Radio Display goes dark

[99 Red Stroker]

I have a 1999 superduty with a CD and cassete combo. At times the display for the clock and radio will just quit. In a while it may just come back on. All the controls work fine I just can't see the clock and things like the volume and the cd counter and so on. I'm just wondering if anyone has had the same problem. Any info or ideas would be great.
99 Red Stroker

[fordnut85]

Does it go completley black or does it just dim similar to when you turn the lights on???

[99 Red Stroker]

Thank you for the reply Duane. Whether the lights are on or the radio is turned on sometimes it will go clear off. And then the next time I use the truck it may come back on and stay on. I'm open for any ideas HA!!!!!!
99 Red Stroker

[fordnut85]

When the lights go off does the radio still play??

[99 Red Stroker]

Duane
Everything works fine. The c-tape and the cd and also the radio work great. When it goes dark you just can't see the controls like the vol,clock,and cd tracks. It seems to work fine other than I loose the lights.
I was just trying to think of what might cause it to go off and then come back. Could there be a control that might cause it to act in this manner?? It don't seem affect the dash lights. I haven't watched to see if the dash dims when I put the head lights on. It does have an Amp system and part of the system was removed when I bought the truck. It still has one amp and all the wires to the other amp have been taped. I just haven't had time to replace the other amp and speakers. Could this have a bearing on this ??? Hope I've explained things so that you can get a better picture of what is going on. Thank you and I will check to see if the dash dims when the head lights are in use.
99 Red Stroker

[fordnut85]

I don't think the amp has anything to do with it. There is the posibility that there is a problem with the light control circuit (part that dims the radio lights with the rest of the dash when you rotate the knob) but that is not likely since the lights go all the way out. I would guess it is a problem in the head unit itself, The only way to test that is to find another radio (if possible) and use that for awhile and see if the problem continues. If it turns out that it is the head unit the cost of repair could be about the same as a good aftermarket head unit so......Tell your significant other that it is much cheaper to get this cool XM ready head unit

[mschn99]

Odds are it is the radio itself, i have seen it before...AND it is considedrably cheaper to buy an aftermarket unit and intall kit. It is between 600 and 800 dollars to replace that stock radio with a new unit

[Logan]

yeah and for that price you could be watching DVDs

[fordnut85]

with XM and Hi-Def lol

[99 Red Stroker]

Thank You to all,
I really enjoy this site. It's like a box of mixed C candy. Like Forest Gump you never know what your going to get HA!!! I kinda like the DVD idea !!!!!
Really I can live with the display coming and going as it works fine other that that. I'm kind of a nut when something don't work like it should. If it isn't right I want it taken care of. I've only had the 7.3 for a month or so and I like it better each time I climb in. The power is great !!!! I did put on a set of stainless board so the climb isn't so high. I'm kinda new to the site and if I get it figured out I will post a few pictures. Thank you again and keep up the good work.
99 Red Stroker