Car Stereos: Delco System Intermitent Short, chevy silverado 2500 hd, delco system

Question
QUESTION: Hi Scott,

I have a 2002 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD 6l. 4x4.  The tweeters fell off a while back due to the plastic studs breaking.  I did a better than factory fix and the band played on until I lost the driver side main speaker (don't know the correct term).  I replaced both speakers with a set from Crutchfield that was supposed to match the stock speakers.  A couple of months ago the whole system started to short out, then come back on with no apparent pattern.  It is not just the CD player or radio.  Everything including the clock stops and will come on and go back out again.  It can go days without any problem.  Today it started again on a trip to the store.  Do you have any ideas?  

Thanks in advance for your help.

Yours,

Steve

ANSWER: Steve,  the early 2000 GM radio models were not built very well.  The connection inside the radio that connects the electronics to the plug works loose and makes a bad connection.  The only fix is to have the radio repaired or buy and aftermarket model.  Preferably, I would pick a nice Alpine model to replace the original.  Hope this helps, Scott

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QUESTION: Hi Scott,

Thank you very much for the info.  I am assuming that the aftermarket model would fit in the space that houses the stock model.  Is that so, and how much do they run?  

I am quite handy and am wondering if the repair job is something I could do myself.  One of the lights needs replacing as well, so I could try to do both jobs.  At worst, I would fail miserably and have to get the Alpine system.  Recently I replaced a lot of the wiring in a 1942 Crosley radio.  Please let me know what you think.  Again, thanks so much for your help.

Steve

Answer
Yes, they make mounting brackets that adapt the normal size radio to your trucks dash, or you can buy a radio that is made that size.  If you can solder circuit boards, that all it is.  The prongs from the plug go into the radio and are soldered to the circuit board.  One of those solders has come loose (maybe more than one).  Just resolder the connection, and the radio should work again.  Good Luck, Scott