Car Stereos: dodge dakota stereo, hairline cracks, dodge dakota

Question
Hello. I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota quadcab.  For the last year or so my stereo has been acting up.  Usually after sitting all night, when I start the truck the stereo will come on.  If I drive for one block or for one hour, and turn the truck off, when I restart it the radio won't come on.  Randomly throughout the day it will come on, but only when I turn the key to start the truck.  It will never all of a sudden just come back on while I have the motor running.  Also, if I go to turn up the stereo for a good song, sometimes it will just shut off and I cannot get any sound for who knows how long.  Do I need a new stereo?  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Dave,

You almost certainly need a new stereo.  It sounds like it has some hairline cracks in a solder joint in the circuitry that the boost of the truck starting helps it overcome occasionally.  And then when it gets hot, you turn it up, and it breaks again.

I would test your wiring with a multimeter before paying for a new stereo though, just to be sure.

Justin