C6 Dead Nav Radio Unit
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: Byron Center MI
C6 Dead Nav Radio Unit
I am the proud original owner of a 2008 C6 and recently replaced the batteries in both key fobs. Shortly after the key fob update I replaced the OEM car battery with an Optima Yellow-Top. I'm not sure if there is any relationship with those events but now when I start the Vette the Nav-Radio head unit is dead with no display however, you can load / un-load CD's / DVD's. Both radio fuses have been pulled and re-installed and are confirmed good and the negative battery cable has been removed and re-installed resulting in no fix. Is it time to see the Dealer and pay the minimum ~$100 fee for a reset / restore 
or is there a quick fix I can do myself?
Your feedback is appreciated!
or is there a quick fix I can do myself? Your feedback is appreciated!
Last edited by 08C6Vert; Jul 28, 2014 at 01:24 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
Just for giggles, try putting car into 'accessory mode' 
________________
CD/DVD loading means B+ power is there.
Nothing on screen and no sound means the radio isn't turning on when car is started. in C6 the radio listens in on the serial data line and decides when to turn on/off based on status of other modules.
Are you getting door and warning chimes? Push seat memory buttons or 'lock' after opening a door to force chimes.
If chimes work that means serial data line is connected, amp is functioning, and radio is generating chimes, so I'd guess music portion of radio is kaput.
If no chimes, I'd pull dash apart and check connections behind radio, big 24 pin plug may just be loose.
________________
CD/DVD loading means B+ power is there.
Nothing on screen and no sound means the radio isn't turning on when car is started. in C6 the radio listens in on the serial data line and decides when to turn on/off based on status of other modules.
Are you getting door and warning chimes? Push seat memory buttons or 'lock' after opening a door to force chimes.
If chimes work that means serial data line is connected, amp is functioning, and radio is generating chimes, so I'd guess music portion of radio is kaput.
If no chimes, I'd pull dash apart and check connections behind radio, big 24 pin plug may just be loose.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: Byron Center MI
Just for giggles, try putting car into 'accessory mode'
________________
CD/DVD loading means B+ power is there.
Nothing on screen and no sound means the radio isn't turning on when car is started. in C6 the radio listens in on the serial data line and decides when to turn on/off based on status of other modules.
Are you getting door and warning chimes? Push seat memory buttons or 'lock' after opening a door to force chimes.
If chimes work that means serial data line is connected, amp is functioning, and radio is generating chimes, so I'd guess music portion of radio is kaput.
If no chimes, I'd pull dash apart and check connections behind radio, big 24 pin plug may just be loose.
________________
CD/DVD loading means B+ power is there.
Nothing on screen and no sound means the radio isn't turning on when car is started. in C6 the radio listens in on the serial data line and decides when to turn on/off based on status of other modules.
Are you getting door and warning chimes? Push seat memory buttons or 'lock' after opening a door to force chimes.
If chimes work that means serial data line is connected, amp is functioning, and radio is generating chimes, so I'd guess music portion of radio is kaput.
If no chimes, I'd pull dash apart and check connections behind radio, big 24 pin plug may just be loose.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: Byron Center MI
forced chimes failed. We will check the plug behind the radio as you suggest but fear no serial bus communication is taking place since Fob and Optima battery update. Maybe it thinks my C6 radio is stolen?
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
No chimes means either the serial data line isn't connected or maybe even that the radio is dead.
Check the big plug behind the radio to make sure it's seated properly, and I believe the serial data bus/terminal strip (other end of the cable) is up above the dead pedal somewhere (maybe you can trace the serial wire from the OBDII port to see where it goes, I believe it's in pin 2 )
If car thought radio was stolen the radio would still display something saying it was locked out.
Check the big plug behind the radio to make sure it's seated properly, and I believe the serial data bus/terminal strip (other end of the cable) is up above the dead pedal somewhere (maybe you can trace the serial wire from the OBDII port to see where it goes, I believe it's in pin 2 )
If car thought radio was stolen the radio would still display something saying it was locked out.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: Byron Center MI
C6 Dead Nav Radio Unit
After taking our C6 to the dealer we find the fix for a dead radio / dead chimes was the result of...
"Radio or any other component that runs software can lock up if certain power or ground conditions occur."
The fix...
"A total system reset was performed by disconnecting the battery and touching the + and - battery cables together for approximately 1 minute. Than reconnect the battery for normal system operations."
All is working normal now! Simple fix!
moderator: good tip to add to a sticky post?
"Radio or any other component that runs software can lock up if certain power or ground conditions occur."
The fix...
"A total system reset was performed by disconnecting the battery and touching the + and - battery cables together for approximately 1 minute. Than reconnect the battery for normal system operations."
All is working normal now! Simple fix! moderator: good tip to add to a sticky post?
