Radio works intermittently

DAVID REED2

MEMBER
2009 CHEVROLET HHR
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
119,000 MILES

When you turn the radio on some times you just get the twitters playing. When this happens, the seat belt warning bell does not work, the turn signal clicker and left on bell does not work. All you hear is the tinty twitter speakers. Other times when you turn it on everything works but the right speakers and not the left may play or maybe the rear and not the front speakers. It is crazy, what could be wrong with it?

3 Replies

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,573 POSTS

Sounds possessed.

Or more likely the connectors on the back of the unit have a bit of corrosion or moisture in them and are causing different issues depending on what bumps have moved them around. I would start by removing the head unit and cleaning the connector on the back.

If that has no effect then it may be the amplifier unit in the back. It is behind the rear panel. You have to remove the seat then the trim panel. The amplifier is mounted just behind the door opening below the speaker. Re-seat the connectors on it after spraying them with contact cleaner. If that does not help you will probably need to replace the amp itself.

This is the OEM unit original to this vehicle correct? I ask because swapping units from vehicle to vehicle can cause some nasty problems like this.

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