Radio and Integrated Thin-Film Antenna Troubleshooting,
and Field Service Updates
> FLA COE
> FLB COE
> FLD Conventional
> Business Class
> FLC 112 Conventional

> Century Class Conventional
> Argosy COE
> Cargo
> Columbia

54-148
Freightliner
Service Bulletin

> Coronado
> Business Class M2
> Cascadia
> 108SD/114SD

Description of Revisions: This bulletin replaces the version dated
August 2013. The bulletin title is revised.

General Information
Refer to Table 1 for a list of radio troubleshooting topics in this bulletin.
Radio Diagnostics Troubleshooting
Main Symptom Area
Radio Fadeout, Radios With Built-In Fader
Control
Radio/Electronics Failures
Flashing Theft Deterrent LED
Radio Tuning
"Comm Error"
"No CDX"
"Focus"
"No CD"
Error Messages

"ERR"
"Load"
"Tracking"
"Bad Tape"
"TP Clean"

Poor or Weak Reception
Multiband Antenna Diagnostics
Poor Reception Diagnostics - CB thin-film
Antenna
MP3 feature is not functioning.
J1939 connection is not working.

Action
See "Radio Fadeout, Radios With Built-In Fader Control"
See "Radio/Electronics Failures"
See "Flashing Theft Deterrent LED Disabling"
See "Radio Tunes to Incorrect Frequency"
See Table 2, Error Message Diagnostics: "Comm Error"
See Table 3, Error Message Diagnostics: "No CDX"
See Table 4, Error Message Diagnostics: "Focus"
If this error occurs when there are CDs in the CD changer, replace the CD
changer.
See Table 5, Error Message Diagnostics: "ERR"
Replace radio/CD player.
Check to see if the CD is inserted upside down. If not, replace the radio/CD
player.
Try a known good cassette tape of less than 45 minutes per side. If this
error message persists, replace the radio/cassette player.
Clean the cassette tape deck, then reset the tape player timer to zero using
the instructions in the owners manual.
See Table 6, Poor Reception Diagnostics
See Table 7, Multiband Antenna Diagnostics
See Table 8, thin-film Antenna Diagnostics
Press the band button until the "EX AUDIO" message appears in the
display.
Refer to Service Bulletin 54-226, Radio and J1939 Datalink Wiring for the
Cascadia.

Stereo Does Not Turn On
or

See Table 10 and Table 11, Stereo System Power Diagnostics

Stereo Tuns On, Then Immediately Turns Off
Cassette Tape Player Inoperative
or

See Table 12, Tape Deck Diagnostics

Cassette Tape Player Plays Weak or Slow
No Audio From One or More Speakers

See Table 13, Speaker Diagnostics

Freightliner Service Bulletin, October 2015

Page 1

54-148

Radio and Integrated Thin-Film Antenna Troubleshooting,
and Field Service Updates

Freightliner
Service Bulletin

> FLA COE
> FLB COE
> FLD Conventional
> Business Class
> FLC 112 Conventional

> Century Class Conventional
> Argosy COE
> Cargo
> Columbia

> Coronado
> Business Class M2
> Cascadia
> 108SD/114SD

Radio Diagnostics Troubleshooting
Main Symptom Area
CD Player Skips or Mutes

Action
See Table 14, CD Player Diagnostics

or
CD Player Ejects CD Early
CD Changer Skips or Mutes
or

See Table 15, CD Changer Diagnostics

CD Changer Does Not Eject
or
CD Changer Is Inoperative

Table 1, Radio Diagnostics and Troubleshooting

Using the Correct Tools for Radio Removal
Refer to the following instructions if removal of the radio is required for diagnostics and repair. Failure to use the
correct tools when removing a radio can cause damage to the radio faceplate, which may result in a nonwarranty chargeback.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, apply the parking brakes, shut down the engine, chock the tires, and
disconnect the batteries at the negative terminals.
2. Install the removal tools into the holes in the radio faceplate. See Fig. 1. Push them in until they click.

1

1

08/31/2004

f602176

1. Removal Tools
Fig. 1, Removing the Radio

3. Pull on the removal tools to remove the radio from the dash.
4. With the radio removed from the dash, disconnect the wiring.
5. Remove the tools from the radio by squeezing.

