I recently replaced my stock Jeep XJ AM/FM cassette unit, with an OEM NOS 1993 Chrysler AM/FM/CD player, fresh from the box. I wanted to keep mine stock-ish, I kinda like the understated look of factory head units. The connectors did not match up with my XJ radio connector, but sorting the wiring was not much of a hassle.
Once installed, I immediately noticed that the volume is way off for the radio. Turning the volume **** from zero to halfway, you get nothing. From halfway to full-on, you get sound but probably only half-capacity.
But- with the CD player, the volume seems to be operating just perfectly, nice and loud when it should be. (!?!?)
I also found, that the radio illumination dimmer works opposite to the dashboard dimmer, rather than in-sync with. Dashboard illumination dimmed, radio unit illumination brightens. And vice-versa.
I already double-checked my radio wiring, that all checks out correct. Next step is to try a new relay. Any thoughts or advise please? Thanks, Ron

 

seems like an internal problem with the radio... i think dimmer illumination is simply due to the differences in models of radio.,, check antenna connections. when the volume does work for the fm/am band does it come in clear? and more interestingly where did you find a brand new working 20 year old radio?

 

My first thought was a bad ground.

But you could have gotten ahold of an original NOS warranty returned or defective radio that was never sent back.

It could have one or more bad transistors on the radio side.

 

Yep, I wondered if it was possibly a (poorly-done) factory-refurbished unit from back in the day. I found it on ebay (the seller has great feedback, and had a lot of 3 when I bought mine from him). He also has/had 3 of the OEM factory pullout-style headunits for YJ Wranglers too, at a much higher price. All still in original sealed shipping boxes. Shame, I was really wanting this one to work out.
Other than a couple panel display bulbs out, my original cassette radio worked fine, no weird issues like that on the CD unit. I'm just not too crazy about the current "look" of the modern head-units with all the bells and whistles, makes me feel like I'm in the Cash Cab lol

 

on another note i'm totally with you on the whole appearance thing. but with the affordability of radios these days you can get one that's iphone/android phone ready. HD radio equipped. satellite ready. with amp pre-outs and all sorts of equalizers with custom control of the display colors for under 200$ you can find great units for less than $150 add another 25$ for the installation kit and badda bing badda boom great sound out of a great truck

 

Id give wire crossover a good once over this should help...http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/...eard/Jeep.html

 

I should just buy something at WalMart or Autozone and call it a day, haha. And I will, I do want a CD player in my Jeep. I was waiting for a friend to get off work the other night, when he got in the jeep, I said "Well not much has changed in 25 years.... I'm still cruising around on a Saturday night, listening to a Def Leppard cassette" lol....
To answer your question about the clearness, yes all else seems to be fine, all the presets work, radio reception, etc...

 

That's what I did got a simple Sony X plod work great with all the bells and whistles like 69.99...

 

I did that in my Tundra, but those radios have too many buttons in too little space to control while moving. I reinstalled my factory radio a few days ago. The Sony will go in the camper where I can take the time to adjust all those little buttons or use the remote.

 

If anyone's interested, I've found a source for those tiny bulbs that go in the stock radios of Jeep and Chrysler products.

These bulbs are made by Chicago Miniature Lighting, and are bulb # 7219.

I ordered a 10 pack from Newark Electronics, Newark # 96F5829

These are JUST the bulbs; you'll have to disassemble the stock radio, and gently remove the bulbs from their holders as well as transfer the blue filter from the old bulb to the new one. But at least it can be done.

These look like they are the same bulb used in the LCD backlight. That's a little trickier to replace, as those are soldered directly to the PC board on my son's '94 stock radio.