Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

No Power to Radio

readc87

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Jun 25, 2025
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Virginia
I've read some things on this, but there are a lot of different ideas and I want to make sure I have a smart plan of action to diagnose the issue. Its a 2001 sport 4.0 with 12k miles and is in great condition. The radio is only a tape deck. It was working fine the last couple weeks. I parked her for 5 days and then when i got back in and turned her on, the radio was not powering on. It has no power in ACC or with engine on. I have replaced all of the 10A fuses that seem to be part of the radio system. One thing i do notice is that when i turn the volume knob comletely off, and then click it back on to turn the radio on i can hear the speaker behind me in the roof softly pop. not sure that has anything to do with anything or not. Is my next solution to remove the dash and get access to the back of the radio and test the power to the unit? I guess i need to know if its a dead radio or if its a wiring issue. TIA
 
Does it crank? Start? Because, right now, it sounds like you gave a dead battery. What have you done to troubleshoot so far?
 
Does it crank? Start? Because, right now, it sounds like you gave a dead battery. What have you done to troubleshoot so far?

yes, the engine cranks. Voltage of the batteries is fine I drove all yesterday no issues. as I said, I replaced all of the fuses that are associated with the battery, Fuses 20, 10, and 15 (all 10A). I am just seeing if there is anything else I should check before I pull the radio out from the dash and check the voltage to the radio unit and the grounds.
 
Grounds?

-Mac

I haven't checked them. Is the main one to check the one that is at the back of the radio? Number 5?
Screenshot 2025-07-17 104744.png
 
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If I remove the radio I think, if im reading this correctly based on the below, I can check power to the radio and the ground by checking voltage of wire 6 of Radio C1 with key in ACC position and then I can check power to the radio and the ground by starting the engine and checking wire 7 of Radio C1. Is that correct? If I am getting voltage here it means the radio unit is dead vs there being a bad connection somewhere.
Screenshot 2025-07-17 105813.png
Screenshot 2025-07-17 105656.png
 
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I'd actually pull the instrument cluster... it's only a few screws...the radio ground ends up in the lower passenger corner of the cluster...more of a ground strap than a cable.

-Mac
 
I'd actually pull the instrument cluster... it's only a few screws...the radio ground ends up in the lower passenger corner of the cluster...more of a ground strap than a cable.

-Mac

Okay! I actually just replaced the light switch knob so I was messing around in the steering column when i made that change. Maybe I knocked it loose?
 
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I'd actually pull the instrument cluster... it's only a few screws...the radio ground ends up in the lower passenger corner of the cluster...more of a ground strap than a cable.

-Mac
Mac- based on the below, I think the instrument cluster and the radio ground together at 201. Wouldn't that be on the drivers side? This looks like its pretty low in the schematic is it really behind the instrument cluster?

Screenshot 2025-07-17 134819.png
 
Driver's side yes.

Ground is in under the cluster in the bottom right corner...the passenger side corner of the instrument cluster.

-Mac
 
I replaced all of the fuses that are associated with the battery, Fuses 20, 10, and 15 (all 10A).

According to the 01 FSM there are 4 fuses supplying power to the audio system. Fuses 3 (20A) - radio, and 15 (10A) - subwoofer, both in the fuse box behind the glove box, and fuse 24 (IOD) in the under hood Power Distribution Center (PDC). Fuse 24 in the PDC gets power from PDC fuse 15 (50A) .

I don't know where you got your fuse numbers above from, but you should check the ones I've mentioned. Also check if wipers and turn signals work when the radio doesn't. Fuse 15 is fed from the same ignition contacts as fuses 13 and 14 behind the glove box. If they are all dead, the power from PDC fuse 14 (30A) isn't getting to the ignition switch.
 
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Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts