How can I get it to display the clock only when off?

PDF]FM/AM Clock Radio - Sony

https://docs.sony.com/release/ICFC218_US.pdf Sony CorporationVarious types of alarms - radio and buzzer. Automatic time set - When you plug theclock in for the first time, the current time will be shown in the display.

[PDF]Jumbo Display AM/FM Clock Radio - TIMEX Audio

Setting the Clock (H-clock symbol, O-pwr symbol, f-music note symbol)
Without Date Display
AM/FM Base Radio with a Single CD Player
This type of radio has a
H
button for setting the time.
You can set the time by following these steps:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN. Press the
O
knob, located in the
center of the radio, to turn the radio on.
2. Press the
H
button until the hour begins flashing
on the display. Press the button a second time and
the minute begins flashing on the display.
3. While either the hour or the minute numbers are
flashing, turn the
f
knob, located on the upper
right side of the radio, clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the time.
4. Press the
H
button again until the clock display
stops flashing to set the currently displayed time;
otherwise, the flashing stops after five seconds and
the current time displayed is automatically set.
To change the time default setting from 12 hour to
24 hour, press the
H
button and then the pushbutton
located under the forward arrow label. Once the
time 12H and 24H are displayed, press the pushbutton
located under the desired option to select the default.
Press the
H
button again to apply the selected default,
or let the screen time out

Yes...within a range. The display will automatically lighten and darken depending on the amount of light in the room. During the day or when there are bright lights in the room, the display will go to full brightness. When the lights go off or the room is otherwise darkened, the display will shift down to a lower brightness. You can make the "lower brightness" a bit brighter by holding down the CLOCK SET button and pressing the 'volume up' button.

If the radio works, but the display doesn't the bulb is burned out, I think removing the radio is necessary to replace it. I would see it as an excellent opportunity to upgrade sound systems and go with an aftermarket unit that will interface with your Ipod.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gregg_78ecbb34e27be215

Setting the clock:
1.Press and hold the Band Button (on the left of radio)and the Clock setting button (button No:4 on the right) to display the clock.
2.Press and hold the Band button and the Clock Setting button again for 2 seconds or longer for the clock display adjustment.
3.Press the SEEK UP Button (on the right of the radio with the arrows) to set minute.
4.Press the SEEK DOWN button to set hour.
5.Press the Band button to confirm the clock setting.

Thanks for using FixYa - a 4 THUMBS rating is appreciated for answering your FREE question.

Check your fuse more then likely it blew. Car radio Clock and Cigarette lighter all connected to the same fuse.

1.
Press and hold SEL (select) for more
than 2 seconds.
“CLOCK H,” “CLOCK M,” “SCM LINK,” or
“LEVEL” appears on the display.

2.
Set the hour.
1 Using the << / >> button, select “CLOCK H” (hour) or "CLOCK M"
Use the + / - button to adjust the hour/minute

3.
Press SEL to finish.

4.
To check the current clock time or change the
display mode
Press DISP (display)
repeatedly

During tuner operation it will show the frequency or time.

During CD playback it will show elapsed time or time.

Follow this link to download the manual for your unit in .PDF form

TRY........with radio on and set on "AM", hold "Clock" button about 7 seconds and let up - bringing a setup menu. Using tuning knob,scroll to "Hardware". Press tuning knob in, bringing up contrast menu. Press tuning knob in, bringing up "contrast level". Turn tuning knob counter-clockwise to "00". Brightness, dimming level should be "170". Turn radio off to exit, then adjust "Dim" button to your liking.

Here you can download user manual in pdf format
From page 107 on Manual:

"Clock operation:

The clock is on in the display regardless of
what mode, media, or function the radio is in
as long as the ignition is in ACC or ON.
Clock set
To adjust the clock, press the knob
for longer than 1.5 seconds. A beep signals
entry into the clock adjustment mode and
CL appears in the display. The hours will be
blinking. Rotate the knob to adjust
the hours to the desired level.
Press the knob a second time and
the minutes will start to blink. Rotate the
knob to adjust the minutes to the
desired level.
After 10 seconds, the radio or CD display
will reappear. Once the clock is set to the
desired level, press the knob repeatedly
until the radio or CD display reappears."

Mdaly, Automotive radio is not really my fortay but this problem is fairly simple so here goes: 1. Press and hold the BND button and then press the DISP button to display the clock. 2. Press and hold the BND button and then press the DISP button for a couple seconds or longer to put it in set mode. 3. Press the search up button to set the current minute 4. Press the search down button to set the current hour 5. when finished press the BND button again and the clock is set... If you would like the manual you can email me privately and I'll be glad to send it... [email protected] Bill