I recently installed a new starter. The first time I started the car, the clock and CD player wouldn't power on. The next time, they both came on when they were supposed to. I had no more issues for two weeks but it randomly did it again. That time, they both came on after a few minutes. What in the world is going on?

 

well my clock has been doing the same thing, make sure all of your fuses are okay and then we can go from there, cuz i had the same problem i wasnt getting power to JVC Double din screeen, so i made a bypass from the cig lighter to the radio red and it works perfect, even turns off when i turn the car off, cuz you go run your Radio power to your fuse box, but cig lighter is teh shortest distance and easiest IMO

 

Ok thanks I'll check that out. I'm sure it's something really weird/simple.

On a side note.... anyone else have an irritating tapping noise behind the dash?

 

After the clock and radio don't work and they start working again, does the clock have the correct time or is it showing 12:00? And the radio, are the station buttons still set or have they lost the settings.

The clock and the radio both have 2 fuses supplying power to them. For the clock, fuse #40 powers the clock to keep the time set and fuse #21 powers the display. The radio uses fuse #62 (under the hood) to hold the station presets and fuse #21 to power the radio.

Fuse #21 is common to both. What could be happening is that a connection on the back of the fuse panel for that fuse is loose or corroded. You would have to unscrew the fuse panel from its mounting in order to look on the backside. You could also put you hand on the back of the fuse panel and try wiggling the wire on the back of fuse #21.

 

Yeah the time is actually correct, and settings on radio the same. I think. I've only had one test of that though since the first time I had just reconnected battery. I really want it to happen again now so I can double check such an obvious thing I didn't think of.

Good question though. I will still check the fuses and fuse wires. Thank you.

 

There is an additional power cable attached to the battery cable end. Remove the nut and bolt holding it on and clean the contact area. I have found that to be the cause of my hard starts too. Haven't had a hard start since cleaning that over a year ago when I replaced my starter.

 

Awesome I'll give it a look. I've been trying to get those connections cleaned up and tightened up lately anyways. My last positive terminal didn't want to tighten on the battery. I did sand one of the connections but I know it could use some more work.

I have had hard start problems since I've owned the car for 3+ years. Sometimes it starts right up, other times it doesn't feel like it.

 

I had the same problem with my radio and clock working randomly. Next time you start the car and the clock is not working, try pulling the key back. Just a little, not enough to turn the car off. If this works, you will need replace the electric switch.

 

^Maxtrax I believe this is the issue. It's doing it again today unless I turn it bacl to ACC. I broke my ignition switch during the whole starter swap and replaced it. I think the replacement is faulty. Gonna swap it out again.

 

My 96 is doing the same. but after i switched out decks the radio or clock just wont turn on, and for some reason my keyless entry also stopped working. Fuses keep blowing out every time i change them. HELP!!

 

Check out that ignition switch man. It was def. the root of my problem. Try turning the key back just a hair when it's on.