Radio Clock

[lionelkirk2004]

I have a 1996 Pontiac Grand AM SE and the clock doesn't work. You can't see the clock display. Any Idea to what it is?

[bsdunek]

When mine went out it was the display driver chip in the radio. Fortunately it was still under warranty.
The second time it went out it was out of warranty. The dealer wanted $65 to remove the radio and send it out. The repair shop got $95 an hour for repairs, so we're talking $160 minimum, and more likely $255.
I bought another radio off ebay for $24 plus shipping, maybe $8. It takes about 10 minutes to change the radio.

Hope this helps your decision.

Bruce

[Degtr]

bsdunek is right, might as well just put in a new radio before wasting any time or money trying to fix the clock on an old one. I'm not sure what they had on the '96, but on the '99 it's a backlit LED display. Once that backlight goes, you can't see the time or the radio frequency unless you shine bright light onto the panel.

[lionelkirk2004]

Yeah, thats whats wrong. So I think i will just get a new radio.

[Degtr]

If the aesthetics matter to you, make sure you get one that has the option of amber backlight, otherwise there's a chance you'll end up with a green or white lit radio in an otherwise amber dash on a Pontiac.