C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Radio has no lighting

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 25, 2020 | 12:28 PM
  #1  
xYOURMAMAx's Avatar
xYOURMAMAx
Thread Starter
5th Gear
 
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Default Radio has no lighting

I recently replaced all the lights in my radio with blue LEDs. When I plugged the radio in the first time it worked great, all lights come on with no problem. I took the radio back out to adjust one of the LEDs. Now I have no lighting on the radio. All buttons/functions work and all other electronics in the car have lighting. I took the radio out again and put 12v to the lights. They light up when I put power to the PCB but not when in the car?
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2020 | 02:44 PM
  #2  
jcgunn's Avatar
jcgunn
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Veteran: Air Force
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 411
From: Horseshoe Bend ID
Default

Double check the polarity on the LEDs. Are they all working with bench power?
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2020 | 03:08 PM
  #3  
xYOURMAMAx's Avatar
xYOURMAMAx
Thread Starter
5th Gear
 
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Default

Yes they are all working with bench power, they also worked inside the car when I first plugged in the radio, now they aren't. Polarity is correct across all of them.
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2020 | 04:02 PM
  #4  
jcgunn's Avatar
jcgunn
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Veteran: Air Force
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 411
From: Horseshoe Bend ID
Default

The only thing I can think of is that maybe the current draw is too low to activate the circuit. Maybe try replacing a couple of the LEDs with the OEM bulbs and see what happens...
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2020 | 04:46 PM
  #5  
xYOURMAMAx's Avatar
xYOURMAMAx
Thread Starter
5th Gear
 
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Default

Same results
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2020 | 07:54 PM
  #6  
jcgunn's Avatar
jcgunn
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Veteran: Air Force
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 411
From: Horseshoe Bend ID
Default

So my last suggestion is to inspect the PCBs for cold solder joints (as in the dim HVAC display fix)
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2020 | 09:47 PM
  #7  
Ed Ramberger's Avatar
Ed Ramberger
Drifting
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 490
From: Denver, NC
Default

First the obvious - do not be insulted. Is the dimmer **** turned full bright - check that the LEDs aren't functioning because the dimmer is too low for them. Had to ask.

If so, have you checked that the harness and the pin on the radio did not get pushed out or damaged?
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2020 | 11:28 PM
  #8  
xYOURMAMAx's Avatar
xYOURMAMAx
Thread Starter
5th Gear
 
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Default

No insult taken, I know that the simple things often get over looked. However even with the dimmer **** on the highest turn I still get nothing. The harness and the pins are all okay.

I plugged the radio in with the faceplate off and noticed that I get a very very dim light across the LEDs only when the power button is pushed "On" and when I turn the volume **** to every-other notch. Seems I may have gotten a little extra solder and shorted 2 circuits? Will inspect it tomorrow.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Radio has no lighting

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:13 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 11:09:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE