I realize this is a common issue and many threads date back 10 years. I have read them but would appreciate some updated advice. Anyway, here it goes:

I’ve owned my 03 disco for 2 years without a working radio. Previous owner said “it just stopped working” a couple weeks before I bought it.

Symptoms: It sometimes illuminates with fm 89 and no sound or response from the buttons, and sometimes it’s blank. I have pulled it out and replaced the fuse to no avail. Here’s some photos. Also there’s an xm radio magnet antenna on the rear roof, and somebody has run some subwoofer wires to the trunk...not sure if either is currently hooked up.

Please weigh in on possible solutions:
1) eBay replacement, rolling the dice
2) modern replacement from crutch field
3) figure out a way to fix it??
4) pay big bucks for an audio specialist

Also, anybody know what this blue wire is for in the pic?

And, I realize all the colorful wires are to the speakers, what are the 2 main black wires exactly?

I appreciate any suggestions...I’m not an audio
guy so forgive my ignorance

 

The two black wires are the radio antennae. One is a mixed AM/FM antenna, and one is FM only. The antennae themselves are embedded in the glass of the windows in the cargo area.
I don't think the blue wire is original, so it could be anything.

I believe I have a spare mid-level radio if you want to try replacing it.