Car Stereos: 1996 GMC Sierra C1500 factory radio, gmc sierra, gm truck

Question
QUESTION: The factory tape deck in my 1996 GMC C1500 is broken. A friend has given me his factory stereo W/separate CD unit out of his 1996 GMC k1500. The harness plugs up but i get no power whatsoever The only difference in the two is his unit has extra pins that are not used on my harness. How can I get this to work in my truck.

ANSWER: Hi Orrin,

To the best of my knowledge, all the 1996 GM truck radios are identical as far as the power and ground connections are concerned, which means the extra pins shouldn't be necessary to turn the radio on.  There is an anti-theft system which can disable the radio if it's disconnected from power, but if this was active, you should still see a "code" message in the display--the radio wouldn't be completely dead.

My only suggestion would be to check the vehicle fuses.  There are two fuses that supply radio power:  "radio" and "radio batt" located in the fuse box on the end of the driver's side dash.  If either fuse is blown, the radio won't work.  If you have a multimeter handy, you can test the power wires in the radio harness: the constant power wire is orange, and the key-switched power wire is yellow.  With the key in the "accessory" position, you should have power on both wires; if there is voltage present, but no radio power, then the problem must be in the radio.

Hope this helps!

Brian

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The radio I am trying to install is a Delco Premium model 16213825. My unit powers on with no problems(other than tape deck is broken). The new unit gets no power whatsoever that I can tell. Is there a way to connect the premium system to my truck so it will work? thanks

Answer
Hi Orrin,

I've seen that particular radio quite a few times.  You really shouldn't have to do anything different to make it work in your truck--no modifications are needed.  The power connections and plugs are exactly the same as in every other 1995-2002 full-size GM truck.  Unfortunately, if it's not powering up, while your old unit switches on without a problem, then the only explanation is that the new unit is defective.  It may have worked fine in your friend's truck, but it doesn't seem to be working now; and I'm 100% certain that it should work in any 95-02 GM truck with no modifications.  The only exception would be if your truck was originally equipped with a Bose audio system, but even then I'd expect the radio to power up--it just wouldn't play audio.

Sorry I can't be more helpful!

Brian