Audio System: Notes

The PCI bus inputs into the radio are used for VF dimming and for radio diagnosis with the DRBIII®. The radio is capable of displaying faults and allowing certain actuation tests through the use of the DRBIII®. When attempting to perform PCI bus diagnostics, the first step is to identify the radio in use in the vehicle.

When trouble shooting output shorts or "output" error messages, the following applies:

On radios without an external amplifier, the term output refers to the path between the radio and the speaker. This type of circuit can be monitored all the way through the speaker connections by the radio assembly. When the radio displays a shorted output DTC with this type of system, the speaker, radio, or wiring could be at fault.

On radios with an external amplifier, the term "output" refers to the circuit between the radio connector and the amplifier. The radio is capable of monitoring only this portion and can tell nothing about the circuit between the amplifier and the speakers. Consequently, a shorted output DTC on this type of system would only refer to this circuit. A faulty speaker could not cause this DTC.