Is it possible to kill a car's radio just by jump starting it?

[MrBond]

Had some problems with my car for about the past month (alternator went out, replaced it, let the car sit all last week, the battery died on me). I tried to jump start it to drive out and get a battery for it, but I couldn't get a good enough connection for some reason, and the car wouldn't turn over. I borrowed a car, got a new battery, and replaced it. Started up the car, popped the face plate back onto the head unit, and nothing. No readout on the panel, no sound, nothing. I checked the fuse, and it's not blown. It's on the same relay as the cruise control, and that works fine.

What are the odds I killed my head unit? I really hope I don't have to replace it, as it's a huge pain in the ass to pull it out.

 

[Viper GTS]

It's definitely possible, ideally you should disconnect stereo equipment when jump starting.

Viper GTS

 

[pillage2001]

You prolly had a security lock on the radio. try looking over the manual for any kind of way to unlock it.

 

[MrBond]

Oh lord, I'm an idiot. Right in the manual:

"Before operating the radio for the first time after replacing the car battery, the unit must be reset via the reset button"

I guess if I had the FM with me at school when it stopped working on my, I could have RTFM and figured it out myself

Thanks guys!

 

[hopeless879]

I fried something in my stereo when I jumped my car. When i turned it on the first time, it kept flashing and outputing weird text. Turned it off then back on again, seemed to work alright. Then i noticed the clock didnt work, I cant preset radio stations anymore, and the preset audio values dont work anymore.

 

[TapTap]

Same here. I jumped the neighbors car and my set started static noises that lasted a couple days then the CD went. A couple days after that 'POOF' no more Alpine.