Should You Go To The Cadillac Dealer Or DIY It?
Do you have a broken radio or touchscreen in your Cadillac? If so, you have two options:
- Bring your car to a Cadillac dealer and have them fix or replace it
- Diagnose the issue and then fix or replace it yourself
The second option - doing it yourself - is much cheaper than the first one. You wouldn't have to pay for labor. But you still need to ask yourself if the DIY route is the better option for you. It depends on a variety of factors.
Is Your Cadillac Still Under Warranty?
New Cadillacs come with either:
- A 4-year, 50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty
- An optional extended limited warranty that's good for 6 years or 70,000 miles
Are you experiencing issues with your car's radio or touchscreen, and is your car still under warranty? You'd be better off bringing it to a Cadillac dealer. If your Cadillac is out of warranty, you would be stuck paying for all the diagnostic, repair, and/or replacement costs. In that case, it may be better to DIY it.
Do You Know What's Wrong With Your Cadillac's Radio Or Touchscreen?
Sometimes the issue can be as simple as the dash light brightness controller being at the dimmest setting. It can make the display appear blank. All you would need to do is turn it up. In a situation like this, it would be a massive waste of money to bring your Cadillac to a dealer.
Whether your radio or touchscreen has a minor problem or is completely dead, you may want to troubleshoot it first. It can't hurt to find out what the issue is before deciding whether to bring your car to a shop or DIY it. Sometimes the issue isn't even the radio or touchscreen. For example, your radio may be perfectly fine, but it's dead because of a blown fuse.
Some of the most common causes of a blank display include:
- Broken light sensor
- Extreme temperatures
- Broken display
Some of the most common reasons your radio isn't producing sound include:
- Weak battery or alternator
- An issue with the antenna
- Broken speakers or amplifiers
- Broken radio
Some of the most common causes of a dead radio include:
- Blown fuse
- An issue with the wiring
- Broken radio
Here's a radio/touchscreen troubleshooting guide for the Cadillac Escalade. You should be able to follow it with another Cadillac model, though.
If you figure out what's wrong with your radio or touchscreen, you'll have a more accurate idea of whether the repair or replacement is a job you can tackle. If you're still stumped, a dealer may be able to figure out the issue for you.
Do You Have The Tools And Knowledge To Fix Or Replace It Yourself?
If you're still wondering whether the DIY route is the right option for you, look for a tutorial you can follow. Be sure to find a model-specific tutorial. Here's an overview of replacing a Cadillac CUE radio.
A Cadillac radio and touchscreen replacement is usually easier than it sounds. It's still a good idea to find out exactly what the job entails before making a decision, though.
ISS Automotive Offers Replacement Radios And Radio & Screen Repair Services
If you decide to go the DIY route, you may get what you need from ISS Automotive. We sell a variety of new replacement radios for Cadillacs. If you need a radio or touchscreen repaired, we can do that too.
Got any questions? Please contact us.