No radio button lights on my new used 2006 M5

[rkhanso]

I just purchased a used 2006 Mazda 5 a couple weeks ago. I noticed that there are no lights in the buttons for the radio and at night, it's impossible to see what buttons are what. I'm sure there are lights in there that just aren't working, but there isn't a Mazda dealer real close to me and I haven't 'test drove' another car to make sure.

Has anyone had this problem, or know where to look for trouble?

 

[flcruising]

Buttons only? You have a bulb out (hopefully), and will have to remove the radio to change them out.

 

[icspots]

If it's anything like the 3 then you likely have LEDs behind every single button, not just "a bulb"

Yes the buttons should all light up. Could be a fuse issue I guess, though I can't imagine what would make just the button not light up and nothing else. Could be the stereo itself. You might try finding another Mz5 around that you can swap the stereos with a known good one, that way you can rule out the stereo or the car as the culprit.

 

[flcruising]

There is no separate fuse for the radio buttons, therefore, the radio will have to be removed to investigate. If the buttons are LED backlit, then you probably have some circuit tracing to do.

 

[rkhanso]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I will take out the radio and check it out. I am somewhat electronically inclined and can do basic circuit tracing.

But....I did notice how crappy the radio really is and was considering putting in an aftermarket radio. If I do put one in, what happens to the green display that shows the CD/Radio information (along with climate control info)? Does the radio portion of it just not display anything if I put an aftermarket radio in?

I was thinking about THIS RADIO as a replacement since I can change the lights on it to green to match the rest of the dash. Or maybe THIS ONE.

But, before going ahead and replacing the radio, I'll check out the lights.

 

[bootman]

The climate control info stays along with the time. Just the radio station display stays blank.

 

[flcruising]

There are adapters you can buy to keep your steering wheels controls, but like bootman said, not for the radio. It would be a duplicate of the new HU anyways.