No Sound, No Signal, No Power From Your CUE Radio? Here's What To Do Next.

by Spork Marketing

Is your Cadillac CUE radio completely dead? Is it not producing any sound? Is the display blank? Is it no longer drawing any power? The issue doesn’t necessarily have to lie within the radio. There may be an issue with your fuse or electrical system, for example.

Get to the bottom of this problem with this troubleshooting guide!

See If You Have A Blown Radio Fuse

Blown fuse

If your CUE radio is dead, the first thing you want to check is the radio fuse. It’s the most common reason behind a dead car radio. To identify a blown fuse, all you need to do is grab a flashlight and then look at the radio fuse:

  1. Open the hood
  2. Open the fuse box
  3. Find the radio fuse and then remove it
  4. Shine a light on it and look for any signs of damage, such as:
    1. Soot
    2. Wires that have been burnt through

The damage should be in the middle of the fuse. If you determine that your Cadillac has a blown fuse, replace it. It should fix the issue. There’s always a chance that the fuse will blow again, though. If that happens, there’s a short in the wiring.

Try Doing A Hard Reset

Cue reset

Maybe your CUE radio’s software crashed for some reason. You may be able to fix the issue with a hard reset. It takes only a few minutes, and you don’t need any special tools. All you need to do is:

  1. Open the CUE faceplate
  2. Turn off the vehicle
  3. Leave the driver’s door open for 30-60 seconds
  4. Close the door and then start the car.
  5. Close the CUE faceplate.

It’s a strange reset method but it works. You can find a detailed set of instructions here.

If the hard reset didn’t work, there’s likely an issue with one of your car parts or the radio itself.

Test The Alternator And Battery

Sometimes when the alternator or battery starts to fail, it won’t put out enough voltage for the radio to work. It’s possible for the vehicle to keep running in this situation because the radio needs higher voltage than the engine to work.

Check the voltage of the battery and alternator to see if these parts are starting to fail. Keep in mind that if the battery isn’t producing enough voltage, it may still be fine and the alternator is failing. That’s why you should always check the alternator too.

Check All The Wiring Connected To The Radio

This is the last step to take. Look for any shorts or signs of damage in the wiring. Don’t forget to check the connectors, too. They may be loose or damaged.

If Everything Looks Good, Your Radio May Be Broken

So you’ve ruled out the fuse, battery, alternator, and wiring. The only thing that’s left is the radio. It’s most likely broken. At this point, all you can do is repair or replace the radio.

Replacing Your Radio: OEM CUE Radios Are Better Than Aftermarket Radios

Cadillac cue

A lot of Cadillac owners wonder if it’s a financially wise decision to get an aftermarket replacement radio instead of an OEM one. Aftermarket radios may cost a little less than OEM ones, but they offer less value in the long run. This post explains why an OEM replacement CUE radio or screen is a better investment than an aftermarket one. To sum it up:

  • There are no fitment issues with OE-quality replacement radios and screens.
  • OE-quality replacement radios and screens are built with quality materials.
  • OE-quality replacement radios and screens are compatible with your Cadillac’s electrical system.
  • OE-quality replacement radios and screens are easier to install.

At ISS Automotive, we remanufacture CUE radios and CUE screens with high quality parts. This replacement CUE radio for 2013-2017 Cadillacs is one of our best sellers. If you’d rather get your CUE radio repaired, we can help with that too. Our team of technicians can repair many different kinds of radios and screens, including CUE radios. Check out our catalog of radio & screen repair services.

Please contact us if you have any questions about replacing or repairing your CUE radio. We’re always happy to help!

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