I was wondering if someone had a piece of advice that they could give me. I have a 2004 Dodge Durango Limited SUV and about 4-5 months ago my battery died. I had 2 people try to jump start the truck. When the first person that tried, the truck wouldn't start. However, when the second person tried to jump the truck off, he accidentally crossed the wires, and when my wife tried to start it, the battery sparked. After we got the truck started and let it run for a bit, I brought the truck to Autozone and exchanged the battery. Since then, my radio hasn't been working. It will turn on fine and will switch to the CD player as well. But when you turn it on, it makes a sound that seems like it is stuck in the CD mode. I have checked the fuses for the power to the radio and to the amp. The fuse that powers the amplifier was blown, but I was able to put a new one in after removing the negative terminal to the battery. I tried to put one in without doing that and a surge from the battery blew the fuse. I also have a DVD player that came installed in the truck as well. When you push the mode button to switch to the DVD player, it will not switch over. So I am wondering if I didn't fry the DVD player as well. Yesterday, I talked to my father and he suggested to have the alternator checked just to make sure that when the old battery sparked it didn't ruin the charging mechanism. I did and it checked out fine. Am I right to assume that the amplifier is shot?

 

The fuse may have blown.
FF

 

I replaced the fuse multiple times. My father had me take the negative terminal off and insert a new fuse that way because he thought there may be a surge that was causing the fuses to blow. I tried that and it worked. The last fuse that I put in didnt blow. But there is still no sound from the radio.

 

I've replaced 2 amplifiers in mine over the 2 years i've owned it. you can get them quite cheap at the wreckers. they don't even seem to know they are there. both times stereo seemed to work only thing was no sound. replacement is simple, just get another one and plug it in. its located in the front inside the passenger kick panel.

rr

 

Thank you Roy, for the advice. Do you know if that IS the cause of my problem? Plus the CD player makes a little sound as if it is trying to spin a CD when you first turn on the radio. Again, thank you.

 

Do I know that that is the problem? Nope I don't for sure. All I can tell you is what my problem has been. The radio seemed to go from station to station. The cd player would tell me what it was playing, seemed to be able to go from song to song, the info/msg stuff would show up, tell me what song it was playing, how much time was left etc. THE only thing that seemed to be wrong was that there was no sound coming out of the speakers. I assume that the dealer would be able to check and tell you exactly what is wrong, they'll probably charge you for that service.

Removing the amp is simple, it should take maybe all of 10 minutes there is only 1 bolt.

As far as I could tell, there is no fuse to the amp and no fuse inside the amp, I opened 1 up, couldnt tell what was wrong with it.

rr

 

Awesome. Just 1 last question. after you replaced the amps, did the sound come back full swing? You are giving me a lot of hope that its the amp and not the speakers. I appreciate the advice you have shared with me. I am horrible with vehicles and all. Hence why I am not a mechanic, lol. Im an engineering. I can take things apart, i just have a hard time putting them back together. lol.

 

Also, do you by chance have a DVD player in your truck? I have a built in DVD that is on the roof. However, when I push the "Mode" button to switch to the dvd player, the button wont work. Only when it is going from radio to CD player. Im sure that is a different issue.

 

yep, as soon as i plugged in the new amp sound came out of the speakers. again, its a real easy fix if that is what is wrong. open the the kick panel on the passenger side, right of where the passenger legs would be, you'll see the amp its a big silver box, 1 bolt, 2 plastic push things and a plug or two on the back. i paid 40 bucks at a wrecker for 2 used ones.

and no i dont have a dvd player in the truck just the 6disk cd changer unit.

good luck

rr

 

Roy,
I appreciate your help very much. I explained the situation to a friend where I work and he said that he has an amplifier. And also said he would check the 6 disc CD player because I think there may be a short in that as well. It doesnt seem to be switching back from the CD player. My wife said that it happened before and she got it to work before. Also might have taken care of the DVD player issue. Needs to be a DVD in order for it to switch over. (DUH) lol.