97 Bonneville Radio Problem

[cesium]

I have a 1997 Bonneville SE with the stock radio.

A few months ago and still present, the radio seems to be dead. It does not turn on, the clock is dead, pressing buttons doesn't do anything, etc.

However, randomly, the radio jumps back to life and everything works perfectly. It works for anywhere from an hour to a day, before going back to being dead.

It used to do this frequently when we hit bumps or something, but now it is completely random as to when it turns on.

Before this happened, we had disassembled the power antenna in the back, and never put it back together. COuld this be the problem?

[mamacatof3]

It definately sounds like you have a short... or loose wire behind your radio. I'm not sure about the antenna though. I would call a car instalation place & ask.... if they'll tell you.

[cesium]

We have taken out the radio and checked out the wires and they seem fine, though there is probably the chance that further down the wire they may be shorting out.

Yeah, we have asked 2 or 3 installation places but no one wants to help unless we buy a new radio, which we hopefully will not have to, especially if its the wire thats bad.

[brode013]

Antenna not causing this-time to buy a radio, be it a used oe, or an upgrade to the Alpine you know you deserve Most yards will sell a good condition oe stereo for $75 or so, depending on rarity and model (ie std AM/FM cassette cheap, Bose high $)

[cesium]

Well I don't want to buy a new radio if its the wires thats causing the issue> It doesn't make any sense that it turns on and off randomly. For hte past 5 days it has been working perfectly, and thats baffling me.

[richtazz]

IF you have no antenna hooked up at all, it could be the problem. The radio gets part of it's ground through the antenna, so it will not operate if you don't have some form of antenna hooked to it.