My household's 2004 Mazda B2300 pickup truck currently has a Sony CDX-GT210 radio installed in the dash. Unfortunately, when I touch the far left side of the radio to, say, change the station, the radio loses power. This happens no matter what removable faceplate I use. What could be the reason why this happens? Could it be a wiring issue? For the record, the radio in question is currently associated with a Metra 99-5804 dash kit. The Sony CDX-GT210 was already installed in the Mazda truck when my father purchased the vehicle in late 2009, but it's my understanding that it's not the original factory radio.
pull the stereo out. Check the connection on the back.
Try to replicate the issue ... touch the side or whatever... while it's out.
If it still does it then the stereo is bad.
I've checked the radio. It seems to me that it's a connection issue instead of a head-unit issue. A tech-support guy at Metra suggested that I consider getting a new wiring harness on the grounds that it's the cheapest option. MountainManJoe, are you of the opinion that I'd be better off buying a whole new car/truck radio anyway? After all, one can often buy such a radio for less than $50 these days.
well if the problem is your wiring, then a new stereo won't fix that, will it.
Well, MountainManJoe, I have a feeling that the wiring pigtail that's currently attached to the head unit is defective.
https://www.lifewire.com/aftermarket-car-stereo-wire-colors-534703
try replacing the harness then