# Fickle radio

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/fickle-radio/25259>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** electrical-wiring\
**Created:** [January 20, 2009, 8:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fickle-radio/25259 "2009-01-20T20:52:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rdd333](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dfb087/32.png) [@rdd333](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rdd333)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 8:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fickle-radio/25259/1 "2009-01-20T20:52:41Z")

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Hi!  
  
 I think I have some electrical issue. About a week ago my radio started shutting off and on but itself while I was driving. When I parked and tried to turn on my dome light, the radio turned off completely. The dome light didn’t come on. I have an aftermarket radio/cd player that has been in the car for about a year and a half.  
  
 my car is a 91 Chevy S-10 Blazer, with only 81,000 original miles. I have had no real problems with it.  
  
 Is there something I can do to diagnose the issue and avoid a costly visit to a mechanic just to find out the problem?

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**Author:** ![Triedaq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Triedaq](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triedaq)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 9:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fickle-radio/25259/2 "2009-01-20T21:13:35Z")

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I wonder if the radio was connected to the same circuit as the dome light. I suppose the chassis ground for the radio may not be making a good connection and the radio is seeking a ground through the domelight. I would begin by checking the fuses. I would also look at the power connections for the radio to see what the after-market installer may have done.

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**Author:** ![rdd333](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dfb087/32.png) [@rdd333](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rdd333)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fickle-radio/25259/3 "2009-01-20T21:18:17Z")

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I left out one piece of vital info…the radio no longer turns on at all. it has been working fine for over a year till now.  
thnx.

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**Author:** ![Triedaq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Triedaq](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triedaq)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 9:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fickle-radio/25259/4 "2009-01-20T21:22:00Z")

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This would suggest that the radio either isn’t getting power, or the chassis ground is defective. A simple test light with one side connected to a known chassis ground should let you, or a shop, know almost immediately whether the radio is receiving power.