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2001 GP SE Factory CD Radio Lights for Controls All Work, Digital Display Doesn't

AJ1G

New member
At first I thought the radio digital frequency display digits were completely out, but today with the sun shining on the display, I could actually see that the display is working, but is VERY dim. I can shine a flashlight on the display to see the digits as well. All of the rest of the radio control backlighting works fine, and the brightness levels are controlled by the dash lights dimmer control.

Is there possibly a separate wire that controls the brightness level of the digital display that may have come adrift? Somewhere in the car's past someone appears to have screwed around with the interior lighting, as the wiring to the overhead reading lamps are disconnected at the bulb fixtures, and the bulbs and lenses for the lights above the rear doors were removed (found them in an envelope in the glove box}. I'm thinking the car might have had (and may still have) a problem with those lights staying on all the time. I also found documentation for some sort of aftermarket remote doorlock and security alarm system that may have been poorly installed that might be part of the problem.

While I am on the radio subject, how do you deal with the factory radio antitheft security code issue? I have no idea what the code might be. OTOH, after I had to replace the car battery, the radio worked fine, so maybe its already been hacked around? On another of our cars , some previous owner had fortunately put the code on the case of the radio. Can I get the code from a dealer through the VIN number?
 


There is a light bulb behind the display. Likely it burned out. I've replaced with one from a JY radio and or Radioshack,.

On that last part, google it. There's a great corvette or other post up that you'll come across that tells you how to do it.
 
Thanks Bill. Much simpler fix than I expected! Enfied, eh? Wonder if you know my ham friend Frank Carcia from that neck of the woods, he's also a motorhead that has been involved with ponchos over the years.

Chris
Stonington, CT
 
Been down this road on my 00 GT and the radio I swapped into my 95 Bonne to gain 7-band eq and CD player, as it had a tape player originally. I never had to get the unlock code for any of the radios.

The bulb is GM/AC Delco part #16208443, cost between $8-10
Here is a pic of the bulb too.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/xeroinfinity/SeCond%20Hand/Gmradiobulb.jpg

And take a look at this post from another forum on how to replace it.---> Radio Backlight Lamp Replacement '97-'03 - Automotive Forums .com Car Chat
 
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