Page 2

Freightliner Service Bulletin, October 2015

Radio and Integrated Thin-Film Antenna Troubleshooting,
and Field Service Updates
> FLA COE
> FLB COE
> FLD Conventional
> Business Class
> FLC 112 Conventional

> Century Class Conventional
> Argosy COE
> Cargo
> Columbia

> Coronado
> Business Class M2
> Cascadia
> 108SD/114SD

54-148
Freightliner
Service Bulletin

6. Install the new radio by first connecting the wiring, then pushing the radio into the dash. It will click on both
sides when fully seated.

NOTE: The removal tools are not needed for installation.
7. Connect the batteries and remove the chocks from the tires.

Delco Radio Diagnostics Troubleshooting
Radio Fadeout, Radios With Built-In Fader Control
If an AM/FM radio designed for use with four speakers is installed in a vehicle with only two speakers, the fader
control, which is intended to fade between front and rear pairs of speakers, will simply fade to silence. This can
also occur if the fader control is accidently set to the rear speakers on a vehicle that is equipped only with front
speakers. Fader control problems can occur in vehicles built since September 1990.
If a truck is experiencing this problem, turn the fader control all the way to the front speakers. If a more
permanent solution is desired, plug in a jumper harness between the radio and the speaker wiring harness. The
jumper harness shunts the fader control, negating its function. This part can be purchased through the direct
ship program from PanaPacific. The part number is PSO PPC9003.

Radio/Electronics Failures
WARNING
Use care when installing aftermarket components. Aftermarket installation of components requiring
drilling, cutting, brazing, soldering, or welding can create metal particles that can cause electrical
shorts. This can cause electrical/electronic component malfunction or create a heat source that can
cause a fire. It is not recommended that any aftermarket installation be performed. Use extreme care
when performing any alteration to capture and remove from the vehicle entirely all metal or other
electrically-conductive material. Failure to do this can result in component malfunction and/or fire,
which could cause personal injury or property damage.
Aftermarket mounting of components requiring drilling or cutting of metal inside of the vehicle can cause
unexpected electronics failures. Failures are caused by fine metal shavings entering unsealed electronic
components through heat ventilation openings. Vibration from vehicle movement can cause the shavings to
move around and cause an intermittent failure before an electronic component fails permanently.
If a customer complains of a radio or electronics failure after installation of an aftermarket component, inspect
the component and the surrounding areas for metal shavings.
Take great care to capture all metal shavings, as even one may be enough to create a short between circuits
on a printed circuit board. If installing aftermarket equipment, carefully cover all electronics including wiring and
connectors or create a barrier around the work to capture all metal shavings. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove
any shavings that may have spilled.

Flashing Theft Deterrent LED Disabling
The flashing theft deterrent LED on the face of the early generation Delco radios may disturb a driver sleeping
in the bunk.
To disable the flashing LED, use the following instructions.
1. With the ignition ON and the radio OFF, press and hold the TM SET button for about two seconds until the
hour digits flash.

Freightliner Service Bulletin, October 2015

Page 3

54-148

Radio and Integrated Thin-Film Antenna Troubleshooting,
and Field Service Updates

Freightliner
Service Bulletin

> FLA COE
> FLB COE
> FLD Conventional
> Business Class
> FLC 112 Conventional

> Century Class Conventional
> Argosy COE
> Cargo
> Columbia

> Coronado
> Business Class M2
> Cascadia
> 108SD/114SD

2. Within five seconds, press and release the Preset #1 button until the display reads FLASHOFF.
3. After five seconds with no activity the display will return to normal.

