radio comes on but wont play

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=16101
Printed Date: July 30, 2025 at 4:06 AM

Topic: radio comes on but wont play

Posted By: merjii
Subject: radio comes on but wont play
Date Posted: July 09, 2003 at 3:52 PM

im having trouble with a friends car, 2001 ford escort zx2. the radio powers on but nothing comes out of the speakers. around the same time the windshield wipers quit working although the washer still does. i checked fuses and they are all good. im thinking maybe a speaker wire shorted out?

thanks

Replies:

Posted By: esmith69
Date Posted: July 09, 2003 at 4:28 PM

Use a DMM to continuity-check all of the fuses in the vehicle, including any that may be underneath the hood.

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Ethan
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Posted By: ld2638
Date Posted: July 09, 2003 at 10:11 PM

A couple of possibilities:

What do the plugs look like? One rectangle on one almost square? Or are they both about the same size rectangle and one is black the other gray? There are a few zx2's out there with the 1st plug set i described. It is not common, but this one has an amplifier in it from the factory. If this is the case you need to hook up the amp turn on wire in the power harness.

If you do not have that issue you may have a blown speakers or one that is shorting to the frame of the vehicle. Alot of radios will shut down thier outputs to protect themselves if you have a shorted speaker lead.