So yesterday I'm cruising down the street at night with my lights on, and realize that my radio isn't illuminating. I turned the lights on and off, everything works as it should, except that the radio doesn't dim now. Everything else dims properly using the dimmer switch, but the radio seems to have a mind of it's own. It doesn't seem to be direct wired (just purchased a month ago) as it turns off when the car is off. I did a little research and it seems that the bulbs can act up on these, but not being able to dim, that's a wiring issue, correct?

 

OEM deck?

 

yes sorry I didn't clarify. OEM deck.

 

i know on aftermarket u have to use the dimmer to dim ur lights for it to autodim. not sure about oem.

 

just be happy that it is still lighting up

 

Are the lights coming on at all, or are they just not dimming with the switch?

Its possible that the previous owner had an aftermarket deck in the car. When you get a chance, pull the radio out (make sure you have the code for it) and check all the wiring. Ill take a look at my pinouts and Ill let you know what wire/pin controls the dimming function.

 

one of the orange wires







na... that is only on aftermarket wiring harnesses

 

I think it is either the white/orange wire or the orange wire, but its been forever since Ive played with that crap and I dont want him poking around something else for no reason.

 

When I sold my CL-s the radio lights where totaly out.. When the lights where off it lit up a little but when I turned my lights on the radio went black.. I banged the side and that made it work (sometimes) but you will prob need to search some junkyards or ebay for a new OEM deck.. You cant really change the bulbs in the radio cuz they are soddered on, unless u know and want to sodder , but for the time and money u will spend tring to fix it u would prob be able to find one on ebay..

 

or just get a aftermarket radio and be done with it

 

as said for an aftermarket radio

for the oem harness it is pins 9 (red/blk)(illu +) and 19 (red)(illu-) that go to the dash lights and such

 

thanks a million guys! I'll definitely pull the deck and start searching through the wires. I pray some idiot didn't hardwire a deck, then remove it and try and re attach the wires as best as possible.

 

i F***ing hate that, thats why they make something called adaptor harnesses, so you don't have to hack at the factory harness (and ours are readily available too, and only like $10-15 too i think), so best of luck on your part for not being hacked at