Stereo Radio Issue

[cymeyer]

For about a year, have had trouble with our stereo (Sony CDXM10 Marine CD Receiver).

Sometimes it works, but rarely it doesn't. When it does work, it turns off after about 10 minutes.

When I turn on the stereo breaker, the pilot light on the breaker goes on, but the radio won't power up. Tried a different radio and got the same problem.

When I turn the breaker off, the red pilot light on the breaker dims, but does not go out completely.

Sounds like it is not the radio but maybe the breaker itself? I have checked the fuses.

Any ideas?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

check the voltage which may be intermittent due to corrosion, bad breaker, etc...

 

[cymeyer]

Thanks for your quick reply.
I struggle with DC issues...
I do have a voltage tester, but not sure where to test it...
There are so many wires going into the radio. I will check and see if one is marked power.
Does that also mean that the breaker may be bad?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Breakers can be defective but that too will be obvious once you check for proper voltage. The power to the radio will be the two largest diameter wires; the rest are usually speaker wires. Pull the power leads off the back of the radio for access and testing while tripping the breaker. You should do the same at the breaker panel to ensure you have proper voltage feeding the breaker. If you are unsure how, the worst that could happen is a slight shock at 12 VDC. Just keep your distance from the 110VAc side of the panel.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I may have the same radio. I like it a lot. There's what appears to be a complicated wiring harness between it and the power source at the back of the radio. Given your description, there are only three wires you need to worry about: (+), (-) and the yellow memory wire. If your presets are OK or if you just don't bother with them, then just find the red and black wires and follow them to your electrical panel. Open the panel, find the wires and check the connections. IIRC, I found the wiring diagram on the internet, try a Google or go to Crutchfield and sort around, you might be able to find it. Many of the wires in the harness are for automobiles, like the antenna power, which you don't need. Also, the back of the radio has the harness wires labeled quite well.

 

[cymeyer]

Thanks, Don. I willl do that. Hope we get some warmer weather here in Michigan so I can go check...!

 

[cymeyer]

Thanks, Stu.
Great ideas.
Everything is easy when you know what you are doing...
I will take your ideas along with Don's and figure this out (when we get a warm spell here in Michigan).

I may have the same radio. I like it a lot. There's what appears to be a complicated wiring harness between it and the power source at the back of the radio. Given your description, there are only three wires you need to worry about: (+), (-) and the yellow memory wire. If your presets are OK or if you just don't bother with them, then just find the red and black wires and follow them to your electrical panel. Open the panel, find the wires and check the connections. IIRC, I found the wiring diagram on the internet, try a Google or go to Crutchfield and sort around, you might be able to find it. Many of the wires in the harness are for automobiles, like the antenna power, which you don't need. Also, the back of the radio has the harness wires labeled quite well.

 

[Stu Jackson]

While you're waiting... Google "How to use a multimeter" or DVM (digital voltmeter). They're pretty easy once you figure out the + and - DC wiring.

 

[cymeyer]

Stu, I found some good articles. Good idea!