snowman9000 Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 (edited) My 2012 has the most basic 4.3 audio system. The other day the radio just stopped playing. Mostly it makes no sound at all, but sometimes turning up the volume will give some static such as you'd hear between stations. It also won't hit any stations while scanning. It's as if the tuner has died. The SAT system works, though. Sound and everything. So that really seems to point to the radio tuner function only. After searching here, I disconnected the battery for a half hour. No change. It's out of warranty. Is there anything else for me to do or check before going to the dealer? Edited December 13, 2015 by snowman9000 dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhareFred Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 I agree totally with the antenna idea. Check to make sure its still on the roof ( drove around without mine for a week wondering why my FM didnt work), then check where it plugs into the radio in back, it could be loose...... dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowman9000 Posted December 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 I only see one antenna, on the back edge of the roof. 11journeybama and dhh3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhareFred Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 Its actually two. The flat part ,or base, houses the Sat antenna, the "rod" is your AM/FM. Make sure the rod is screwed in tightly to the base. dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowman9000 Posted December 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 Thanks, I will check. The fact that it normally won't even produce static when I turn up the volume makes me think it is going to be something else. dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhh3 Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 Also, check to make sure that the antenna cable is inserted tightly into the back of the radio. There should be a small square plug in the middle of the back of the radio. Make sure this is plugged in tightly. These short antennas are powered. A normal AM/FM antenna is 31" long. Thus, they have to power these short antenna to increase the reception. The small square plug in the middle is the power for the antenna. Your other option would be to pull down the headliner in the rear, to gain access; to make sure everything is plugged in as it should be. jkeaton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowman9000 Posted December 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 I pulled the radio out and checked the connections. All were fine. Given that it won't even produce static, I'm going to buy a replacement salvage radio from ebay. dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowman9000 Posted December 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 Ebay seller, a radio shop, advises me I will have to take the VIN of the donor radio to the dealership, and get a security code from them. Oh joy. I guess I'll call the dealer before I buy the radio, to see if they will do this. dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobitz68 Posted December 16, 2015 Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 Ebay seller, a radio shop, advises me I will have to take the VIN of the donor radio to the dealership, and get a security code from them. Oh joy. I guess I'll call the dealer before I buy the radio, to see if they will do this. They will do this. dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramfrank Posted December 16, 2015 Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 The security code requirement was only implemented on radios in the second half of 2012 - so whether you need one depends on the radio you buy . . . . but codes are easily gotten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhh3 Posted December 16, 2015 Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 (edited) contact oemautopartsco.com they specialize in Dealer take outs and refurbished radios. If a code is needed, they will give it to you. They bench test every radio and if there are scratches on the screen, they will replace it. Good people to deal with. I have purchased 3 radios from them. They do sell on ebay. Edited December 24, 2015 by dhh3 snowman9000 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowman9000 Posted December 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 I just got back from the dealer, trying to get the code for my own radio. Maybe it didn't have one, who knows. But I didn't have any code in my paperwork. It took them a long time and finally they got me a code. I asked about the salvage radio scenario, where I would give them the VIN of the salvage vehicle. They said it would not work. I suspect they just don't know. But still, it doesn't make me confident about buying a salvage radio. I will check with the seller mentioned above. My position is going to be, if the radio needs a code, I want the seller to provide it. Because the local dealer is not going to be any help on this. dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramfrank Posted December 17, 2015 Report Share Posted December 17, 2015 OK. It's official. Your dealer is clueless.You don't need the VIN of the donor vehicle, but that of the one you are installing the radio into - and the seller can't provide it unless he has access to the serial numbering system; What you DO need is the serial number of the new radio - the combination of the VIN for your vehicle and serial of the new radio is used to generate the unlock code IF the radio you buy requires it - if it comes from a vehicle made before about 2/3 the way through the 2012 model year you won't need it . . . and you'll find out when you go to install it - and you already KNOW how easy that is.By the way, remember that you'll also need to transfer your Sirius subscription to the new radio . . . . and verify that you are buying a radio with the Sirius module . . . there are LOTS of part numbers and it isn't always obvious. But the basic model you want is the REB. The catalog, or part number is another story.Here's one I found on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/14-DODGE-JOURNEY-AUDIO-EQUIPMENT-RECEIVER-4-3-TOUCH-SCREEN-AM-FM-CD-MP3-SIRIUS-/351418112218Check your PMs . . . . I sent you a message. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowman9000 Posted December 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2015 bramfrank, Got it, thanks! I bought this one on ebay. It has the exact same p/n as mine. It doesn't mention Sirius but looks like it has the antenna connection for it. I don't subscribe to it anyway, but it always is broadcasting the preview, which my radio was able to receive. http://www.ebay.com/itm/181872533095 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramfrank Posted December 17, 2015 Report Share Posted December 17, 2015 So it claims to be from a '12 - you may (or may not) need an unlock code. When it arrives just bolt it in and turn it on and see whether it asks or not.Test the CD player and USB too . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowman9000 Posted December 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2015 I'll report back when I get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowman9000 Posted December 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2015 Success!!! It did need an unlock code. bramfrank, per your advice I took MY vin and the new radio S/N to the dealership, and they got me the code. And it works. Till this radio dies too?... I guess I shouldn't think that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramfrank Posted December 24, 2015 Report Share Posted December 24, 2015 (edited) Well, your vehicle is 4 years old. That's $30 a year for the radio based on the amount of time you got out of the first one - maybe you should open the old one up and see if maybe there's a board that's become dislodged, some corrosion or whatever . . . . who knows? You might have a spare!! You aren't going to hurt it, since as far as you are concerned it's just a paperweight at this point. Edited December 24, 2015 by bramfrank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowman9000 Posted December 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 24, 2015 Yeah, I was wondering if it has any salvage value on ebay, for parts. But that's a good point, I'll pop it open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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