Car Stereo Has Power But No Display – 7 Causes & How To Fix?
The radio screen is one of the best features of a car stereo system. It brings your vehicle a modern look and helps you control the audio more flexibly. After a long usage period, your automobile stereo system may take damage from the vibration and shock when driving. The display on the main unit is more prone to technical issues and may not function when you turn on the stereo. This post will discuss “car stereo has power but no display” and give you detailed explanations. You can understand and solve this issue easily based on the information provided.
7 Reasons Why Car Stereo Display Does Not Turn On
In order to fix your car stereo display, you first have to identify the cause of the technical problem. Here are seven common reasons that lead to the malfunction of your screen.
Unadjusted Brightness
You can adjust the brightness of the stereo display on most automobile models.
This feature helps drivers modify the dimmer to increase the screen’s visibility in different weather and illuminating conditions.
For example, if the weather is sunny and there is a lot of ambient light, the images on your display may get blurred or become harder to see. If it is dark, the drivers can lower the dimmer on display to increase their driving visibility.
Many new beginners may not be aware of this feature or forget to modify the display brightness. As a result, the ambient light can make your radio screen look dark and hard to see while the stereo is still working.
Faulty Backlight
If you have checked carefully and see that the stereo display is completely dark, the backlight panel may have broken down. Old car models use a LED lamp or backlight to illuminate the display and make it visible to our eyes.
Your radio backlight may stop working because of the weak energy supply or external damage in the driving process. Try removing the display to check if this component still operates well.
Connector Issues
Your main unit is connected to your car battery via a power cable. The radio and display are also paired with connecting wires plugged into the inputs of the devices.
If the wires are damaged, the power supply may leak out, or you don’t know the amps to draw the stereo, and your display doesn’t have sufficient electricity to operate. However, identifying the problem with wires is more difficult than you think.
All the components are connected with multiple built-in cables mounted in the car’s frame. It could be between your screen and the main unit or the speakers.
Electricity leaking out from loose wires is very dangerous. You should disconnect the ground power cable before inspecting the wires in the stereo system.
Defective Fuse
The fuse helps protect the electrical devices on your car from overvoltage, including the radio screen. When the fuse handles too many short-circuiting, it will wear down and blow up.
Besides the energy surges, an item that draws too much power or defective ground power cables on your car can cause the fuse to blow up.
A defective fuse will cause overheating and hinder the energy flow on your automobile. When this device is broken, your radio display may take high voltage and surge of electricity that causes it to break down.
There is a fuse box that contains many small electrical fuses and plastic boxes. If you smell the plastic burn, your fuse box may have a problem.
Defective Main Unit
A car’s main unit includes the display, buttons that help drivers control the system, and entertainment functions. This part is mounted in your automobile, and it is very hard to replace.
It is impossible to remove and clean the inner parts of your main unit, which is placed inside the center dashboard of your car. In old car models, the dust can build up inside the main unit and cause it to break down.
If your stereo still works, but the screen doesn’t turn on, some inner electrical components or connecting wires behind your screen may have a problem.
An easy sign of recognizing the main unit’s damage is the radio turns on and off occasionally when you are driving.
Defective LCD
The LCD panels project the information and make your radio screen visible, which functions in the same way as the back panel of your phone works.
The LCD panel can easily be damaged by shock and strong vibrations.
Pressing your fingernails or screwdrivers can also ruin the connecting wires between your panel and the main unit.
Car owners may have spilled liquid from drinks or wet clothes into the LCD and damaged the circuitry inside.
Damaged Display Panel
Many users put too strong pressure when cleaning the dust on the dirty panel. Some habits such as smoking when driving can also burn your radio screen panel.
Some small objects could have gotten in between your display panel and the main unit during the maintenance process.
What To Do If Your Car Stereo Has Power But No Display?
After identifying the cause of the problem, you can try applying these solutions to fix the radio screen.
Check The Display’s Brightness
Modern car models have high-end displays that can switch auto between day and night mode to give you the best visibility. This feature is unavailable on older models, and you have to adjust the screen brightness manually. In addition, the screen brightness is also a part that makes the radio become hot.
Cover all the windows or park your automobile in the garage to avoid ambient light and check if the radio screen is visible. If it is too dark, open the screen settings and increase the brightness.
A brighter display will help you see better in sunny weather with a lot of ambient light. If your car supports day/night display mode, turn it on in the display settings.
Inspect The Fuses
Read the owner’s manual and locate the position of the fuse box on your car. Open the cover and test the ports of the small fuses; if there isn’t any light, the fuses have broken down.
Inspect The Car Radio Connectors
Remember to disconnect the ground power cable to ensure your safety when inspecting the radio connectors. Now open the head unit in the console by removing the attaching clips with a screwdriver.
Check the wires between your radio and screen unit, which are usually red. If any wire is loose or scratched, you need to stabilize or replace it.
Then, put all the wires back into their original place gently and slide the radio back into the console.
Check If There’s A Faulty In The LCD, Backlight, And Main Unit
You have to remove the stereo from the console to check if the backlight and LCD still function. If the LCD panel and backlight don’t work, take your car to automobile fixing stores and have them replaced.
Apart from external damages such as water, burn, or scratches, your main unit’s wiring harness may be defective. You should hire a professional to inspect the connecting cables.
Inspect the Dimmer Setting
Open the settings on your radio or check the buttons to see if you can adjust the dimmer. You can manually switch the dimmer on or off according to your car’s headlight.
A dimmer function also allows you to switch between day and night mode.
Restart The Car Radio
Different car models have their unique ways of resetting the car radio. You should check the owner’s manual and follow the instructions carefully.
Some modern automobile radios require a four-digit code to reset the audio system. You can find the code on a specific card provided when buying the vehicle.
If you want further instructions, consider watching the video below.
Conclusion
It is annoying when your car radio display doesn’t turn on. We hope that you can inspect the components and fix your automobile screen easily based on the information provided. Thank you for reading!
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