Why won’t my car play music?

No idea why, but my radio just won’t turn on. It was working earlier today! Is there some random button I’m missing? Lol probably something dumb I’m overlooking, right?

Try disconnecting one of the battery cables for a couple of minutes to reset the system. Sometimes these cars have weird glitches where the radio shows it’s on, but you don’t hear any music.

Skyler said:
Try disconnecting one of the battery cables for a couple of minutes to reset the system. Sometimes these cars have weird glitches where the radio shows it’s on, but you don’t hear any music.

I’m really not familiar with car stuff… What’s a battery terminal?

@Denny
It’s one of the cables connected to the car battery under the hood. One is labeled (+) and the other (-). You can unplug either one to reset the system.

@Denny
If you don’t know this stuff, you might be better off taking it to a mechanic before messing it up more.

Try rebooting the Sync system. Hold down the Power button and the forward button for several seconds, and it should restart. It’s annoying they don’t tell new owners about this, considering how glitchy Sync can be.

@Sawyer
I found this out the hard way—had to pull the fuse on a long road trip when my system froze up. :man_facepalming:

@Sawyer
That got the screen back on, but still no sound, and I can’t switch to the radio either.

Denny said:
@Sawyer
That got the screen back on, but still no sound, and I can’t switch to the radio either.

Sometimes it takes a couple of tries. Before I knew the reset trick, I’d have to turn the car off, wait a minute, then start it up again. Hope you get it working!

So basically, Sync is a separate system from the actual radio module. Even if the radio has issues, Sync can keep running just fine.

Tilden said:
So basically, Sync is a separate system from the actual radio module. Even if the radio has issues, Sync can keep running just fine.

Lol, that’s interesting, but how do I get the sound to work again?

@Denny
Probably would need to replace the Sync module if it’s acting up.

I actually miss the old MFT look.

Anyway, pulling the fuse usually resets Sync issues for me.

Tristan said:
I actually miss the old MFT look.

Anyway, pulling the fuse usually resets Sync issues for me.

Same! I like the look of MFT more than the newer Sync 3. But man, I want Sync 3 and Apple CarPlay so badly.

Does it say ‘off’? Have you tried pressing the power button for the radio? Might sound obvious, but sometimes the simple stuff gets missed.

Also, has it been to the shop recently? Mechanics sometimes turn mine off when I go in for an oil change.

@Luca
Yeah, I’ve tried the power button lol. That part I know!

Denny said:
@Luca
Yeah, I’ve tried the power button lol. That part I know!

Had to ask since you didn’t mention it! Have you checked the fuse for the radio yet? After that, it might be time to have a shop take a look.

@Luca
I don’t even know where the fuse box is. I’m really not good with car stuff lol.

Denny said:
@Luca
I don’t even know where the fuse box is. I’m really not good with car stuff lol.

The owner’s manual should have a diagram of the fuse box and show which fuse controls the radio.

Fuses are small plastic pieces with two prongs. When you pull one out and hold it to the light, you should see a metal strip inside. If that strip is broken, the fuse is blown.

@Luca
It randomly turned back on! Lol