2006 Vue V6 Radio not working

[charj9147]

Hello Everyone!

I am new to this forum, and I have owned my Vue since it was new. I have not had any issues with the vehicle until today. My battery went dead today, and I replaced it and now my Radio doesn't have power. I checked all of the fuses and they are good. The radio doesn't display any security codes...nothing at all...Does anyone have any idea what could of happened?Everything else works fine. I also disconnected the battery and reconected it and still no power to the radio. The dealer told me that the radio should display some kind of message, but it is dead..Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Chuck

[XRL]

Most likely you have a fuse somewhere that is blown. Do you have a multimeter? the easy way to tell what the source of your issue is is to meter the wires behind the radio and make sure you have a 12v constant power. If not, you have a hidden fuse that is blown somewhere most likely. if you do, your radio is toasted most likely.

[charj9147]

Thanks XRL! That is a good idea. I was pretty sure that this was/is a fuse issue. I checked the radio fuse inside the cabin, and the audio fuse in the engine bay they were good. I had an amp installed, so I will try and track down that fuse. I don't have a volt meter...but I can borrow one. I have been wanting to upgrade my stock radio, and this may be the excuse that I needed.

[far2grumpy]

Hello Everyone!

I am new to this forum, and I have owned my Vue since it was new. I have not had any issues with the vehicle until today. My battery went dead today, and I replaced it and now my Radio doesn't have power. I checked all of the fuses and they are good. The radio doesn't display any security codes...nothing at all...Does anyone have any idea what could of happened?Everything else works fine. I also disconnected the battery and reconected it and still no power to the radio. The dealer told me that the radio should display some kind of message, but it is dead..Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Chuck

Chuck ... I've attached a schematic with power diagram for 05 Vue. I don't have one for 06. There are three fuses for the 05 system and I'd guess you have at least as many.

One fuse is in the under-hood fuse block - 20 amp titled PREM AUDIO - I don't see how this fuse could keep the display from lighting - but we are talking about a Saturn.

There are two other fuses in I/P fuse block - both 10A - one provides constant battery power and the other is switched from ignition.

You indicate all fuses were checked but I suggest you remove each fuse and re-seat in the socket. Others have restored radio power by re-seating fuses.

[XRL]

The '06 will have a different wiring setup than the '05. It's also relatively common for vehicles to be fused by different components prior to their actual fuse. So you may have a seemingly unrelated fuse blown that is cutting power from that circuit.

When you test the fuses, test them with the fuses still in. Then look for the fuse with power on one side of the fuse, but not on the other. After having your battery replaced, you may have several fuses blown, so I would just check all the fuses.

[BobbyP]

There's been several posts where 2006 VUE owners had to pull and reinsert the fuses for their amps to get the radios to work again. They all worked reliably afterwards and the fuses were not blown. Pulling and reinserting the fuses reset something allowing the radios to work.

Hopefully you had the radio and everything possible turned off during the battery replacement. I remember one post where a battery replacement fried a 2006 VUE's owners radio. He had his radio on during the procedure.

Also make sure you did not turn the dash brightness control all the way down. Otherwise check and possibly replace all fuses related to the radio. It may look good, but be bad.

[charj9147]

Chuck ... I've attached a schematic with power diagram for 05 Vue. I don't have one for 06. There are three fuses for the 05 system and I'd guess you have at least as many.

One fuse is in the under-hood fuse block - 20 amp titled PREM AUDIO - I don't see how this fuse could keep the display from lighting - but we are talking about a Saturn.

There are two other fuses in I/P fuse block - both 10A - one provides constant battery power and the other is switched from ignition.

You indicate all fuses were checked but I suggest you remove each fuse and re-seat in the socket. Others have restored radio power by re-seating fuses.

Thank you far2grumpy!
I appreciate the advise and the wiring diagram. I am going to replace the fuses with new ones and see what happens.

Chuck

[charj9147]

There's been several posts where 2006 VUE owners had to pull and reinsert the fuses for their amps to get the radios to work again. They all worked reliably afterwards and the fuses were not blown. Pulling and reinserting the fuses reset something allowing the radios to work.

Hopefully you had the radio and everything possible turned off during the battery replacement. I remember one post where a battery replacement fried a 2006 VUE's owners radio. He had his radio on during the procedure.

Also make sure you did not turn the dash brightness control all the way down. Otherwise check and possibly replace all fuses related to the radio. It may look good, but be bad.

Thanks BobbyP! I will pull all of the fuses and replace the radio fuses with new ones...I bet that my radio was on when I changed the battery. Maybe, I fried the radio...oh well I wanted to upgrade my radio anyway. I miss the days when you could replace a battery and not need a system analyst to get all systems up and running.

