Radio/Stereo: Description and Operation
INTRODUCTIONOperating instructions for the factory installed audio systems can be found in the Owner's Manual provided with the vehicle.
NS vehicles are equipped with an Ignition Off Draw (IOD) fuse in the power distribution center located in the engine compartment. After the IOD fuse or battery has been disconnected, the radio station sets and clock will require resetting.
RADIO SYSTEM
There are three radio systems available this year that will be on the CCD bus. They are the RBR, RBN and RAZ models. The main reason they are on the bus is because of the radio remote controls in the steering wheel. They can control volume up / down, seek up, seek down and preset station selections. These systems also communicate with the body control module and will set a specific code if there is a problem with the remote controls.
The RBR will have 4 speakers and the others will have 8 speaker locations (Infinity sound). All of the 4 main quarter speakers have a built in amplifier. The I/P and pillar speakers receive their signals from the quarter speakers. Depending on the manufacture some systems will have a Front / Rear channel system and others will have a Left / Right channel system. If one of the main quarter speaker audio circuits experiences a short, the other speakers on that channel will also shut down until the circuit is repaired. The radio will also set a trouble code, which is assessible with the DRB, indicating which channel is effected.
SYSTEM OPERATION
Antenna
All models use a fixed-length stainless steel rod-type antenna mast, installed at the right front fender of the vehicle. The antenna mast is connected to the center wire of the coaxial antenna cable, and is not grounded to any part of the vehicle.
To eliminate static, the antenna base must have a good ground. The coaxial antenna cable shield (the outer wire mesh of the cable) is grounded to the antenna base and the radio chassis.
The antenna coaxial cable has an additional disconnect, located near the right end of the instrument panel. This additional disconnect allows the instrument panel assembly to be removed and installed without removing the radio.
The factory-installed Electronically Tuned Radios (ETRs) automatically compensate for radio antenna trim. Therefore, no antenna trimmer adjustment is required or possible when replacing the receiver or the antenna.
Choke - Infinity Speakers
If the audio system is cutting in and out at higher volumes, check for continuity across the choke connector. If no continuity replace the choke assembly The choke is located on the junction block/body control module.
Interference Elimination
Some components used on the vehicles are equipped with a capacitor to suppress radio frequency interference/static.
Capacitors are mounted in various locations internal to the alternator, instrument cluster and windshield wiper motor.
To suppress radio interference, ground straps are used in different areas of the vehicle. These ground circuits should be securely tightened to assure good metal to metal contact. The ground straps conduct very small high frequency electrical signals to ground and require clean surface contact area. The radio ground is supplied from the instrument panel harness and is attached to the rear of the radio. Some engines have other ground straps to eliminate further radio interference:
- Radio chassis to instrument panel structure
- Engine to dash panel
- Engine to chassis
- A/C H-valve to dash panel
Radio resistance type spark plug cables in the high tension circuit of the ignition system complete the interference suppression. Faulty or deteriorated spark plug wires should be replaced.
Name Brand Speaker Relay
Relay is located in the junction block. To test relay refer to the Audio Diagnostic Test Procedures or use a known good relay.
Radio
The available factory-installed radio receiver for this model only is an AM/FM/CD/cassette/3-band graphic equalizer (RAZ sales code), which is a stereo Electronically Tuned Radios (ETR) and includes an electronic digital clock function.
All factory-installed radio receivers are stereo Electronically Tuned Radios (ETR) and include an electronic digital clock function.
The radio receiver communicates on the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus network through a separate two-way wire harness connector. The CCD data bus network allows the sharing of sensor information. This helps to reduce wire harness complexity, internal controller hardware, and component sensor current loads. At the same time, this system provides increased reliability, enhanced diagnostics, and allows the addition of many new feature capabilities.
In addition, radios connected to the CCD data bus have several audio system functions that can be diagnosed using a DRB scan tool. Refer to the proper Body Diagnostic Procedures for more information on DRB testing of the audio systems.
The radio can only be serviced by an authorized radio repair station. Refer to the latest Warranty Policies and Procedures for a current listing of authorized radio repair stations.
For more information on radio features, setting procedures, and control functions refer to the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box.
Radio Ignition Interference
Motor Mount To Frame Rail Ground:
Engine Ground Locations (2.4L):
Engine Ground Locations (2.4L):
Engine Ground Locations (3.0L):
Engine Ground Locations (3.3L/3.8L):
If receiving ignition/engine interference noise on the radio stations, check and clean all engine and body ground connections. Ensure all ground connections are without corrosion.
Tighten properly after cleaning.
[1][2]Remote Radio Switches
Engine Ground Locations (3.3L/3.8L):
A remote radio control switch option is available on LXI models sold in North America with the AM/FM/ cassette/5-band graphic equalizer with CD changer control feature (RBN sales code), or the AM/FM/CD/ cassette/3-band graphic equalizer (RAZ sales code) radio receivers. Two rocker-type switches are mounted on the back (instrument panel side) of the steering wheel spokes. The switch on the left spoke is the seek switch and has seek up, seek down, and preset station advance functions. The switch on the right spoke is the volume control switch and has volume up, and volume down functions.
These switches are resistor multiplexed units that are hard-wired to the Body Control Module (BCM) through the clockspring. The BCM sends the proper messages on the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus network to the radio receiver. For diagnosis of the BCM or the CCD data bus, the use of a DRB scan tool and the proper Diagnostic Procedures are recommended. For more information on the operation of the [1][2]remote radio switch controls, refer to the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box.