Just finished tracking down the problem of no panel backlight (but LCD and red preset backlight OK) on the factory AJ9500 alpine radio. Thought I’d share in case anyone else has this problem.

Once you get it apart (there are other posts on this forum describing this) look for these two 15 ohm SMD resistors in the photo below. They are located on the underside of the main board so you have to remove the back heat sink plate, the tape deck, and the four tabs have to be bent straight to lift the main board out of the case. The resistors are in parallel and should read 7.5 ohms side to side. Mine had one blown and I was reading 15 ohms across each one which is wrong. I think some versions of this radio has a single through hole 7.5 resistor on the top side instead. So check that if you have that version. I didn’t have SMD of the same size, so I used these in the photo. It does make the main board not sit level on the case but it still went back together ok. Probably would be best to order the right SMD sized before doing this so you don’t have this problem.

 

I have sent 3 of my radios off for this repair. Now I think I'll tackle the fourth on my own. Good info, thanks.

 

The older version has a single 7.5 ohm through hole type resistor just below where the red circle is(this one is newer style). Whichever style you have, I’d suggest either using two 15 ohm 1 watt resistors in parallel or one 2 watt or more 7.5 ohm as this resistor obviously gets abused.