I've searched through a few stereo threads, but issues like this can be so specific that it really makes sense to make a thread of my own.

At first, the stereo fuse just kept blowing every time I turned on the car. I fixed that by disconnecting the cigarette lighter because the metal was bent up and shorting itself out. Now, the stereo will only play for about half a minute before cutting out. It doesn't matter if I'm driving, whether or not the car is on, what I'm played (FM, AM, or CD), or anything. It's in all of the speakers at the same time, and I've checked the connection on the back of the radio. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this and can shed some light on my issue. If it's definitely a bad unit and needs replaced, say that too. I just want to know before I throw money at the problem.

 

I would go and carefully inspect the wiring near the radio and the cigarette lighter.

It is hard to say if the problem is the wiring or the radio without some testing using a volt meter or a test light.