Radio illumination problem

[Rodville]

My wife took my new PT to show her grandmother and on the way home she said the radio went blank. It was still playing but no lights. When she got home I took it for a spin and it was working. Awhile into the drive the lights went out. At the next light I turned the wheel lock to lock it came back on for awhile but it started going out more and more. I was getting frustrated and gave the air bag a swift whack and it came back on. The next time it went out smacked the air bag again and back on it came.


What could be causing the steering wheel to affect the radio lights?

[CREWZIN]

I'm not sure, but one thing I am sure of is that I wouldn't keep beating on the air bag. If that thing ever goes off you'll be in for a shock.

Someone once said that a lot of the wires are routed down the steering column so maybe when you hit the air bag your shaking a wire that has something to do with the radio.

[Hooligan]

Take it back to the dealer IF it is new. It now is their problem, I know that they are closed probably Monday, but get it in there as soon as possible.

[Rodville]

It's not "new" new. It's a 2003 with 73334 miles on it. I got it from a smaller dealer in the area. Not a Chrysler dealer. But I will go Tuesday and ask them about it.

[Rodville]

I was thinking maybe the clockspring? How hard are those to change?

[CREWZIN]

I did a search on the PT clock spring and none of the responses had anything to do with the radio illumination. Where'd you come up with that?

[Rodville]

Well there is an open recall on my Grand Voyager for the clock spring and it causes lots of electrical problems. So my logic same company same problem. But I guess not.