Radio Backlighting

[3400-95Modified]

Ok in my moms GA the backlighting on her monsoon radio seems to be acting up. It looks as if one light/led is burnt out; the display closest to the volume dial doesn’t light up anymore. This just recently happened in the process of checking the hazard blinker relay, I never removed the radio in this process so I'm somewhat confused on how I could have possibly burnt out a light because I know they are LED's, ok my question is, would it be possible to replace this one LED, I'm pretty well excelled in electronics and I have a lot of equipment in that area at my disposal at work so the hard part i guess would be getting access to the light, and finding a replacement. If this is possible I would appreciate a response.

If you were wondering I am from the Bstuff and beretta.net message boards, and since all of those cars have aftermarket radios because the stock one sucks, they can’t really help me with this issue. And hey I'm half a Grand Am, My engine came from a 2000 GA :lol:

[Tommy00GT1]

http://www.corvetteradios.com/

Hi Jonathan.. Assuming that you didn't accidentally dislocate any wires, maybe you have a burnt out bulb. The website above has all kinds of factory Delco radio replacement bulbs. There is also photo tutorials on how to replace the bulbs.
Some factory Delco radios are notorious for premature bulb burnouts; I'm not certain if your particular radio is included in those models that have the burnout issues...
Some of the bulbs are a bit pricey, but it sure beats trying to see what your doing in the nighttime.
Good luck; take care.

Tommy

[3400-95Modified]

Thanks a bunch. I'll check that site out.

[pokesmot]

If the rest of the radio illuminates, and its only one portion of the radio that is no longer illuminated, then it is most likely a bulb; however some newer stuff uses surface mount LED's which are pretty tiny and difficult to replace.

I also excel in electronics. if what you say is true, then it should be no problem changing the bulbs.

Just make sure when you take apart the deck that you examine everything carefully before starting, and only remove as minimal as possible to be able to get access to the bulb to make reassembly a bit easier. (I say this because I knew someone who removed some screws that held the amp to the heatsink, and they didnt fasten it down tight enough when they reassembled it and they burned out the amplifier in the deck)

[3400-95Modified]

Other question I do have is when I remove the radio it's going to obviously lock on me, how do I go about unlocking it??? Do I need to go to a dealer? I'm not used to this fandangled security crap, my car has nothing on it... exactly why its very easily stolen, good think I live and work in the sticks I guess.

And that corvette radio place lists them as little bulbs, possibly leds but they are large enough to remove and replace, not like surface mount mini stuff. Thank GOD!

[pokesmot]

hehe.

but then again, if they were surface mount LED's you probably would never have this problem :P

if its a 1995 it shouldn't lock, unless you have the Delco Loc II audio system. in which case, dont disconnect it until you have the code.

if you do have a Delco Loc II, let me know and ill try and scan some info for you.

[3400-95Modified]

no this isnt for my car its for my moms 2002 GA, I drive a 1995 beretta... I'm an outsider, but like noted I have the heart from a 2000 GA... My lovely 3400.

My bad I never did say what year GA this was for.

[Tommy00GT1]

Oh boy... I never replaced bulbs here, and I am not sure if they are LED's or regular bulbs.....
Perhaps it might be worth it to see if there is an e-mail link on that corvette website.....maybe inquire as to what type bulb is in a 2002. (I have a 2000 GT1......) (not sure about a 2002)

The Theftlock thing can be a real bug-a-boo if you don't know the code that was used to secure/lock it. I hope your mom knows the code, as I think you need that particular to unlock the radio.
Again, a bit out of my knowledge as I've never had to deal with Theftlock here.

Wished I was more help, dammit.... Maybe somebody will reply here with the necessary info for you... Good luck with the radio....

Tommy