I have a 2006 Cobalt LT coupe and within the last week, the radio and speakers have gone very haywire along with the radio controls not working on both the steering wheel and the radio itself.

when the radio is on, every few seconds you hear a pulse where the radio dims, and the radio controls are not working properly from the steering wheel or the radio itself.

the left front speaker has never worked consistantly, as it will come on and off in a very arbitrary fasion.

This last week, my car sat without being started for two days. when i went to start it, the battery was dead and i needed a jumpstart to get going. I know this is what the issue is, but i cannot point to a singular sentinal event that happened to the car to help me start looking for this. i have taken the door panel off and verified that the wiring to the speaker seems sound.

The only thing i have done recently to the car is replace the right rear taillight bulb, but that was a plug and play operation and it has not burned out again. I have taken the bulb out and the problem persists.

the only clues i have to start looking are the steering wheel buttons seem hotter than they should be, and the radio is not working like it should(advance buttons dont work all the time, and setting the clock is a challenge as it wont stay on the blinking mode to set very long at all). the controls don't work, and as i listen to AM radio often to sportstalk, I can hear the surge that something is drawing off the battery every few seconds.

I have read about a preamp in these cars for the radio, but dont have any clue where that is.

Has anyone had any experience with an issue similar to this that could provide me information on potential causes or where to look to repair?

My next course of action was to pull the radio out and check connections and such on the back, as the speaker doesn't work, and things seem to be manifesting in the radio performance.
I'd appreciate anyone's insight into potential causes.

 

I Would suspect the radio as being the problem,Pull it out and leave it out for a few days and see if the battery still goes dead.
Also check the fuse for the radio to make sure it is seated properly.(RDO fuse #23 passangerside fuse panel or BCM)

When you have the radio out feel inside the dash for anything that might of penetrated the wires and short them to ground.ie.sharp edges ,scew points etc.
Maybe even wiggle them around to dislodge them if something is sticking into one if the wires.

Heres something I found for inoperative steering wheel controls

There are two locations for wiring concerns:

First check for a STG in circuit # 1539 (PNK) wire behind the radio. This circuit has reportedly been shorted on the radio mounting bracket, and just below the radio bracket almost to the BCM mounting location.
Note: For ease of locating this STG remove the radio, HVAC control head, and the upper console trim panels and inspect for wiring/brace contact.

Second check for a STG in circuit # 339 (PNK) wire behind the drivers side air bag.

 

ive been having a problem with my front speakers as well, no sound at all now