E36 Radio - doesnt work but make a click

[Copeidge]

Hi guys, hoping you can help. Im using a standard businesses RDS in my e36 323.

When i bought the car the radio didn't work or the cd changer. The radio doesn't light up or make any noises. Ive check all the fuses behind the stereo and under the bonnet and at the connections. Ive since bought a known working stereo and it still doesn't work.

The red light on the face now flashes, but the screen doesn't light up at all. When you click the power knob you can hear a clunk or a click inside the radio - as if its getting power but again nothing lights up or plays.

Hoping someone can shed some light!
Cheers :-)

[MarcoZandrini]

I believe your head unit (the technical term for the radio) gets power from 2 different sources:
- always available
- switched.
Always available power is sent to the head unit regardless of the state of the ignition switch. That is, as long as the battery has a charge the head unit has power. This power is used to retain radio presets. The head unit will not operate with this power alone.
Switched power is sent to the head unit only when the ignition switch is in the accessory, run and perhaps start position. I say “perhaps” as some models cut power to systems such as the head unit when the ignition switch is in the start position so that the starter get the maximum power available.
So, you need to determine if the head unit is getting switched power. Try www.newtis.info.