“How to fix a car radio that got wet” involves implementing a few simple steps. Begin by checking if the fuse is blown and replacing it if needed, disconnect the battery, detach and dry the drenched parts using a hair dryer, then reassemble the radio and test it.
We have discussed these steps in detail below. Also present in our guide are signs of a water-damaged radio and how to protect your system from getting wet in the future – so read on!
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How To Repair Your Drenched Car Radio?
To repair your drenched car radio, replace the fuse if it’s blown and disconnect the battery. Next, detach the wet components and dry each using a dry, soft towel or a hair dryer. Now reassemble the radio and test it.
Your auto radio is one of the most essential components of the vehicle. In addition to providing entertainment, the radio offers other conveniences, such as communication and navigation. So, when it doesn’t work, your driving experience is greatly affected.
Water damage on car radios may be the worst problem to deal with. In most cases, replacing the various parts is usually the solution. But we hope yours doesn’t get there, and that with the help of this guide, you’ll be able to fix it. But before we offer our possible solution to “my stereo receiver got wet,” ensure you have these tools:
- Pliers or a wrench
- A clean, dry microfiber cloth/towel
- A hair dryer/blow-dryer
- Fuse puller (you may find one inside the fuse box cover)/a small set of pliers
- Voltmeter
1.Check if the Fuse Is Blown
If water comes into contact with the electronics, it can trigger several issues. The most common car electrical problems after rain are short-circuiting, which can blow a fuse. So, the first thing you must do when your radio gets wet is to examine the fuse.
Check if there’s a visible gap. Other signs of a blown fuse include a dark or metallic smear in the glass. If the fuse is damaged, replace it with a new one. But if it’s intact, put it back and go to step 2 below.
.Disconnect the Battery and Remove the Waterlogged Parts
You must remove the battery before working on the wet radio. Disconnecting the battery will prevent any further damage to your radio. The battery is usually located in the engine bay on most vehicles. Check your owner’s manual for the exact location.
You’ll need a wrench or pliers to loosen the nuts holding the battery’s terminals. You don’t need to remove both terminals. Just pull out the negative terminal. Next, examine the stereo for any signs of flood damage and remove the soaked parts if possible. That may include the wires, speakers, and other components.
If you cannot remove any part of the radio, reconnect the battery and try to run the car’s AC for a while. Hopefully, the heat produced will dry the moisture behind radio screen and other parts. After that, skip to step 5 below.
3.Dry the Wet Parts
Grab the dry, soft cloth and gently dry the wet parts individually. It would be best to detach each component before drying for better drying without causing harm. Alternatively, you can dry the wet radio parts by blowing hot air. A hairdryer is the best tool to help with that.
It would be best if you detached the speakers from their position and gently mop the water out using a soft cloth. Focus on the cone, magnets, and terminals. They are the most sensitive parts; even little water can wreak havoc on them. That’s why many people find that car speakers not working after rain.
You might need to cut some patches from a paper towel to use as patches to cover cracked areas of the speaker’s cone. Use glue to coat the areas around cracks on the bottom and top ends. Also, coat one face of the patches and gently press them over the cracks. Leave your speaker and other components to dry in a well-ventilated spot.
What would you do if the car touch screen got wet? You’ll also need to detach the screen, blow-dry it, and then keep it in a container of rise for at least 24 hours. Rice is an economical and effective way to drain moisture from touchscreens. So, if your Jeep screen got wet, just bury it inside a container of rice to extract the water.
4.Replace the Irreparable Parts
Depending on the extent of the damage, some parts, especially the speakers and wiring harnesses, could be damaged beyond repairs. It would be best if you replaced them. At this point, you’ll have to spend some money. Once you’ve replaced the parts, reassemble the radio.
Before assembling the parts, ensure the car battery is in good condition. You can use a voltmeter to determine if it’s outputting the right voltage (at least 12.4V).
5.Test Your Radio
After reassembling the radio components, you’ll need to test them. So, turn the radio on and see if it works. If it’s working, congratulations, you’ve fixed it. If, unfortunately, not working, you’ll most likely need to buy a new radio or stereo. You can consult a professional for advice before making the bold move.
How To Know if Water Has Damaged Your Auto Radio?
To know if water has damaged your auto radio, watch out for the obvious symptoms, including distorted sound. Water stains on the radio and cracked speaker cones are other tell-tale signs of drench damage. Your radio may also suddenly stop working if it has come in contact with water.
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Distorted or Muffled Sound
When you turn your radio on, you may hear a hissing sound from the speakers. That could be a sign that the speakers came into contact with moisture.
Water damage car speakers quickly because, as mentioned, they are composed of very sensitive parts. You may also realize that the sound coming from the radio sounds muffled, which is another sign of flood damage on the speakers.
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Your Radio Has Water Stains on It
Sometimes your stereo won’t stop working immediately after a water encounter. The damage may be slow but will surely surface when you least expect it. Water stains on your radio clearly indicate damage to your system.
Therefore, when you see water stains on the radio, water has probably entered the system and is slowly damaging some components. Act fast if you want to save it.
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Radio Suddenly Stops Working
There could be many reasons for an auto radio to stop working suddenly. Water is one of them. It could lead to corrosion on the connectors and other components. Water can also wreak havoc on the amplifier, which slows the radio’s performance and causes a sudden stop.
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Speaker Cones Are Cracked
If you notice that your speaker cones are cracked, water likely entered the system without your knowledge. Cracks on the speaker cones are repairable. However, it’s essential to exercise caution to prevent your radio system from water damage.
How To Stop a Car Radio from Flood Damage During a Storm?
To stop a car radio from flood damage during a storm, seal specific areas where water could seep in, including the door seals. Keep the seals clean and repair them if damaged. You can also use an AC vent to dry out moisture and consider installing speaker baffles.
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Take Care of the Seals on Doors
Repair any damaged seals to keep water from your radio system. Also, ensure they are always clean and lubricated. Any dirt on the seal will most likely allow water to enter and cause damage.
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Consider Waterproofing Your Subwoofer
If you have a subwoofer system in your car, waterproofing it with non-porous material will provide an effective layer of protection.
Subwoofers are extremely susceptible to waterlog damage as they are often located on the car’s floor.
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Go for Speaker Baffles
Speaker baffles are foam covers designed to protect speakers from water. Once you affix a baffle on the speaker, it will serve as the first line of defense and repel any dripping water. Baffles can serve you money that you would otherwise spend on speaker replacement.
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Let the AC Do the Trick
Your vehicle’s air conditioner can protect the radio from moisture damage. The ACs do that by regulating your car’s temperature and drying moisture present inside. So, if you’re caught in a storm, turn the AC on and let it do the trick.
Conclusion
In our guide above, we discussed the steps to fix an auto radio that got wet.
Let’s leave you with a summary:
- You can quickly fix a wet car stereo by dismantling and drying it with a dry, soft towel or hair dryer.
- Depending on the extent of the damage, the best solution to a drenched radio would be a replacement.
- Common symptoms of a water-damaged radio include distorted sound, water stains, and sudden stopping.
- One way to prevent your radio from getting wet is to ensure seals on doors are always clean and in good condition.
If your “Jeep radio not working after rain”, you now know what to do. So, put that knowledge into action and see if you can save the gadget before considering a replacement.
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