Radio display only works with headlights

2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER
100,700 MILES • 2.0L • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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JJBURTON5
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Recently bought this car second hand. The audio on the radio works absolutely fine, but the buttons on the face of the radio do not work or light up and the display does not light up either. The volume can still be adjusted by the steering wheel buttons. However, when the headlights are turned on, the radio display turns on and comes to life, showing 1:00, and the buttons also light up and begin working. I am entirely clueless as to what could be causing this, except for some sort of error with the twelve volts constant.
Jul 26, 2017 at 1:34 PM
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STRAILER
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Hello,

This sounds like the radio unit itself is bad but to be sure lets check the power and grounds for the unit, Here is a guide and a wiring diagram (Below) to confirm.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
Jul 28, 2017 at 11:22 AM