[far2grumpy]

I miss the days when you could replace a battery and not need a system analyst to get all systems up and running.

Chuck ... I've located schematics for the 06 Vue and power scheme is same as the 05. The schematic also indicates power is direct from battery or ignition to radio fuses. Three different levels of radio are supported so let me know if you want the schematic.

Your last sentence struck a nerve ... the radio in my 05 Vue is not susceptible to power outages but the one in my 2004 S-10 pickup is tied to the class 2 bus. In theory - if you remove battery power - you need to visit the dealer for a scan tool reprogram to revive the radio.

I decided early on I needed a way to keep power to the radio when the battery was disconnected. I bought a small power pack (around $6) at the hardware store. I plug this into the cigar-lighter socket ... it has a nine volt battery ... and it keeps power to the radio as well as providing keep-alive voltage to other modules on class 2 bus (BCM, ECM, etc.).

I know others who use those small umbilicals with a power plug on each end to route power from cigar lighter in one vehicle to the candidate vehicle while the battery is disconnected.

It goes without saying the lighter receptacle in both vehicles must be "alive" with the key off and/or removed.

[charj9147]

Chuck ... I've located schematics for the 06 Vue and power scheme is same as the 05. The schematic also indicates power is direct from battery or ignition to radio fuses. Three different levels of radio are supported so let me know if you want the schematic.

Your last sentence struck a nerve ... the radio in my 05 Vue is not susceptible to power outages but the one in my 2004 S-10 pickup is tied to the class 2 bus. In theory - if you remove battery power - you need to visit the dealer for a scan tool reprogram to revive the radio.

I decided early on I needed a way to keep power to the radio when the battery was disconnected. I bought a small power pack (around $6) at the hardware store. I plug this into the cigar-lighter socket ... it has a nine volt battery ... and it keeps power to the radio as well as providing keep-alive voltage to other modules on class 2 bus (BCM, ECM, etc.).

I know others who use those small umbilicals with a power plug on each end to route power from cigar lighter in one vehicle to the candidate vehicle while the battery is disconnected.

It goes without saying the lighter receptacle in both vehicles must be "alive" with the key off and/or removed.

Thanks Far2grumpy,

I am fine with the 2005 schematic. I know where all three fuses are. I will replace them and see what happens. If I am getting power to the radio and it is not working then the radio is more than likely fried. I am not sure how that could happen without blowing a fuse.

Thanks,

Chuck

[charj9147]

Okay, I replaced all of the radio fuses they are all good. I checked the inside passenger fuse locations with a voltmeter and both locations are drawing 12 volts. I also checked and my bazooka base tube and it has power...the 20 amp prem. audio slot under the hood didn't have voltage, but I am not sure what this fuse regulates...I don't have premium audio, it is just an am/fm single cd player? Any idea's? Does power inside the cabin indicate the radio is bad?

Thanks,

Chuck

[far2grumpy]

Chuck ... I'm thinking the next step is to pull the radio out far enough to see if you have +12 at the connector ... if so and it still don't work .. uh oh.

[charj9147]

Thanks far2grumpy! I think that you are correct. I wasn't expecting to find power in the cab. I would bet that there is power to the stero. I bet the radio toasted. I would think that it would take a little more to fry a radio, but what can you do...lesson learned.

Chuck

[charj9147]

Power is making it to my radio, but the radio is still gone. I was going to install an aftermarket stero, but I would like to keep my steering wheel controls and Onstar capability. The cost of the aftermarket stero and the associated harnesses is pretty close to the cost of buying a new OEM radio, and I wouldn't have to wonder if some other electronic gremlin would surface. I read about a couple other people that had the same dead radio issue after a jump or battery change, and one stated that the Theft Deterrent System can be activated if power is lost. They stated that the key would need to be put in the run position and a four digit code would need to be entered that would restore the radio capability. Is this person confusing this with an unlock code which would require the radio to have power?

[charj9147]

Does anyone have a schematic of the stock radio for a 2006 Vue? I want to research if it repairable.

[far2grumpy]

Does anyone have a schematic of the stock radio for a 2006 Vue? I want to research if it repairable.

General comment: All I've read about anti-theft RDS radios indicates they compare vehicle VIN with data stored in radio at turn-on. If the numbers don't match, or there's no code in radio to compare, the radio will display LOCKED and you need the dealers scan tool to reload.

Since your radio display is blank / inop, and you've confirmed you have +12 at connector C1 pin 1 (orange wire), at all times, and pin 14 (yellow wire), with key in ACCY or RUN, (and make darn sure the chassis is common to vehicle ground) it could be internal fuse or some type fusible link that's failed. I'd be inclined to remove the cover and look at circuitry near where power wiring enters the radio for a fuse type device.

