Car Stereos: purchasing/general advice regarding aftermarket radio/xm/CD player, 2008 chevy trailblazer, chevy trailblazer

Question
I have a 2008 Chevy Trailblazer with a lease that will expire in a couple weeks. The radio no longer works. No power. Nothing. I need to do a bit more investigation work, but I can't find a fried fuse, or bad connection or any easy fix like that. My fear is that the radio will need to be replaced. Unfortuneately, the warranty has expired, so the cost is mine. I want to fix it before I turn in the vehicle, as the dealer cost that Ally/GMAC will charge will likely be incredibly high.

My question: How/where can I buy an aftermarket radio (for a good price)? Also, any other advice you may have would be greatly appreciated.

Side note: My step son either mistakenly crossed up the pos/neg leads on the battery or the pos/neg posts on the fuse box(!) when jump starting the vehicle. At that point I lost all interior power: dome, power locks, windows, AC/heater, etc. I replaced what I believe is called the master fuse (125 amp) and all works fine except the radio.

Answer
Hi John,

The only radio fuse in your Trailblazer should be located in the fuse box under the rear seat.  If it's similar to the 2007 Trailblazer, then it's fuse #41, labeled "radio".

The trouble with replacing the stock radio in a Trailblazer (or just about any newer GM vehicle) is that the factory radio is integrated with the vehicle's data bus system.  In particular, some vehicle functions are controlled through the radio unit.  For example, all audible warning chimes are generated by the factory radio and play through the driver's door speaker.

It's pretty simple to find an after-market head unit that can be installed into your vehicle; it's more expensive, though, to keep all the original factory functions working with a replacement head unit.  An adapter module can be used to preserve the warning chime functions, as well as Onstar functions, if your vehicle was equipped with Onstar.  Another module would be needed if you have audio controls on the steering wheel and want to keep them working with the new deck.  Another factory option was a rear seat audio unit; it might not be possible to keep that working with an after-market radio.

Hope this helps!

Brian