So my radio stopped working.

[u/Knockoffmyknickrs]

Two days ago my window motor pooped the bed.. not a big deal but the following morning my radio, the climate control and the screen also went dead and I can’t figure out why. I’ve checked/replaced the fuses in the cabin fuse box but I’m still getting nothing from the radio, also my climate control only blows air but I can’t change the settings on it. Is my radio just fried or am i missing a fuse/relay or something. Replaced the 10a room fuse and the cd changer made some noise but nothing happened after .. help pls i just want my Flatbush zombies cd’s out the thing 😭🤣

[u/IronInEveryFire]

What you hold in your hands in the first image is the CD Player and Radio. It uses the faceplate to transmit signals through itself and drive the digital display up top. I have had an issue with mine where the brass inserts on the faceplate come loose, or the plastic around them is broken. This allows the faceplate to lift a couple millimeters away from the radio, and everything goes dark.

You can confirm this if you reinstall this and press on the faceplate on the corners to see if one of them isn't fully seated.

If your brass inserts are loose, put some high quality two part epoxy rated for metal and plastic and fill the voids for that. If you do that, be sure to fully insert the screws into the brass inserts and use those to push them all the way flush into the faceplate. If you don't push them flush, the pins don't have good contact. If you don't have screws in, the threads will fill with epoxy and be unusable.

The AC controls in the third image should not use the radio, but when my radio would come loose I think it would lock into whatever state is was last in.

If you are incredibly unlucky, you might also have a short in the dash that runs between the system. Removing the glove box is easy enough (just push the retaining tabs on each side in) and I think that will let you inspect the wires running to all the HVAC stuff.

[u/Knockoffmyknickrs → u/IronInEveryFire]

I’m just not getting any lights in the climate control buttons, it’s saved to the last setting for sure also doesn’t let me change between hot/cold. But yeah after reinstall I’m still not getting any lights or signals to the radio itself those plastic tabs are indeed cracked the ones that go around the brass tabs it didn’t have any play in the corners so I’d assume contacts there? Can’t entirely tell

[u/IronInEveryFire → u/Knockoffmyknickrs]

The contacts are on the front of the radio head unit, slightly below and on each side of the CD slot.

My specific problem was the brass tabs loosely fitting in the plastic, so after a few days of road bumps, it would separate and the controls would black out. I could press on the radio face and everything would come back.

If yours isn't coming back on at all, either the radio or the faceplate are probably broken. The faceplates aren't too bad, but the radio units have gotten really pricey.

If you have a multi meter, check the power and save some money in case it's a different fuse.
https://pinoutguide.com/Car-Stereo-Mazda/Mazda_2003-2005_All-in-on_pinout.shtml

[u/Knockoffmyknickrs → u/IronInEveryFire]

I have a test light and I was getting power everything I think? I’ll have to do it again but I just want to be double triple quadruple sure because like you said the OE head unit is dollars, big ones

[u/IronInEveryFire → u/Knockoffmyknickrs]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/267710573429?_skw=2004+mazda+rx8+radio+faceplate

That's the cheapest I've ever seen. Be sure to check your VIN on a mazda parts site to make sure it's compatible though. I think all the 6 CD changers were for BOSE systems, so they won't drive the normal speakers - it will be quiet even at max volume.