Stock Radio Problem
 

First, I tried a search and came up empty....a tough task on a 28.8 modem!! :(

Anyway, here's the trouble. I've got a 2001 LX 2.0. It's almost exactly one year old. Just in the last few days, I've noticed that upon starting my Pro, the LCD display for the radio will be totall FUBARed. The digits don't say what they should (ie. if it's 8:00, it'll be screwed up and read 9:15 or something like that). If I hit a button on the radio (ie hit the "clock" button or turn to a different station) the numbers go back to normal.

Sometimes the problem just fixes itself if I don't touch it, but the last couple of times, I've had to hit a button to make it change back to normal.

I usually always turn the radio off before shutting off my car, but I have also left the radio on and the problem has occurred in both instances.

Also, I am running a radar detector off of the lighter. I have tried unplugging everything from the lighter socket, but I still get the same problem.

So basically, I've had the problem even when there is absolutely nothing running except for the engine (ie. no air, no radio, no radar detector, etc.).

Does anybody have any ideas? I'm definitely gonna call a dealership, but I KNOW that if I tell them it's intermittent, then they'll tell me I'm SOL or some crap like that.

Thanks in advance! :D

Sounds kind of similar to the problem I had with my 2002 P5. One day out of no where my HU ate my CD, it wouldn't play, it wouldn't eject, and after extended periods of time, screwing around with it, it would finally partially eject enough to grab and pull out the CD, but then the RADIO and CD would keep switching back and forth as if there were a CD in the HU, but there wasn't!

I took it in to be replaced (Warranty) and they informed me there was a bug problem were a grounding strap had not been installed with that model, since installing the grounding strap I have not had any problems at all.

Hope maybe that helps!

There is a wire to the radio that keeps constant power to the unit. This is what memorizes your radio station presets, where you were on a CD, the clock time, etc. Sounds like something is shorting out either within the radio or the wiring to the radio. Either way, it's under warrenty.

My experience with radios in cars under warranty is that the dealer just replaces the unit with a new one. Although stereos are expensive options on new cars, the units the manufacturers install are about the cheapest made. You can buy a better unit at any aftermarket stereo place than you will find in a new car.

If this happens after the car has been sitting over night, you might have a problem with the dealer being able to duplicate the problem. A polaroid picture of the display would help, if you have access to an old instant camera. Digital would be helpful too.

I'm amazed at how problems "disappear" when you take the car in. I have not had good luck with dealers duplicating problems - and of course the problem will happen again on the way home from the dealer.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE Pro_fan !!! :eek:

I have the EXACTLY same problem. :mad:
I have to go to the stealership next week, so I will tell them about that problem, we'll see what they'll do.

I finally uploaded some of the digital pics that I am taking with me tomorrow so that they have NO excuse to not fix it.

http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group...c=gr%26.view=t

Hope that works!!!

uhh that link doesn't work.. sorry.. hey what kinda radar detector you got? does it work well?
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Vapor Genie Vaporizer

These factory radio are built cheap. You have a cold or broken solder on the display driver circuit and a bad capacitor that is not refreshing the display. It is a costly repair because of the R&R of the deck. If you remove it and take it to your local factory radio repair shop you just might make out. There are radio repair shops that specialize in factory radio repairs. I used to own one. If it is under warranty let Mazda fix it. Hope that helps

Thanks for the advice ZZooomm. I'm taking it in tomorrow (Fri July 12). Like I said, I'm taking in the pics so hopefully all goes well.

pr5owner: The link works for me...maybe you have to be a member of that board where the pic is hosted or something?

Anyway, I have a BEL 936....It gets too many false alarms and it didn't help prevent me from getting a photo radar ticket. I'd say it hasn't worked very well so far, and I've had it for almost a year now....pay the extra money and get a Valentine 1 or top of the line Bel or Passport detectors.

Took my Pro over to a dealership today.

I showed them the digital photos of the screwed up display and they looked at the pics and said, "ok, we'll order you a new stereo," and that was that.

Now I'm not sure if that was a good thing. I'm pretty sure it's something with the LCD display only because the unit plays CD's fine and the radio works normally too.

Oh well...at least it's all under warranty! :D

good luck mike, most likely it is just a faulty LCD display, but with nowadays everything being modular, might as well replace the whole head unit :)