2015 Radio Display Blank

Yeah, the dealer I tried initially claimed it was a quick 15 minute job, turned out to not be the case. I'm sure all the dealerships have the right tool, I suspect it's a matter of if the smart tech guy is working that day or not.

Swapping the radio over to a used unit isn't too hard, and if the radio was the defective part, you'll see the startup screen, and then a "LOCKED" message. The backup camera will work even though the radio is in "LOCKED" mode. But at least at that point it's pretty obvious that the radio was the issue. If you do buy a used radio off ebay, try to get as close a match as possible. Definitely try to get the exact same part number, but more than that, try to get it from a vehicle as close to yours as possible to account for any programming differences.

If you go onto https://www.gmpartsgiant.com and enter your VIN number, then search for Radio, it should show you the exact part number matching radio for your vehicle. Then search for that part number on ebay. Used Nav radios seem to go for around $200 on ebay. Non-nav radios seem to be under $100.

Removing the radio is pretty easy.

This document shows it pretty well, with some corrections. You need steps 1-7.
http://www.metraonline.com/files/products/INST99-3307G_web.pdf

If your LCD screen does not have a "pocket" above it, as the instructions state, just pry up the edges to get the cover to pop out. BUT, in my model (and I think in most), there are 2 plastic straps that'll keep the panel from coming completely out. I'm not sure you actually need to remove those straps from the dash, but if you do, they need to rotate 90 degrees to get them to come out. It's one of the most annoying parts of the disassembly. Might just be able to leave the straps in place, since I think after unsnapping the cover, the radio control panel should be able to pop out even with the cover still strapped in.

I did not have to remove the side vents as shown in the instruction sheet.

Prying off the side covers as shown in step 4 was a pain in the butt. The snap connectors that hold those panels are oriented so that you remove the panels by pulling them toward the rear of the vehicle. It took some fighting.

Then pulling the cubby/pocket under the controls is also a bit of a fight because its a very tight fit.

I'd strongly suggest getting a set of these tools, they are plastic, and will cause less damage to the pieces you are prying on trying to remove the panels.
https://www.harborfreight.com/trim-and-molding-tool-set-5-pc-64126.html

If you don't have a harbor freight nearby, you can get a similar set at Orielly / Advanced / Autozone.

2015 Equinox Radio - 89,000 miles radio died, lower Console buttons work AC . NO Radio, NO Screen, No MYLINK. Wife went to work all was fine...when she got out of work Nothing.

Spent all night pulling fuses and checking, unhooking battery, hitting buttons. NOTHING grrr! Drove 24 hours on vacation with a Bluetooth speaker.

Searched various YouTube videos. Decided it must be radio, looked on GM Part Direct (don't know what happened to these guys use to be excellent to talk to, now they are terrible NO CUSTOMER SERVICE) Think they got bought out won't answer phone or emails ?? Able to get part # for radio with same features.

Called 1FactoryRadio.com, they said sounds like all other radios go out recommended I pull the radio to get acutal part #, good thing part number was totally different. Looked on ebay, no matching part #s came up.

Ordered radio, Received radio, Installed radio NOTHING, No MYLINK, NO Camera, No Locked Notice.

Rechecked fuses, look good... could the center console go bad? Any other power sources to look for other than fuses passenger side?

At a loss, was going to put original radio back in and take to Dealer - Bozarth Park Meadows, however, DenverGP scares me potential same BS I've had from dealers in past cranking up bills and doing mediocre work.

I wasn't able to find a good schematic / diagram that showed all the parts involved in the system. My guess was that it had to be either radio, display, or control panel. It's possible there is another hidden box in there somewhere that could do it as well. The Body Control Module is involved in some ways, I suspect it's responsible for controlling the power, since it keeps power to the radio even after the ignition is turned off, shutting off the radio once the drivers door opens.

I just figured if it was the display, I'd be able to fiddle with the controls and get some kind of audio output without being able to see the display. The radio seemed like the most likely candidate. I did see the display and control panels on ebay, fairly cheap compared to the price of the radio, but I wouldn't just randomly order parts hoping to find the bad one.


Are you 100% sure you got all the connectors re-connected correctly? Especially the large multi-pin connector, it needs to get plugged in and then the locking bar pushed down. Is the replacement radio an exact part number match? What about the other info on the radio labels? (it shows hardware version, software version, etc).

Fuses I could find that were related, or could be related:
Instrument fuse panel, #5 Infotainment (I don't think this fuse was present in mine)
Instrument fuse panel, #9 Radio
Instrument fuse panel, #15 Display


And make sure you are checking the fuses with a meter, not just eyeballing them. I've seen plenty of blown fuses that looked intact.

Have you tried removing your negative battery terminal and leaving it for a bit (I think about 30 min should be more than enough)?

Ultimately, if all fuses/connections are good, and replacing the radio didn't solve anything, I think the dealership is probably the best bet. I'd talk to the service manager, ask what the basic diag would cost, and tell them up front not to do any additional work until after getting your approval.

Also, I did lots of electronics / computer repair work over the years. I constantly had to remind myself that just because a part is new doesn't mean it's good.... there is always a chance the replacement radio was dead on arrival. Would be crappy luck, but you were already on the wrong side of statistics since most equinoxs never have an issue with their radio.