Dodge Ram radio problems
Asked by ChuckBly74 Apr 29, 2019 at 08:20 PM about the 2012 RAM 1500 ST Quad Cab
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Unlike some of the problems I have read about Dodge Ram radio problems,
mine just doesn't work at all on Am or Fm. No pops, no static, no nothing. CD
works fine Sirius works fine. Checked the antenna. Still nothing.
5 Answers
I have the same problem in my 2016 Ram. It just happened on Saturday. WTHeck
865designs answered 5 years ago
I have the same problem. The XM works and CD. The problem with mine is the back were the antana plugs in. Seems there is a short in there somewhere. I was able to take mine out and check. Once I seen the problem I will probably install a aftermarket. However once put back in it is now working, for how long who knows. Hope this helps.
Same problem with 2011 Dodge Ram 1500. Found a video on how to remove the radio. Pretty easy. In the back of the radio I found the connection for the antenna to be fussy.. if I backed it out just slightly I got the radio back and then carefully put it back together. Now it shakes loose over bumps. I will likely tighten the connection with electrical tape to keep it limping along.
its not the antenna or you would get no stereo lock or station seek to another station. The problem is with the radio chip on the mainboard. Its the square chip right behind the antenna jack. One of the solder joints will crack and the temp fix seems to be wiring up your antenna cable to "support" it. All this does is flex the main board enough to bridge the cracked solder joint. No permanent fix. you have to pull the radio, unclip the front face and pull off, remove the 4 CD T10 screws and pull the CD drive out, remove the plug off the board. Now you can get a solder iron down onto the chip and just hit each of the 48 small solder joints. IIRC mine was open on the right side toward the face, you could see a few that were not shiny silver but dull copper looking. Just poor soldering from radio manufacturer. I reflowed mine with a heat gun, low setting right down on the chip until you see the solder start to shine. Worked great.
GuruDTZTF3 answered 6 months ago
I also watched the video about reheating the radio chip to reflow the solder. After reinstalling, the radio worked again for a few minutes, then went off again. I reached behind the radio and jiggled the antenna connection, which caused the radio to come on and off, so my issue is with the antenna connector on the back of radio.
