FM signal no longer amplified?

[brmurph]

This is on my 98 Concours, everything works just fine (CD, AM, etc) except for FM radio (and maybe the weather channel as well).  If I turn the volume up all they way I can hear the signal (barely).   One thing to note is that I recently tried the "storage mode" via the DIC (probably the first time its ever been turned on), when I turned off the storage mode very strange things happened temporarily.  I don't really remember what all happened but seems to me the dash went a little crazy and the radio quit working, luckly things started working again until about a week later when the FM quit working correctly.  I have since tried the storage mode and no issues (except FM signal still doesn't work correctly).    I have disconnected the battery a few times and touched the terminals together but so far no help there.   I do have another head unit but as we know It needs the VIN programed and as of now i have no way to do that.  

any thoughts?  Thanks in advanced.    

[rockfangd]

I am not sure which head unit you have. There were honestly too many options. 

I speak from experience when I say these although look identical are not all interchangeable. I have a thread from when I installed these in my 97s. It involved alot of time and research. There are literally 10 or so part numbers for this unit. 2 or 3 of the numbers will work. The rest will not. 

I remember you do have the Non Bose version of this radio

I will post a pic of a 98 one I have in my 97s.

I had the dealer program one of mine. I did the other myself with a Scantool. It just clears the vin and when you recycle the key it learns yours

You can rewrite the vin on it easily. A trip to the dealer should be very easy. Just  tell them you had a spare. If they ask for a receipt ask them how old the car is🙄

I use the storage mode for the winter and have had no issues. Did the battery happen to go dead while in Storage mode?

I wonder if you have a bad connection somewhere. You mention you hear channels but like they are off in the distance? 

Go to this thread for more info on my swap if interested. Type Cadillac Radio Numbers in the search box. You have responded to it too😉

[brmurph]

Pretty sure the head unit is 09354796, at least that is the extra head unit I bought to replace it so I hope so (probably based on that thread you had me search).  My dealer who I have been going to since 2002 has become way too expensive for me, they charge a minimum of $180.00 just to hook up a scan tool (regardless if they fix anything or not).   I am looking at a scan tool that will do what the tech 2 will do but as of yet have not pulled the trigger on anything.  Which Scantool did you use to program yours?  To be honest I am not sure if the battery went dead or not while in storage mode, it was only in that mode for a few days but it took hours to charge the battery after that (kind of surprised me), I think it was just low and not dead but not 100% sure.    Yes the signal is so low you can hardly make out what they are saying or what song is playing, if I was actually going down the road you probably couldn't hear it at all.     Aside from a connection issue (which it could be) would you agree it either has to be the head unit or the amplifier?  Is there anything else that could be a possibility?   Glad to hear storage mode does work for some :-)..

Thanks!

[rockfangd]

I lean toward the head unit.

I say that because the audio is fine on other modes. The tuner unit is part of the head unit. I had a few of these apart, they remind me of a computer tower. All components are mounted inside of the case (tuner, cassette player, cd, antenna amplifier, etc...)

I believe that part number should work for you. Superseded number from mine. 

I used my Matco Scantool. I am sure Snap On ones, probably Genesis, and others should work. Not sure which basic ones will work

[winterset]

back in the early 2000’s, i drove my radio to a Delco/Delphi repair center where i gave them the head unit, and they cleared the vin out of it.  the center was in Northern New Jersey.

I found this site:

https://www.specmo.com/services/repair-and-refurbishing-services

I never used them, but this is the place you want to send your radio to so they unlock recycled head units. 

if you buy your shipping label, and return label on paypal, it is a lot cheaper.

[brmurph]

rockfangd you were right, it was the head unit.  I removed radio pn 16266916 and installed pn 09354796.  I bought 09354796 on ebay back when you did the write up thread mentioned above (supposedly a rebuilt unit, it looks brand new).  The interesting thing is I have been waiting all this time to replace it because I thought I needed a tech 2 to program the VIN but turned out that was not needed as the unit came unlocked (didn't know that was possible until your post above, live and learn).   Here is a quote from your original thread "the number for the 98 Concours should be 16266916, 09354796 either number will work. The later is the newest number for the unit."   again you were apparently right.  

The reason I bought this head unit originally was because the tape deck quit working, once FM quit working I had to replace it.  I know I am probably the only one that still listens to cassettes but anyone else have tapes they recorded from early 80's that still work and sound like new (and I live in Texas and keep the tapes in the car all summer :-)?   Can't beat those old Maxell ud xl 2 90 minute tapes.

Thanks guys for all the help!  

[rockfangd]

Excellent to hear.

Glad to see someone got use out of that thread. That project gave me a headache because it seemed to have never been discussed.

I am very persistent though, as you can see.

I still have my tapes lol. 

[brmurph]

Rockfangd any idea how long you can safely go without killing the battery when in storage mode?   Without storage mode I can only go about 3-4 weeks before the battery is completely dead.   I am trying to decide if I should risk trying storage mode again :-).  

[rockfangd]

It can last 2 months, but longer in the warmer months. In the winter I always leave a trickle tender when not in use. I have been storing for years and have had the best luck.

I use storage mode when it is down but I don't feel like plugging it in. Having had several of these I have yet to have a problem with Storage mode. I do suggest making sure your battery and its connections are good and tight. A intermittent loss causes all kinds of gremlins

[winterset]

I used to use storage mode for two months, but found it best to get a $30 “battery tender”.  my car has been parked in the garage at home since November, and when I leave my Winter home and venture back to New Jersey in April, the car will start right up.  deep cycling a conventional lead acid battery will kill it.  I learned, and it is why I have an Optima battery in there too.

Battery tender = money saver 

[rockfangd]

I do the same. I have several. I keep my tractors, cars, Bike, all on trickle tenders. My main tractor is stored outside. I plug it in when I am done. It fires right up