Radio Stopped Working in 2000 Honda Civic

UPDATE!!!

This morning, while I was driving, I turned on the radio and it came
right on!!! It was on an AM station. I drove for a little while,
then I decided to see if the FM also had reception. So I pressed the
buttom to switch to FM. AND ... just static. I switched back to
AM ... AND ... just static. But before I pressed the button, the AM
was just fine.

So now I'm thinking the radio actually is indeed working and it's some
kind of a connection problem. I pressed the AM/FM button a bunch of
times and jiggled the antenna -- just static.

But when I first started the car, the radio worked.

Hmmmmm ....

Linda

 

Still could go either way, radio or antenna.

 

I guess I need to find someplace to take it where I could get it
checked out without it costing more than the radio itself.

Linda

 

Your car takes what is called "double din". All stereos at Best Buy (in
fact almost all stereos ever, except ones of extreme over length) other than
ones specifically for GM and Chrysler (the aforementioned "din and a half")
will fit. Having a "double din" opening means the installation kit for a
"standard single DIN radio" will include a cover or pocket for the extra
space above or below the new radio. A "double din" stereo will not require
such a mounting kit.

Not being able to get even this most basic information out of Best Buy
should give you a good idea as to if they should be trusted or not... For
car stereo knowledge, this is pretty much 101 info.

If you actually go to a Best Buy (or pretty much any place that carries car
stereos) you will see these installation kits as well as wiring harnesses
(so you don't have to hack up the cars factory wiring). As mentioned
earlier, Crutchfield provides all that for no additional cost.

So, based on what I think you said earlier about wanting to retain having a
tape deck crutchfield has 4 that will fit. $50 to $269 (the $269 unit comes
with a CD changer to mount in the trunk or under a seat).

That same $50 stereo bought at most retail places you would also have to get
a wiring harness (about $8) and a mounting kit (about $15). Then pay for
installation. Using the instructions that Crutchfield provides (and you can
preview what they are like by looking at the installdr.com web site I listed
earlier) you see that basic tools are all that are needed to perform this
yourself (or a neighbor or friend who is mildly handy).

All this of course assuming it is the stereo and not the antenna. But again,
using basic tool knowledge and the installdr.com website you (or a friend)
can pull the radio yourself and make sure the antenna is secure.

 

Have you looked at the installdr.com website I mentioned earlier? You or a
friend can do this yourself. A shop will probably charge at least $50 labor
to do it for you.

 

Seth ...

II did see your recommendations -- and thanks!

I'll be honest and admit I'm nervous about trying something like this
myself -- and my friends are about as un-expert as I am. Do you
really think a complete and total novice could do this without messing
it up?

Linda

 

Pulling a radio out to swap it or inspect wiring really only requires basic
tool knowledge. If you're nervous about it, then don't do it. I'm not
looking to push anyone into something but just want to make sure it's not
dismissed due to not knowing what is involved.

With a #2 phillips and a flat blade screwdriver (possibly an 8mm socket),
one can have the radio out and in their lap in 10 minutes.
http://www.installdr.com/InstallDocs/Honda/PDF/466053.PDF is the specific
doc for your vehicle.

 

Yes, that's very likely. And that's why it's necessary to do proper
diagnostics on the unit. Any bad connection could be inside the radio
itself, in the wiring to the radio, or in the antenna cabling.

Unfortunately, there's no "magic bullet" fix here. You're going to need to
invest some time or some money, possibly both. There's a reason why
technicians are paid what they're paid.

If you're really short on cash, you could do your own experimentation: The
next time the radio decides to behave, leave its buttons alone and see if
it behaves itself the whole time. If it does, try thumping the radio face
or the surrounding dash with your hand (not pressing any buttons) and see
if that upsets the reception; open and close the doors and trunk a few
times; shut off and restart the car. And so on.

The idea here is to try and determine if there is any sort of discernible
pattern to the failures. Not only will you educate yourself, but you will
also accumulate very valuable information that may greatly reduce the
invoice amount should you entrust this repair to a pro. Plus he'll be
impressed with your diligence, which may buy you an above-and-beyond type
of job. Those guys are smart. Many of them like smart customers.

 

Thanks, Tegger.

The radio is working again today, so I'm going to take your advice and
see what I can determine on my own.

When I started the car, I turned on the radio and it came on. When I
got to my destination, I did not turn off the radio when I turned off
the car. (Usually, I would also turn the radio off by the on/off
button). Less than 30 minutes later, I returned to the car, and when
I started it, the radio came on. I did not risk pushing the AM/FM
button or any other buttons. After about 30 minutes of driving and
one other stop, the radio was still coming on when I started the car.

I'll try your suggestions in terms of thumping, opening and closing
things, et cetera. And then, as you said, I'll have all that
information to share with the pro.

In the meantime, do you think it's okay to let the radio be on as long
as it stays on? I mean, is there any chance I'm causing any damage to
the car, do you think?

Thanks so much -- to you and everyone -- for all this advice. It is
SO helpful.

Linda

 

No problem at all leaving the radio on all the time. No damage will result.
If you want quiet, just turn the volume down all the way rather than turn
the radio off.

It's starting to sound like your problem may be in the power supply or the
power switch. Now that we know you were turning it off each time you turned
off the car, you've probably just worn out the power button.

You're welcome.

 

Well, the radio worked again when I was out tonight.

I have noticed that it's still static-y -- background static -- while
I am listening to it. More so near power lines, I think. And I
haven't tried pressing the FM button yet.

As long as I'm not doing any damage to the car by playing the radio
even with these potential issues -- power supply or connection, et
cetera -- I'll just see how it goes this week. If it goes out again,
I'll have all this information to present to wherever I take the car
to have it checked out.

Thanks again!

Linda

 

That is definitely antenna.

What happens when you touch the antenna while the radio is playing? (I
forget--can you do that on that particular car?)

 

Yes, I do have an antenna. I think it gets a little more static-y.
I'll check it when I'm out later and let you know.

Linda

 

P.S. When I was trying to get it to work -- which now, it still is,
with a little static, although I have left it on one station and not
tried pushing any of the buttons -- I jiggled the antenna and it
didn't make a difference. But I'll see what happens when I just touch
it.

Linda

 

Hi Linda:

Here is a link with some photos/diagrams on the 00 Civic radio antenna
installation. Hope this helps.

http://www.clubcivic.com/board/showthread.php?t=141676

As for shopping for a new radio (if needed) you can go to www.crutchfield.com,
then go to "outfit my car". punch in the car information, and it will
bring up the available radio-cassette systems and CD-radio systems
that will fit your Civic. You can buy from them, or lookup the model
numbers in BestBuy or ABC warehouse, and you may find the same models
available from them as well. Price is pretty much the same from
Crutchfield or the Big-Box stores.

Good luck!

 

I think this thread has pretty much run its course.