Technical Radio

[Maggiedee]

Hi everyone

Need some help. My radio keeps turning on and off and have been told I need a new unit which could cost £3000!!! Is that right ?

 

[s130]

What radio unit does your 500X have, and year?

When you say it is turning on and off do you mean that when you turn it off it randomly powers on again? Or when on and driving it powers off than later powers on again, then off, etc.

Getting a replacement from Fiat is going to be expensive. Often Fiat will have "service exchange" units at a lower price. Only a dealer or someone with access to the current Fiat Parts Catalog can answer this and get a price.

There are firms that can repair radio/nav units which will be far cheaper.

A web search finds this company. Revtronic

There are others and I have no experience of any of them.

 

[arekp]

Replace it with an aftermarket head unit.

500X after market android head unit install and retain reversing camera

This is a result of many hours fiddling about, using multimeters and spare batteries, modifying settings, reading forums and asking questions. Ultimately, very easy to do. I take no responsibility for your outcomes. This worked for me, but...

www.fiatforum.com

 

[Maggiedee]

Replace it with an aftermarket head unit.

500X after market android head unit install and retain reversing camera

This is a result of many hours fiddling about, using multimeters and spare batteries, modifying settings, reading forums and asking questions. Ultimately, very easy to do. I take no responsibility for your outcomes. This worked for me, but...

www.fiatforum.com

Hi my car is 2019 and has the touch screen.. when the radio is on already it turns off for a minute and then comes back on on its own .. if it’s turned off it doesn’t come on by itself

 

[s130]

Hi my car is 2019 and has the touch screen.. when the radio is on already it turns off for a minute and then comes back on on its own .. if it’s turned off it doesn’t come on by itself

I'm not saying this is your case but this can be a symptom over overheating due to poor ventilation.

You can try to test this noting outside/inside temp, turning unit on and timing to shut down and then to power on again.

Do this on a hotter day and a cooler day. If power off occurs sooner on a hotter day and longer on a cooler day then cooling is possibly/probably the issue.

If so then extract unit as far as possible whilst still connected an see if the problem persist or time to power off is increased.

If it were my radio unit and I could confirm that the issue was definitely temperature related then I would be looking at drilling more ventilation holes or possibly top cover removal.

 

[Maggiedee]

I'm not saying this is your case but this can be a symptom over overheating due to poor ventilation.

You can try to test this noting outside/inside temp, turning unit on and timing to shut down and then to power on again.

Do this on a hotter day and a cooler day. If power off occurs sooner on a hotter day and longer on a cooler day then cooling is possibly/probably the issue.

If so then extract unit as far as possible whilst still connected an see if the problem persist or time to power off is increased.

If it were my radio unit and I could confirm that the issue was definitely temperature related then I would be looking at drilling more ventilation holes or possibly top cover removal.

I'm not saying this is your case but this can be a symptom over overheating due to poor ventilation.

You can try to test this noting outside/inside temp, turning unit on and timing to shut down and then to power on again.

Do this on a hotter day and a cooler day. If power off occurs sooner on a hotter day and longer on a cooler day then cooling is possibly/probably the issue.

If so then extract unit as far as possible whilst still connected an see if the problem persist or time to power off is increased.

If it were my radio unit and I could confirm that the issue was definitely temperature related then I would be looking at drilling more ventilation holes or possibly top cover removal.

Actually I have noticed that today as it was warmer than yesterday the radio was switching off sooner than yesterday as it was cold! However I wouldn’t have a clue how to do what you’ve said Any recommendations of a garage or someone who could do please ? Thank you

 

[s130]

Actually I have noticed that today as it was warmer than yesterday the radio was switching off sooner than yesterday as it was cold! However I wouldn’t have a clue how to do what you’ve said Any recommendations of a garage or someone who could do please ? Thank you

Well firstly I would run several tests just to confirm that your issue was most likely temperature related.

After that then you need to extract the the radio / head unit.

Basic instructions are posted here: Replace Head Unit