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Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999-2004: Stereo/Speaker Diagnostic Guide

Have the speakers in your Jeep Grand Cherokee stopped working, or are they playing static instead of your favorite tunes? Check out our diagnostic and get those speakers sounding good again.

By Brett Foote - September 25, 2015

This article applies to the Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ (1999-2004).

Blown speakers, speakers gone mono, or total silence when trying to crank your favorite tunes; all of these things are awful. If you're living that nightmare right now, then take solace, as you've come to the right place for a bit of electrical troubleshooting. Stereos that have gone non-op are usually caused by one of the few common issues. Fortunately, most of these are quick fixes and can be remedied with minor expense. Let's get to it and fix your busted stereo.

Materials Needed

  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Stereo removal tool
  • Wire crimps
  • Crimp tool
  • Digital multimeter

Step 1 – Check your power antenna lead

The factory Infiniti stereo system is turned on by the power antenna lead.

If your Jeep has the factory Infiniti sound system, the power antenna lead is turned on by the power antenna lead. A common issue with this system occurs when the radio will turn off the power antenna lead when you switch to other sources, such as CD, which will turn the system off. When people install aftermarket stereos, they often connect the wires improperly, which leads to a stereo that will play music via some sources but not others. To check this, pull the radio out of the dash and ensure that blue or blue/white wire on the radio harness are connected to the same color on the radio's harness. Next, ensure that the factory amp wire is connected to the factory antenna wire.

Figure 1. Base audio system wiring diagram for 2002 to 2004 Jeep Cherokee.

If your wiring is correct, move on to Step 2.

Step 2 – Check your speaker wires and speakers

Time as well as the elements can corrode and damage wiring.

Over time, wires can get corroded and simply fall apart. This is especially true with the wires that pass through the front doors going from the radio to the speakers. Check for damaged wires in your door jambs, cutting out and replacing any sections that might be damaged, or where the protective plastic covering has worn off. Unscrew the speakers that are not working and check the wiring as well as the connectors that attach the wiring to the speaker terminals. If there is corrosion on the connectors, replace them. Use a digital multimeter to check resistance and wire continuity. If you are getting ohms at the speakers but no sound is coming out of them, your speakers are blown.

Figure 2. Check the speaker wiring.

If you are getting resistance from your speakers and they aren't blown, move on to Step 3.

Step 3 – Check your fuses and wiring connectors

A blown fuse or unplugged connector could be causing the issue.

If you have an aftermarket stereo and neither your head unit nor your speakers are working, you might have a blown fuse. The fuse is generally located on the back of the head unit. For a factory stereo, the fuse is located in your fuse box in the kick panel of the truck. There is also a wiring connector underneath the dash and on top of the steering column that can come unplugged. Some have also had their stereo stop working when the ignition switch goes bad. This problem is easy to spot because jiggling the lock inside the lock cylinder will make the power to the stereo go on and off, as will hitting a bump in the road.

Figure 3. Check the fuses to see if any are blown.

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