How to not fix a radio programming problem
Thread Starter
Founding Member
Joined: 11-23-2007
Posts: 8,210
From: Texas
How to not fix a radio programming problem
The other day my son was driving the HHR with his Ipod plugged into the PAL and the radio starting cutting out and flipping back and forth between FM and the Ipod.
It's a known problem that a simple reprogram would fix. But instead he let his Irish take over and punched out the radio face plate, completely destroying the display to the point where the radio is now completely dead.
Since it's a Premiere Edition it has a ebony radio which are harder to find than the dark gray. GM retail is $411, I found one for less than $100 on ebay.
Should I:
A) Strangle him? Dispose of the body as necessary?
B) Shake his hand and tell him that's the way all Americans fix electronics?
C) Ground him until High School Graduation day in May 2010?
D) Run over his toes with just the edges of the tires?
E) Smash his beloved Ipod with a hammer while he watches?
F) Buy the radio and make him pay?
It's a known problem that a simple reprogram would fix. But instead he let his Irish take over and punched out the radio face plate, completely destroying the display to the point where the radio is now completely dead.
Since it's a Premiere Edition it has a ebony radio which are harder to find than the dark gray. GM retail is $411, I found one for less than $100 on ebay.
Should I:
A) Strangle him? Dispose of the body as necessary?
B) Shake his hand and tell him that's the way all Americans fix electronics?
C) Ground him until High School Graduation day in May 2010?
D) Run over his toes with just the edges of the tires?
E) Smash his beloved Ipod with a hammer while he watches?
F) Buy the radio and make him pay?
Last edited by ChevyMgr; Apr 10, 2009 at 08:27 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: 08-18-2008
Posts: 508
From: Moved to Camaro 5 forum
The other day my son was driving the HHR with his Ipod plugged into the PAL and the radio starting cutting out and flipping back and forth between FM and the Ipod.
It's a known problem that a simple reprogram would fix. But instead he let his Irish take over and punched out the radio face plate, completely destroying the display to the point where the radio is now completely dead.
Since it's a Premiere Edition it has a ebony radio which are harder to find than the dark gray. GM retail is $411, I found one for less than $100 on ebay.
Should I:
A) Strangle him? Dispose of the body as necessary?
B) Shake his hand and tell him that's the way all Americans fix electronics?
C) Ground him until High School Graduation day in May 2010?
D) Run over his toes with just the edges of the tires?
E) Smash his beloved Ipod with a hammer while he watches?
E) Buy the radio and make him pay?
It's a known problem that a simple reprogram would fix. But instead he let his Irish take over and punched out the radio face plate, completely destroying the display to the point where the radio is now completely dead.
Since it's a Premiere Edition it has a ebony radio which are harder to find than the dark gray. GM retail is $411, I found one for less than $100 on ebay.
Should I:
A) Strangle him? Dispose of the body as necessary?
B) Shake his hand and tell him that's the way all Americans fix electronics?
C) Ground him until High School Graduation day in May 2010?
D) Run over his toes with just the edges of the tires?
E) Smash his beloved Ipod with a hammer while he watches?
E) Buy the radio and make him pay?
Leaning towards A but ...........
My vote is option E or ban him from the ride and make him buy his own for the appreciation value how good he had it driving an HHR rather than a used up Neon beater (todays pinto/chevette).
Senior Member
Joined: 05-26-2008
Posts: 618
From: Westerville, Ohio
My son is in the process of learning to drive now and I feel for you Brad. I expect him to make mistakes but in your case I would wanna do no "A". But of coarse I wouldn't.
If mine son did this then I feel he has to learn to respect the fact I'm letting him use the car and it is not his. That you just can't just loose his cool and destroy the radio. So first he would have to pay for it's replacement and 2nd. I would ground him from using the car for awhile or failing that some other constructive penalty. I try to teach you have to learn from your mistakes and sometimes there are consequences. I hate like heck being the heavy, however sometimes I don't get a choice.
Marc my son and I are headed out now to look for his first ride!
If mine son did this then I feel he has to learn to respect the fact I'm letting him use the car and it is not his. That you just can't just loose his cool and destroy the radio. So first he would have to pay for it's replacement and 2nd. I would ground him from using the car for awhile or failing that some other constructive penalty. I try to teach you have to learn from your mistakes and sometimes there are consequences. I hate like heck being the heavy, however sometimes I don't get a choice.
Marc my son and I are headed out now to look for his first ride!
Senior Member
Joined: 07-13-2006
Posts: 1,567
From: Geneva, FL.
I say E & F but do F first then do E very very slowly by taking it apart! If I would have done that to my Dads car I would never want to touch a car radio again. It was bad when a stone put a chip in his windshield when I was driving it.
Senior Member
Joined: 01-30-2009
Posts: 106
From: Shelton washington
Should I:
A) Strangle him? Dispose of the body as necessary?
B) Shake his hand and tell him that's the way all Americans fix electronics?
C) Ground him until High School Graduation day in May 2010?
D) Run over his toes with just the edges of the tires?
E) Smash his beloved Ipod with a hammer while he watches?
f) Buy the radio and make him pay?
G)All of the above?
A) Strangle him? Dispose of the body as necessary?
B) Shake his hand and tell him that's the way all Americans fix electronics?
C) Ground him until High School Graduation day in May 2010?
D) Run over his toes with just the edges of the tires?
E) Smash his beloved Ipod with a hammer while he watches?
f) Buy the radio and make him pay?
G)All of the above?
Anyhow I would vote "G" but not going in the order listed you should start with "B-Shake his hand and tell him that's the way some* Americans fix electronics" go on to (D-Run over his toes with just the edges of the tires?) if your fast you can move onto (A-Strangle him?) with no problem. A is one step you may want to go easy on you have more for him to enjoy. moving along now move to (F-Buy the radio and make him pay) befor he gets to mad at you finsh it all off with (E & C)
Member
Joined: 02-02-2009
Posts: 59
From: Vancouver, WA
Just explain to the little darling how this has inconvenienced dear old dad, and then let that be the end of it. No just kidding, you had it at F, and throw in Tom's suggestion of bicycle/hoofing/thumbing it for a while. If you really want be generous about it, though, you could buy him a bus pass.
Senior Member
Joined: 09-14-2007
Posts: 3,365
From: SoCAL & Louisville, KY
LOL!!!
You just reminded me of why I never wanted children!
I think F is the best option--but have him pay for the market value of the radio ($400+).
And as your Counselor, a suggestion of some anger management classes.
Dr. @
You just reminded me of why I never wanted children!
I think F is the best option--but have him pay for the market value of the radio ($400+).
And as your Counselor, a suggestion of some anger management classes.
Dr. @