I have a 99 dakota and the radio face went blank. The radio plays ok and changes stations but you can't read the clock, station, or any displays. Has any one else ran into this one? Could there be two fuses? One for the display and one for operation? Or two grounds?

 

There are actually 3 fused inputs but they don't do what you're thinking. One is on the unswitched side for the clock and memory, another for the display dimmer (bright when off), and the other is the radio power.

It's probably the a failure in the radio itself, maybe a bad solder joint. It's not that uncommon.

Try a boneyard if you want the factory look or Ebay.

 

Does anyone know if a factory radio from a 02 dakota fit in a 99 dakota?

 

No, it won't fit. The 1999 and 2002 radios are shaped completely different from each other and they have very different mounting bracketry. The molex power/speaker connectors are also very different from each other. If your OE radio is bad you would need to find another radio from the same years as the one you have now. Any OE Dodge radio should work, from 1997 thru 2000. Maybe do like Dan says and hit up a you-pull-it yard and take your old radio with you to match it up before buying.

You may come out ahead financially by just replacing the OE radio with a good quality aftermarket AM/FM/CD Ipod/USB controller deck. Nowadays you can buy a very good aftermarket unit for less than $100.00, and installing a new radio in a 1999 Dakota is super easy. If you order from Crutchfield they even include the installation parts for free, plus they provide detailed installation instructions and an outstanding technical support department you can call if you need help with the installation or you have problems with the radio later on. Crutchfield offers free technical support for as long as you own the new radio. (No, I don't work for Crutchfield, they just have great prices and customer support. I have bought a lot of car audio products from them they have always treated me right.) Crutchfield also usually has a $20.00 coupon code on www.retailmenot.com.

Jimmy