How to get the display to light up on car stereo. The radio and CD player work fine. Just can't see anything on the faceplate. Kenwood KDC-716S

Call Kenwood they can give you a code to enter by using the remote

Hi there,

You could try reading my tip on repairing Kenwood faceplates.

How to repair Kenwood Faceplate


Cheers,

You may have a bad flexible cable that goes from the face to the main board.

ok I just found this info online and they say it came from the service manual for that stereo so I hope it helps:

You will need a Kenwood RC-410 remote control. This remote works on KDC-519, KDC-X859, KDC-319, KDC-4019, KDC-MP919, KDC-X759, KDC-419, KDC-X459, KDC-MPV619, KDC-MPV7019, KDC-2022, KDC-2022V, KRC-435, KRC-535 and KDC-X959

To reset the code do the following:

1) Turn on the car.
2) The faceplate rotates out and the CODE - - - - prompt appears.
3) Press >>' and Auto keys simultaneously on the faceplate and hold for 4 seconds. (If the faceplate rotates back into the console push on the upper left top edge of the faceplate and it will flip back around. Press the Eject button and then try it again.)
4) The screen will still say CODE, but the - - - - will disappear! When this happens press the 5 key on the remote twice and it enters a K on the display on the faceplate. Hit the >>' key on the faceplate.
5) Press the 2 key on the remote three times and it enters a C on the display on the faceplate. Hit the >>' key on the faceplate.
6) Press the 2 key on the remote once and it enters an A on the display on the faceplate. Hit the >>' key on the faceplate.
7) Press the 7 key on the remote twice and it enters an R on the display on the faceplate. Hit the >>' key on the faceplate.
8) The radio goes into All Off mode and you are set! Hit the SRC button on the faceplate to select CD, Radio, etc.

Above information source = http://techbybucky.blogspot.com/2008/01/how-to-reset-security-code-on-kenwood.html

Common Kenwood Security Codes
Many Kenwood radios are configured with the same security codes:

KCAR - This seems to be a "backdoor" to some Kenwood models.
3051 - This is the security code which is printed in the manual of many Kenwood models.
1234 - This is a security code commonly chosen by Kenwood owners.
Entering Your Kenwood Security Code
If the car battery fails or is disconnected, the Kenwood will ask for the security code.

The procedure to enter your security code differs on various models of Kenwood car stereos. Here are three of the more common procedures:

Type 1
During the code request mode, while holding the DISP key depressed, press and hold the Volume UP or DOWN key for 3 seconds until the "..." display disappears.
Enter the security code using your Kenwood remote.
Type 2
Press the "Auto" button and "Track up" on the face of radio at the same time until the four dash lines disappear.
Enter the security code using your Kenwood remote.
Type 3: Model# DPX-4020 and DPX-4030
Press and hold the 1 then the 6 preset keys until the display shows the letter 'C'.
Enter the security code using your Kenwood remote.
Entering Letters on your Kenwood Remote
To enter a letter using your Kenwood remote, press a button once for the first letter, twice for the second letter, and three times for the third letter -- then press the Track Up or Next Track key to send the letter.

To send the letter 'A', press the 2 key once and then press the Track Up key. To send the letter 'B', press the 2 key twice and then press the Track up key.

Finally, when you are done entering all of the letters, press and hold the Track Up button for 3 seconds.

The key sequence to enter the security code KCAR is:

5
5
Track Up
2
2
2
Track Up
2
Track Up
7
7
Track Up
Your Kenwood should then enter tuner mode.

A Security Code Bug in some Kenwoods
There is a reported bug in the security code handling of some Kenwood stereos. In models with thie bug, the security code is stored incorrectly. The workaround is to enter the wrong security code.

In models with this bug, you have to decrement the third character of the security code by one. If your security code was 1111, you would enter your security code as 1101. If your security code was 9999, you would enter 9989.

Use a pencil eraser and try to clean the contacts on the back of the faceplate, if that fails it may have a cold solder joint on the inside of the face plate. May need replacement.

FLEX CABLE has been worn out, its thirty bucks and easy to install.

recently bought a kenwood kdc-815 car radio from a swamp met. bought it with no security code need security code

take a pen and press the reset button ...it's a tiny little button next to the button that takes off the faceplate...

I found my Kenwood KDC322 faceplate doing the same thing(cutting out) I cleaned the contact points on this 'ribbon' behind the faceplate by rubbing the discoloration off with a pencil eraser. The lights have not cut out again.