Radio Display Acting Strange

[Maine_TJ]

Hello! First post!! I have lots of questions, but have been finding answers on this forum. This one has my head scratching...

I purchased my 2003 Sport in great condition with 73k miles in the beginning of August. It has the stock radio and speakers. The ignition key cylinder had been acting up (key can be removed in any position, couldn't turn key to OFF easily) so I purchased a new cylinder and re-keyed it for my original key, and installed it. Just the cylinder, not the ignition switch itself. Works great.

After I did that, the Jeep sat for about a week while I worked (car pool, not my week to drive) so when I jumped in the Jeep this morning and started it, the stock radio wouldn't display anything. It would play music and I could change channels, all buttons worked, but no display. When I switch the ignition key to ACC (all the way back) the display lights up with the correct time and shows the radio station...works as it should. Rotate the key back to ON (or start the Jeep), display turns off and doesn't come back on all buttons work radio plays. The radio buttons and cassette and CD slots all light up when the headlights are on, but no display. I've tried adjusting the instrument panel brightness with no success. The display isn't dim, it's not on. Turn it back to ACC, display lights up and shows time and radio station.

I've checked radio fuses (radio and subwoofer fuse even though I don't have a sub), removed the radio and reconnected the plug in the back, removed the ignition cylinder and re-installed it, removed the negative battery cable for 20 minutes and re-installed. Nothing. Displays in ACC, not in the ON position.

The blinkers, windshield wipers, and radio all work in the ACC position.

I've read Jeep radios are finicky and prone to acting up. Do you think this is a coincidental radio issue that appeared the same time I replaced the cylinder, or are they related? I searched several forums but haven't been able to find the answer.

 

[DuckNut]

There has to be a micro switch on the ignition switch that triggers the light to turn on.

 

[joelachr]

How worn is your key? With the switch in On, will the display light up if you push the key deeper into the ignition?

 

[Maine_TJ]

How worn is your key? With the switch in On, will the display light up if you push the key deeper into the ignition?

I had new keys cut when I bought the Jeep. I just went out and put the new cut key in and

How worn is your key? With the switch in On, will the display light up if you push the key deeper into the ignition?

I had two new keys cut when I bought the Jeep. I just went out with a new cut key and tried it in the ignition. Still nothing in the ON position. I even smacked the key into the ignition, but it didn't do anything.

 

[Maine_TJ]

So, I put the old cylinder back into the Jeep today. Radio worked as designed. Not really sure what the difference in the cylinders are that the new one won't work. It's keyed correctly and rotates easily.

I'm wondering if the actuator pin is worn? Has anyone had any issues like this?

For now, I'll jeep the old cylinder in the jeep and will look at being able to pull the key out while the Jeep in running as a "Feature." hahaha

 

[WestCoastDan]

While I cannot speak definitively to the root cause of your issue, I can tell you that in our 2003 I had to replace the ignition switch AND cylinder to make everything work correctly again.

Like you, our original key would pull out of the cylinder in any position.
We only had 1 key & it was worn but not terribly.

I had bought a new key a few years ago as a proactive step, but never swapped it onto the key ring.
It just sat in a drawer waiting patiently.

About that same time, the radio began staying on w/ the key removed & the switch in the OFF position, so I replaced the IGN SWITCH and it fixed the radio issue.

Then we started to have issues w/ the IGN switch/cylinder position being finicky again last year. In February I finally got tired of it and took action.

I used this Dorman replacement cylinder, along with the unused new key to give us a fresh setup.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D8BKR5M/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Since this upgrade, we have been 100% trouble free.

 

[ChasUGC]

I'm thinking that it is either the ignition switch or the radio itself. Stock radios can go bad after 20 years. Electronic devices don't last forever especially when they constantly get surges when you start the vehicle. Electrical shorts can also happen over time and those can be most difficult to troubleshoot. Vehicle components just wear out over time like the ignition switch. I had to change the ignition switch on my 1997 Wrangler because of electrical issues. That occurred after about 20 years of usage. I would say to take it to a reputable stereo installer and have a new aftermarket stereo professionally installed. This way if you have issues they might be able to remedy it and you have a warranty. Or, you can take it to a good reputable auto electrical shop. If you want to hack at it, you will likely just make it worse. Good luck.

 

[Moglocker]

I'm thinking that it is either the ignition switch or the radio itself. Stock radios can go bad after 20 years. Electronic devices don't last forever especially when they constantly get surges when you start the vehicle. Electrical shorts can also happen over time and those can be most difficult to troubleshoot. Vehicle components just wear out over time like the ignition switch. I had to change the ignition switch on my 1997 Wrangler because of electrical issues. That occurred after about 20 years of usage. I would say to take it to a reputable stereo installer and have a new aftermarket stereo professionally installed. This way if you have issues they might be able to remedy it and you have a warranty. Or, you can take it to a good reputable auto electrical shop. If you want to hack at it, you will likely just make it worse. Good luck.

Install the new cylinder back in and a new ignition switch.

 

[Maine_TJ]

Well, here's an update to my possessed radio. I drove it all week with the old cylinder which had the radio working like it should. Today, I got a new actuator and ignition switch. I put the new parts in the jeep with the new cylinder. The radio stopped displaying in the ON position. Still worked, buttons light up, but no display. If I rotate the cylinder to the ACC mode, everything works as it should.

I changed the cylinder back to the old one and it didn't change anything. Sill no display in the ON position, but works as it should in the ACC position. I bumped the key just to make sure that wasn't it.

I'm at a loss. I'm going to see if I can find a different stock radio to see if maybe the radio is acting up. I can't imagine it's the ignition system, it was all replaced.

 

[dbbd1]

With all of this back and forth, make sure that the pins and wires are fully seated and not backing out of the back of the connector.