Bad Head Unit
 

We got a Chevy 3500 with a messed up head unit; it is inable to read a CD all but 1/10th of the time. The truck is also gets a whole bunch of radio static and has a crackly front speaker, both of which could possibly be the head unit.

Are bad head-units common? Anybody know of any quick-and-easy fixes?

Have you tried cleaning it? If it’s just the one speaker the speaker could just be blown. There hasn't been a bunch of bad HUs but that could easily be the problem.

I haven't heard of many bad ones, crackling could be loose antenna

I noticed that all of my head units used to run extremely hot, I had the antenna replaced in the back of the HU and it fixed it.

May or may not be related, if not I agree with the blown speaker.

man do i have a real quick fix for ya....but my kenwood 915 head unit...should fix ya right up