My car radio completely shut off randomly. What can this be attributed to/how much would it cost to get fixed?

Question

OK, so I have a 2004 Toyota Matrix and yesterday I made a left turn on a street and the radio just completely shut off. I was wondering if there was a way to fix this and exactly why it turned off in the first place. Also, if I do have to replace it, how much would it cost (considering I have to buy the radio, get it installed, etc.)? Do you all have any recommendations as to where I should get it fixed? Is it even possible to replace the radio on my Matrix? Or would I have to go to a Toyota dealer?

Your advice would help out greatly! Sorry for the deluge of questions!

Answer 1

Check your fuses first. If it's not that you may need to get it repaired.

Answer 2

Start with checking the fuse for the radio at the fuse box.

Answer 3

Hi there t0xicme! I wish we could all be psychic and tell you exactly as to why it did what it did but I can try to give you a few things to check for yourself before you start spending unnessasary $$$.

Just like the other guys mentioned, Check your fuses. Most of the time, its located under the driver's side dash. Once you find it, look on the back of the fuse box cover. It may have all the names of each fuses and tells you where exactly it is (Look for Radio). Pull it out with a pair of tweezers and see if its blown. If it is blown, check for extra fuses that may be inside the fuse box. Make sure its the same amp fuse. Some car manufacturers gives extra fuses, some do not. If not, your local auto parts store would have it.

If after you've replaced the fuse and still no luck, or if the fuse was never blown in the first place, or you could'nt find the fuse box under your dash, then pop the hood and see if you could find a fuse box there. If you did, again check the cover and do the same steps. If there's no writing on the back of the cover, Check your manual.

Still no luck? Well, if you have an aftermarket radio, there's a fuse on the back of that radio. Check and if blown, replace with same amp fuse. If you still have OEM radio, sometimes a simple sniff test would tell you if your OEM radio is smoked. If you do not recognize this smell, have someone who may now a thing or two about electronics. I'm sure they'll tell you if it is or it isn't. If there's no electronic burn smell and still no power, sorry buddy but you may have to take that money out you've been saving for your first date : )

A few things you'd expect paying for when changing your factory radio:

-Dash kit - $15 - $25 (Single or Double-Din, depends on the size of the radio you're goin to buy)

-Harness - $10- $17 (it helps to plug in your new radio into your factory plug)

-Labor - $40- $60 (depending where you get it installed, most 12volt store also warranty there work, ASK!)

-Your New Radio - $ ALL UP TO YOU $

Personal note:

I buy my car audio stuff here just because it saves me $ I don't really have, and they're fairly low on prices and fast shipping:

http://stores.ebay.com/99cartunes

Hope this helps...

Cheers!

MelonHead