GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 1999 🢒 Cavalier 🢒 Body and Accessories 🢒 Wiring Systems 🢒 Diagnostic System Check - Radio/Audio System

Notice: This vehicle is equipped with a mini-barbless antenna. No other type of antenna should be used without an appropriate adapter or radio damage, poor or no reception may result.

In order to diagnose the radio/audio system, complete the following steps:

  1. Disconnect the antenna lead-in at the back of the radio.
  2. Plug a test antenna into the radio.
  3. Ground the test antenna to the vehicle chassis.
  4. Do not touch the test antenna.
  5. Test the reception in an area away from the following electrical interferences:
    6. • Tall buildings
    • Metal structures
    • Power lines
    • Fluorescent lighting
    • Power tools
  6. Tune to the radio on both the high and the low frequencies on both the AM and the FM bands.
  7. Listen for the following types of station reception:
    8. • Weak reception
    • Strong reception
  8. If the reception is good, then the antenna or the lead-in cable is damaged.

Tape Clean Indicator System

The tape clean system indicates the need for routine maintenance on the tape player. CLN will display when the radio meets all of the following criteria:

    • The total elapsed time since the last player maintenance exceeds 50 hours.
    • The tape is inserted or play is initialized.
    • The radio power is ON.
    • The ignition is ON.

If the radio meets the above criteria, the following actions will occur:

    • CLN will display for 5 seconds.
    • The tape icon will flash.

After 5 seconds, the following actions will occur:

    • The time of day (TOD) will display.
    • The tape icon will stop flashing.

The CLN display will not effect tape or radio operations. You may cancel the CLN display by activating any control except for volume. If you cancel the CLN display, the following items will activate:

    • The appropriate display
    • The next selected operation

Important: If the clean indication initiates during the radio monitor mode, the display will indicate CLN when one of the following events occur:

   • Play initiates
   • The tape inserts
   • The ignition cycles

Press the radio EJECT button for 5 seconds in order to perform the following functions:

    • Clear the display status
    • Reset the elapsed time

At the end of 5 seconds, the display will indicate a dash "--" for 3 seconds. Then the display will return to the default display. The EJECT function performs the following actions:

    • Clears the display status
    • Overrides all current tape operating modes
    • Ejects the tape, if loaded

Diagnostic Taper Error Indicator

The following error codes may display on the radio:

E10: The cassette tape is tight.

E11: The cassette tape is broken.

E13: There is a communication problem.

If the cassette unit detects a tape playback error either during or after the initialization of the tape, the cassette unit will first try to work around the error. If the cassette unit cannot work around the error, the following actions will occur:

  1. The tape will eject.
  2. The cassette unit will switch to tuner mode.
  3. The tuner will play the last band selected.
  4. The appropriate error code will display.
  5. The frequency will display for 5 seconds.
  6. The TOD will display.