Radio Tunes to Incorrect Frequency
The symptoms for the radio being set for the wrong country are any of: poor reception wrong frequencies
displayed radio not tuning to known local stations.
1. Turn the key to ACC or IGN.
2. Turn the radio OFF.
3. Press the "SET DSPL" button for about 3 seconds until the hour digit of the clock begins flashing.
4. Press the "BAND" button to select the country that is correct for the region where the truck is operating.
See Fig. 2.
1

MP3

ON/AUDIO
PUSH

SCAN
DM

TMSET
DSPL

USA
ND
BA

+

PSCN
AUTO

RDM

ALA

RM

1
FLDR+

2
FLDR+

3
PAUSE

4
REV

5
FF

6
RPT

TUNE/SEEK

A
A. Once the "SET DSPL" button is pressed for 3 seconds, the "BAND" button is used to set the country code. For
example, USA is correct for Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
1. Set Display Button

07/08/2009

f602351

Fig. 2, Setting the Country Code

5. After several seconds of inactivity, the radio will leave programming mode.

Error Message Diagnostics: "Comm Error"
Step

1

Error Message Diagnostics: "Comm Error"
Test Procedure
Test Result
Disconnect the CD changer
harness from the radio. See
Yes
Go to step 2.
Fig. 16 and Table 16. Measure for
AC voltage at the radio on
connector A pin 30 using a known
good ground. AC voltage will vary
No
Replace the radio.

Action

Is AC voltage detected?

Page 4

Freightliner Service Bulletin, October 2015

Radio and Integrated Thin-Film Antenna Troubleshooting,
and Field Service Updates
> FLA COE
> FLB COE
> FLD Conventional
> Business Class
> FLC 112 Conventional

Step

2

> Century Class Conventional
> Argosy COE
> Cargo
> Columbia

54-148
Freightliner
Service Bulletin

> Coronado
> Business Class M2
> Cascadia
> 108SD/114SD

Error Message Diagnostics: "Comm Error"
Test Procedure
Test Result
Action
Connect the CD changer harness
to the radio and disconnect it from
Yes
Replace the CD player.
the CD changer. See Fig. 16 and
Table 16. Measure for AC voltage
at the CD on connector B pin 14
using a known good ground. AC
voltage will vary.
No
Replace the CD player harness.
Is AC voltage detected?
Table 2, Error Message Diagnostics: "Comm Error"

Error Message Diagnostics: "No CDX"
NOTE: Insure the CD changer harness is properly connected at the radio and the CD changer. See
Fig. 16 and Fig. 17
Step

1

2

Error Message Diagnostics: "No CDX"
Test Procedure
Test Result
With the keyswitch in the
accessory position and the radio
Yes
Go to step 2.
turned on, backprobe radio
connector A, pin 31 (power) and
pin 34 (ground). Is battery voltage
present?
No
Replace the radio.
Is battery voltage present?
Backprobe CB changer connector
B, pin 15 (power) and pin 13
(ground).
Is battery voltage present?

Action

Yes

Replace the CD changer.

No

Repair or replace the CD changer wiring harness for an
open circuit.

Table 3, Error Message Diagnostics: "No CDX"

Error Message Diagnostics: "Focus"
NOTE: Make sure that CDs are being installed properly.
Step
1

2

Error Message Diagnostics: "Focus"
Test Result
Action
Yes
Instruct the driver how to correctly install a CD.
Is the CD upside down in the CD
changer?
No
Go to step 2.
Inserting a cold CD into a warm CD player can cause
condensation to form on the CD. A wet or contaminated CD
Yes
can cause the CD player to malfunction.
Is there moisture or condensation
on the CD?
Go to step 3.
No
Replace the CD player.
Test Procedure

Freightliner Service Bulletin, October 2015

Page 5

54-148

Radio and Integrated Thin-Film Antenna Troubleshooting,
and Field Service Updates

Freightliner
Service Bulletin

Step
3

> FLA COE
> FLB COE
> FLD Conventional
> Business Class
> FLC 112 Conventional

> Century Class Conventional
> Argosy COE
> Cargo
> Columbia

Error Message Diagnostics: "Focus"
Test Result
Yes
No action is required.
Will CDs play normally within one
hour of warming and drying?
No
Replace the CD player.
Test Procedure

> Coronado
> Business Class M2
> Cascadia
> 108SD/114SD

Action

Table 4, Error Message Diagnostics: "Focus"

Error Message Diagnostics: "ERR"
Step

1

Error Message Diagnostics: "ERR"
Test Result
Action
Inserting a cold CD into a warm CD player can cause
Insert a CD that is known to play
condensation to form on the CD. A wet or contaminated CD
properly and that is clean and free
Yes
can cause the CD player to malfunction.
from scratches.
Test Procedure