However, even if you find and repair, an open power circuit you'll need to overcome the VIN obstacle.

I don't have internal schematics ... you may be able to find one using internet and it might help if you had the RPO code for your radio. See codes from my 05 RPO list below.

The service parts codes are on a sticker on rear door - driver-side (on my 05 at least)

US8 Radio AM/FM Stereo, Seek/Scan CD, Auto Tone, Clock ETR, MP3, RDS

US9 Radio AM/FM Stereo, Seek/Scan, RDS Multiple Compact DISC, Auto Tone Control, Clock, ETR, MP3

UU8 Radio AM/FM Stereo, CD, Navigation, RDS, MP3 Decoder, DVD

UW6 Speaker System 6, Custom

U1C Radio AM/FM Stereo, Seek/Scan, CD, Clock, ETR

U2K Digital Audio System S -Band

Finally, many others suggest information and product available at Crutchfield (http://www.crutchfield.com) is as good as it gets. If / when you're finally up against the wall, you might get in touch with them for options.

[charj9147]

Thanks again Far2grumpy! This is awesome information!

Chuck

[charj9147]

I pulled the radio once more hoping to fix it, but I could not see any type of internal fuse. I re-checked the harness for power with far2grumpy's excellent directions and again found 12 volts to the radio. Oh well, I learned a lot about the Vue. I am located in Phoenix and this process has taken several weeks because I was working on the car in 110 degree plus heat. At least my a/c is still works perfectly! Thanks for all of the help!

[chillin05VUE]

I am located in Phoenix and this process has taken several weeks because I was working on the car in 110 degree plus heat. At least my a/c is still works perfectly! Thanks for all of the help!

I feel your pain. All this past week, it was in the low 100's here. And 70% of the buildings don't have A/C. The Seattle area never gotten above 100 in recorded history.

[far2grumpy]

I pulled the radio once more hoping to fix it, but I could not see any type of internal fuse.

Chuck ... did you determine which radio you have using RPO code data?

I found another interesting doc in the 05 FSM pertaining to the U1C, US8 and US9 radio. There are parts of three pages addressing Theft Deterrent features.

I've been baffled why I can disconnect the battery on my 05 Vue and the radio never goes into "LOCK". I bought the Vue used and the previous owner apparently never enabled the theft deterrent features.

Again, I don't believe the attached will bring a dead radio to life but it might give you an idea of just how complex the theft deterrent features would be to defeat, once enabled.

BTW ... Iowa set a new average temperature record for July with the lowest temps since they've been recorded. We're having northwest temps and they're having southwest temps. AZ is ... well ... having AZ temps. Sorry.

[fdryer]

I have this radio theft deterrent feature in my '03 L300 and did activate it several years ago, only to have my radio lock out on me when I recently replaced my battery. Although I had the manual in the car ( :dizzy: ) I decided to try punching in my code but had to struggle with the very confusing button combinations. After a gazillion tries I succeeded in unlocking my radio. I kind of knew this was going to occur someday...............................:xeye: Mine was never activated by the previous owner too.

I believe when the theft deterrent program isn't activated, firmware ignores the step for checking theft deterrent activation by possibly one bit in a control word used in standard communications in software. Once the bit is set the control word goes off into another part of firmware that stores the customer's code and the control bit shunts software routines into this area. Never inputting a code should never set this control bit as it must be done manually to enter a code where several steps are taken to activate the program ensuring that this control bit is never unintentionally reviewed by internal firmware no matter how often the radio is completely disconnected from a source of power. I think the software/firmware specialists used tried and true methods so an unarmed radio theft deterrent program that's never activated will always allow the radio power to be removed as often as needed, left completely unpowered even, and still operate upon power-up.

I'm guessing that Chuck isn't having a theft deterrent issue as much as it seems to be a simple but complicated power-up dilemma. With radio's having more sophistication than ever, safeguarding a normal power-up without sending electrical damaging spikes into expensive electronics must entail some form of soft power-up routine before full power is sent into all the radio circuits. Off the top of my little head I think this is where the problem lies and having the wiring schematics for the radio internals may be the only way to read the road map inside it. It may be a simple micro-fuse not normally recognizable to many unless familiar with miniaturization of fuses is realized (guess how I know?) or something that may have blown to halt the normal powering up sequence of this radio. This won't be the usual Easter egg hunt without a good electronics tech eyeballing this radio for a casual look. Starting with the power pin and tracing circuit lines is the hard old school way without a schematic diagram to help. It boils down to a toss-up to either replacing it or moving on to a newer different radio. This may not be repairable in the end. :(

[3RedLines]

Starting with the power pin and tracing circuit lines is the hard old school way without a schematic diagram to help. :(

And made even more fun with the introduction of multi-layered circuit boards:dizzy:

Also Delco and some others would coat their circuit boards with a clear sealant to lock out moisture making casual probing with anything but a sharp tipped probe rather difficult.

