removal instructions. Please let me know how your coming along with your repair.

I've gone as far as to start looking at aftermarket radios, don't want to but by the time I add aeverything up it will cost close to 75-100 dollars to repair.


Dan

gofer

Thanks for the information. I thought about an after market unit also - but not sure if I feel like trying to do that or not. I read an article from the web from a NASA engineer that did it, and it had more or less step by step of how he did it. But it took him like 5 days! I don't have the web address with me, I'll forward it to you later.

Thanx again,

Terry

gofer

The link to the guy that installed the after market stereo is:

http://homepage.mac.com/markhooton/radio_web.html

it's an interesting article, with pictures and other links for harnesses and such....

Terry

gofer

Did you have any luck? I haven't had a chance to order the bulb yet, but plan on getting them on order this weekend......

Thanks,

Terry

usm89

No luck, I finally carried the car to a local shop that had the reputation of doing this type repair. He took one look at my radio, did not even pull it said it could not be repaired. I went straight from there to an aftermarket shop, had a radio installed. Took the old unit home put it on my bench and determined the guy was right. The whole display was made as a modular unit and most likely would cost more than an aftermarket radio.

As a side note I do happen to know where the factory is where this piece of crap is made. I did some contract work for Caterpillar in Nuevo Laredo Mexico a few months ago and the Delphi factory that makes these is across the street. I also met the guy that ran the factory about the time these units were made...small world eh..

Dan

gofer

Thanks for the information - hopefully the Catapillar plant turns out a better product!

Yeah, I started to order the bulbs, but I could tell from the pictures in the instructions that that one was not the right bulb - couldn't tell from the other instructions since there was no picture of the front of the radio. Did notice that they would fix the problem for a different listed radio for the Bonneville (from what you said, probably the one we have) for close to $200.

So I believe you did the right thing, and what I plan on doing now. I would like to change it out myself, but it may be prudent to have it done.

Thanks again for the help.

Terry

greytattoo

My 2000 bonnevilles radio display had the same problem, I took it in to the local car auto guys and they fixed it real quick. It was a light bulb, it has to be solderd in, not just a plug in bulb. It ran me about 75 bucks, but i guess its better then buying a new radio.

gofer

Thanks for the information. I hadn't done anything to mine yet - just had to replace the battery this week - that's different, with it being underneath the back seat and all. And I had a rear power window that wouldn't raise back up - so it's been the Bonneville wants attention week.

I'm grateful to hear that it's just a lightbulb - I really couldn't determine from my investigation whether it was a lightbulb, the display, or what. I'll procede with getting it fixed, or fixing it since now I know that's all it is!

Thanks again for your reply.

Terry

indyracer

I think they are LED's and not light bulbs. I had the same problem with mine and bought a new radio from ebay for $70. One from the dealer is about $500 or $600 I think.

gofer

Thanks for the information - gotten busy with other things, and haven't gone anything to the radio yet. I did look on ebay briefly, but didn't see one on it at the time. Have to keep my eyes open, if I could get one that cheap, it would be the way to go.......

Blackmax100

Just wanted to let you guys know.

I have a 99 Bonneville factory CD player single disc type.

My display was totally dark. After some research I learned that there is a light bulb used for back-lighting the display.
If you take a flashlight and turn it sideways against the display, and you can read the display, your bulb is out.

I bought mine from www.corvetteradio.com for $18 shipped. It took about a week to arrive.

total repair time was about 20 minutes. lucky for me, mine was the screw in type.
There are also people on E-Bay who will repair the display for around $30 plus shipping.

It is hard to beat the factory system for sound quality.

gofer

Thanks Blackmax100 for the info - I agree, I'd like to keep the factory system in the car. I still haven't fixed the display yet - hopefully during the holidays.

gvalex80

the following site should be usefull or the part number for the dealer is 16208443
http://users.adelphia.net/~bpaskevich/index_files/Radio_Lamp_repair.htm