Wife's car radio quit working (1 Viewer)

[Sabertooth]

Can I fix this myself. Dealer wants $350 for just the radio. Then labor to install it. She's got a 2008 Malibu. I haven't swapped out a car radio since probably 1992. I can find the units online for like 125ish and I'm cheap.

 

[Apple Jack]

have you made sure its not a blown fuse? and it could be very easy or it could be a huge pita. totally depends on how accessible it is. either way, you should be able to get the radio on the internet or from a scrap yard somewhere if you don't want to pay for a new one. if need be, just find a car stereo place to install it rather than paying premium labor rates at the dealer.

 

[sbonomo]

Install kit, screwdriver and 20 minutes and you are done ....most place have free install if you buy an after market as well......

 

[Sabertooth]

Just the radio quit working, everything else is fine (CD, aux) Brought it into the dealer. They plugged it in and it pointed to an amplifier module. So they replaced the module, it worked for a few minute and then the stations went out again.

 

[eoMMan]

Yeah, I'd go to like best buy before the dealership for this (assuming you aren't planning on installing the factory radio).

 

[playin4beer]

If it's the factory amp that's bad, replacing the radio won't do anything.

Also, these are VIN coded theft locked radios... meaning it's not just "plug and play", they have to be programmed at the dealership..

Edit to add: The above is assuming you are staying with a factory radio and not an aftermarket

 

[culdeus]

ebay

odds are someone has stolen or salvaged one and will sell it to you on the cheap. that's how I replaced my wife's

 

[Sabertooth]

Yeah, I'd go to like best buy before the dealership for this (assuming you aren't planning on installing the factory radio).

Yeah I just need a radio. Don't need it to be factory. Just want it to function. Mainly for selling it down the road.

 

[Fat Nick]

ebay

odds are someone has stolen or salvaged one and will sell it to you on the cheap. that's how I replaced my wife's

I'd do this...but as playin4beer said, some newer cars have some pretty sophisticated electronics in them that tie them to a specific car unless you have the dealer reprogram them. Just another way they make $$. This kind of thing varies by manufacturer and year, as with most things.

 

[Sabertooth]

If it's the factory amp that's bad, replacing the radio won't do anything.

Also, these are VIN coded theft locked radios... meaning it's not just "plug and play", they have to be programmed at the dealership..

Edit to add: The above is assuming you are staying with a factory radio and not an aftermarket

They checked that factory AMP (replaced it actually), radio worked for a minute then static again. I'm not married to the factory radio.

 

[tonydead]

Crutchfield

Top of the line stereo for less than $200. You supply make and model of your vehicle and it will come with everything you need for install; detailed instructions with pictures, any pieces needed to fit in your dash, wire harness, everything. Fast shipping.

 

[culdeus]

ebay

odds are someone has stolen or salvaged one and will sell it to you on the cheap. that's how I replaced my wife's

I'd do this...but as playin4beer said, some newer cars have some pretty sophisticated electronics in them that tie them to a specific car unless you have the dealer reprogram them. Just another way they make $$. This kind of thing varies by manufacturer and year, as with most things.

Most of the install shops have ways to program the stereos. I got a volvo dealer to do mine for 50 bucks. This shouldn't be a reason to not go 3rd party to get a stereo. If you have to get a new OEM stereo you have to do this one way or the other, it doesn't mean you have to buy new OEM at the dealer for huge bucks.

 

[culdeus]

If it's the factory amp that's bad, replacing the radio won't do anything.

Also, these are VIN coded theft locked radios... meaning it's not just "plug and play", they have to be programmed at the dealership..

Edit to add: The above is assuming you are staying with a factory radio and not an aftermarket

They checked that factory AMP (replaced it actually), radio worked for a minute then static again. I'm not married to the factory radio.

Well if not married to factory you'll save money and likely get better features on a aftermarket. The styling on aftermarket can trend towards the 21 inch rim crowd, however.

 

[Joe Summer]

Aren't you that guy who is a giant tool in the Shark Pool? Don't come here for help.

 

[Guest]

A few youtube videos out there for 2008 Malibu radio replacement if you're interested in tackling the job yourself.

Does it make sense that it's an amp issue if the CD and AUX still work?

 

[mr roboto]

I remember installing a sweet Alpine removable face CD player with my 2 12 inch subs and monster power supply in my 1990 Camry.

 

[Sabertooth]

Aren't you that guy who is a giant tool in the Shark Pool? Don't come here for help.

Why am I a tool over there? Because I think Adrian Peterson is a ########? Lol. I was here when you were still wearing short pants.

 

[Sabertooth]

A few youtube videos out there for 2008 Malibu radio replacement if you're interested in tackling the job yourself.

Does it make sense that it's an amp issue if the CD and AUX still work?

That was my thought. But the dealer plugged it into the fancy computer thing and that's what it told them.

 

[Cjw_55106]

I remember installing a sweet Alpine removable face CD player with my 2 12 inch subs and monster power supply in my 1990 Camry.

Its funny how quickly that knowldge leaves someone. My brother used to be the guy vibrating house windows with his Too Short or Big Daddy Kane and the subs in the trunk with the speakerbox.

Fast foward 20 years and I ask him about an install and he doesnt know much.

 

[Sabertooth]

That's why youtube is so great. I've learned everything from how to replace broken ipad screens to installing ceramic tile by just watching videos.

 

[Cjw_55106]

That's why youtube is so great. I've learned everything from how to replace broken ipad screens to installing ceramic tile by just watching videos.

Agreed. I use it to teach my daughter to pitch for softball.

 

[Sabertooth]

Awesome.

 

[johnnycakes]

You have a 2008 car and the radio quit working already? Shoot. I have you beat by a mile. I inherited my mother's 1984 Ford Escort... I drive it around town as my commuting car since it has nice, big beefy steel bumpers... but the radio in that thing works just fine still. It even has FM.

 

[Bull Dozier]

I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that I'm the least handy person on this board. I replaced the radio in my step daughters 97 Cavalier, and that required taking the entire dash board off. If I can do that, anyone can. There's no way the Malibu could be more complicated than that one was.

 

[sbonomo]

A few youtube videos out there for 2008 Malibu radio replacement if you're interested in tackling the job yourself.

Does it make sense that it's an amp issue if the CD and AUX still work?

That was my thought. But the dealer plugged it into the fancy computer thing and that's what it told them.

hmmm, i wonder if the stealership has any other motives here.....honestly, go to bestbuy or fry's and get a much better unit for half the price.

 

[Sabertooth]

I will. Going to stop at best buy and see what I can get.

The dealership went good though. No charge because they didn't fix anything.

 

[Fat Nick]

Crutchfield

Top of the line stereo for less than $200. You supply make and model of your vehicle and it will come with everything you need for install; detailed instructions with pictures, any pieces needed to fit in your dash, wire harness, everything. Fast shipping.

If you're going aftermarket and have some basic skills, agree 100%.

Crutchfield, while not the cheapest, is a top-notch company with great customer service.

 

[NutterButter]

if you have steering wheel controls, those might not have the necessary hookups on an non-oem radio. other than that, should be a piece of cake.

 

[Sabertooth]

Yeah it does have steering wheel controls.

 

[tonydead]

Crutchfield

Top of the line stereo for less than $200. You supply make and model of your vehicle and it will come with everything you need for install; detailed instructions with pictures, any pieces needed to fit in your dash, wire harness, everything. Fast shipping.

If you're going aftermarket and have some basic skills, agree 100%.

Crutchfield, while not the cheapest, is a top-notch company with great customer service.

Maybe not the cheapest, but, I have a hard time figuring out how much money I need to save on a $129 stereo that's guaranteed to come with all the parts and pieces needed for your make an model. One missed piece and the time I wasted just surpassed any savings.

And great point with customer service, just a phone call away for any question, like steering wheel controls.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Crutchfield

Top of the line stereo for less than $200. You supply make and model of your vehicle and it will come with everything you need for install; detailed instructions with pictures, any pieces needed to fit in your dash, wire harness, everything. Fast shipping.

If you're going aftermarket and have some basic skills, agree 100%.

Crutchfield, while not the cheapest, is a top-notch company with great customer service.

Maybe not the cheapest, but, I have a hard time figuring out how much money I need to save on a $129 stereo that's guaranteed to come with all the parts and pieces needed for your make an model. One missed piece and the time I wasted just surpassed any savings.

And great point with customer service, just a phone call away for any question, like steering wheel controls.

Crutchfield will also sell you just the items that you need to install the stereo.