Audio Systems: My car radio is something, software corruption, electronic failure

Question
My car radio is not responding to anything but AM only. I cannot change the station or the CD Player or cassette player, it will not change stations or anything. I was told it needed re-programming whatever that means. I don't know what caused it I just know it doesn't work. PLease help Theresa

Answer
Without knowing the make/model/year of your car and the radio/player in it I can only give you general information.

If the controller programmer is malfunctioning because of a software corruption it can be cured with a hard reset.  This is done by removing total power from it for 30 minutes. If it is an electronic failure it will need to have service - or replacement.

To do a reset, remove the battery terminal on either the plus or minus terminal of the battery.  However, before doing that make sure you have the theft code if your radio has antitheft feature (you will need it to restart the radio after restoring power).

And, as above, if the reset does not help, service is in store.  The cost of service could be over $100.  Sometimes a new unit is the better way to go.  If the unit is more than 2 years old most experts would suggest you just replace it.

Let me know more if you have questions.
C