Hi i am new new to this forum so bear with me lol.
i have a 96 ford ranger and i have an after market stereo in the truck. the stereo has worked perfectly until a few days ago when i was messing with the radio, now when i try to use the radio or play music through my aux cord it only comes in clear to about volume 9 then when you try to turn it up any higher it gets all crackly and static. the speakers are brand new so i know there not blown. please help.
thank you.

 

If FM Radio sounds OK when you turn it up then get a new AUX cord.

just FYI "volume 9" doesn't really mean anything unless you include the max number.
I.E.
volume 9 is when it starts getting crackly, max volume is 10,

 

the same thing happens with the fm radio. and it starts when the volume is half way turned up

 

Try selecting the AUX input but with nothing hooked up and then turn up the volume.
Do that with engine off and then engine running.
Also lights off and then on.

If you get the noise without audio input then issue is in the amplifier section
If noise only happens with input then issue is in the pre-amp section

"Messing with the radio" means..........what?

Pushing buttons?
Pulled it out and put it back in?

Look up the model number and get the manual, see if there is a "reset to factory" default.

1996 had two stereo options, radio with built-in amplifier or radio with separate amplifier.
Look in engine fuse box for a "JBL" fuse, probably Fuse #1, but not sure they used that in '96, that fuse is for the separate amplifier.
You need to know which one you had from the factory to know where to look for problems with new unit