When I finished building RL #2 it was taken in for an alignment. When they were finished the car wouldn't crank and they offered a jump start. After that all radio display segments would light for a couple of seconds then operate normally. It did this for about a week and finally died. I replaced it with one off Ebay for about $38, at that price it wasn't worth trying to repair the old one.

[BobbyP]

And made even more fun with the introduction of multi-layered circuit boards:dizzy:

Dolby uses a 13 layer circuit board on one of their servers. To safeguard their technology if you open the server it destroys the board. :dizzy:

[charj9147]

I feel your pain. All this past week, it was in the low 100's here. And 70% of the buildings don't have A/C. The Seattle area never gotten above 100 in recorded history.


Wow, that is very hot for the northwest. Sorry it has been so hot up there...it makes it kind of tough to work on things...

Chuck

[charj9147]

Chuck ... did you determine which radio you have using RPO code data?

I found another interesting doc in the 05 FSM pertaining to the U1C, US8 and US9 radio. There are parts of three pages addressing Theft Deterrent features.

I've been baffled why I can disconnect the battery on my 05 Vue and the radio never goes into "LOCK". I bought the Vue used and the previous owner apparently never enabled the theft deterrent features.

Again, I don't believe the attached will bring a dead radio to life but it might give you an idea of just how complex the theft deterrent features would be to defeat, once enabled.

BTW ... Iowa set a new average temperature record for July with the lowest temps since they've been recorded. We're having northwest temps and they're having southwest temps. AZ is ... well ... having AZ temps. Sorry.


Hi Far2Grumpy! I have been out of town on a business trip and have not been on the forum in a while, but I want to thank you for all of your help. I went with an aftermarket stero, but it was far from easy to locate the correct wiring harness, install kit and antenna adapter for my 2006 Vue. I could not find a store that had all of the parts...I found them all, but I had to go to three different stores...and one of the stores sold me a wiring harness that someone had stuffed the wrong module in...I discovered this after my Vue was in pieces. So after another trip across town, I found the correct one...It is working great now. I am really happy with the upgrade, the sound is great, and I don't have to worry about my next battery change melting down my stereo...In Arizona with the sweltering heat batterys don't last long. I appreciate everyone's help, escpecially you Far2Grumpy your advice and information really helped me diagnos the problem...I have tunes again!!

[Bismarck318]

Wow, that is very hot for the northwest. Sorry it has been so hot up there...it makes it kind of tough to work on things...


I have quite the opposite problem here, too few nice days to work on anything, I really can't work on these things when it gets in the 50's below.

I feel your pain. All this past week, it was in the low 100's here. And 70% of the buildings don't have A/C. The Seattle area never gotten above 100 in recorded history.

I'm surprised this has been a very cold summer.. must be a western thing for the heat, I was in western MD this past weekend it barely got out of the 50's on Friday & Sat.

Too much electronics in these vehicles, not good & really drove the price up I'm imagining their excuse will be.... I'm going to check my codes & see what radio setup I have... mine is the Standard AM/FM with a CD player, no MP3, & no RDS.

I think I could do without the steering wheel controls either, I would rather have HUD. The lights coming on with the alarm confirm is likely going to do the battery in prematurly, I have had batteries last 9 years in the past & they always go in the dead of winter too when it's below 10 & impossible to work on them.

[Bismarck318]

Pressed the 1,2 & 5 Keys with the ignition on & held them... nothing happens.

[far2grumpy]

Pressed the 1,2 & 5 Keys with the ignition on & held them... nothing happens.

The instructions posted previously state you should push buttons 1 & 2 for 5 seconds (nothing about pressing key 5).

According to instructions a four digit number will appear if radio is SECURED. No numbers indicate the radio is not SECURED.

I've reposted the extract below:

Important

Before performing service on a vehicle, verify the theft deterrent feature is in the VULNERABLE (unarmed) mode.

This check is made by the following steps:

1. Turn the ignition ON. Radio OFF.
2. Press and hold preset buttons "1'" and "2" for 5 seconds.
3. If SEC (armed), a 4-digit number will appear on the radio display. This number is NOT the customer's code. Ask the customer to disarm the feature by following the procedure given in the owner's manual. The procedure is the same procedure used for activating the theft deterrent feature.
4. If no number appears, the theft deterrent feature is VULNERABLE (unarmed) and service may be performed

[Bismarck318]

My Bad, I'll go out & try it again. :eek: