Am/Fm Stereo Radio Problems

redvettemike · June 23rd, 2009, 06:58 PM

The original radio in my '71 442 works sometimes but most times not. It comes on but then goes off. It likely has never been serviced. Can such a radio be rebuilt? If so, who is the best folks for doing so. the radio sounds great when it does play. i want to keep the original look. thanks,
Mike

texasred · June 26th, 2009, 09:26 AM

I'd start with just pulling it out and having a go at the connectors with contact cleaner and making sure the plugs fit straight and all terminals make good connection. Cost ya $5 and a couple of hours.
That fixed 1/2 of my AM/FM problems. (Rear amp bad)

C.J.

Oldsguy · June 26th, 2009, 09:31 AM

There are people who rebuild these old radios, I think I saw an auction on ebay but not sure. There are some that even modify the radio so you can plug an mp3 into the back and use the radio's audio amp and speakers. If you don't want to go aftermarket products you are pretty limited to getting that thing tuned up/repaired. Maybe someone like these guys.

Yellowstatue · June 27th, 2009, 03:44 AM

There are quite a few people that rebuild radios, just a matter of finding one that is local to you...maybe even check the YELLOW pages..

I don't know if you want to ship your unit to the frozen north, but if you do I will give you a couple of names..

Lady72nRob71 · June 27th, 2009, 06:39 AM

If you have a local trustworthy buddy who is handy with a soldering iron, give him the radio to take a quick look inside for broken / cold solder joints. I have found lots of faults like this in mobile electronics, due to temperature fluxctuations and vibration.
I might not have him dig too deep (depending on his skill), but just do a once over before sending it out.

How many speakers are hooked to it? I have known speakers to get intermittant opens.

redvettemike · June 27th, 2009, 06:54 AM

The radio has two speaker connected to it. The front evidently doesn't work. The back speaker was a "Realistic' (Radio Shack) brand. these speakers are suppose to be 10ohm speakers. There is no telling if this one was 10 or 4. I talked with Greg at S & M Radio (MN) and I am going to pull it and send to him. I have bought some correct speakers from him before and he says they do many rebuilds on these old radios ($130-$160) I will get the correct speakers at the same time. After almost 40 years I am sure this radio could use a freshening up.
I did find out that these Olds stereo radios came with just 2 speakers-not 4 as with a similar Chevy.
Thanks for the advice.
Mike

June 23rd, 2009, 06:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
redvettemike Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 71	Am/Fm Stereo Radio Problems The original radio in my '71 442 works sometimes but most times not. It comes on but then goes off. It likely has never been serviced. Can such a radio be rebuilt? If so, who is the best folks for doing so. the radio sounds great when it does play. i want to keep the original look. thanks, Mike

June 26th, 2009, 09:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
texasred Tom Servo's Stunt Double Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 824	I'd start with just pulling it out and having a go at the connectors with contact cleaner and making sure the plugs fit straight and all terminals make good connection. Cost ya $5 and a couple of hours. That fixed 1/2 of my AM/FM problems. (Rear amp bad) C.J. __________________ Dad said, "Sometimes you read Job...sometimes you ARE Job!"

June 26th, 2009, 09:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,360	There are people who rebuild these old radios, I think I saw an auction on ebay but not sure. There are some that even modify the radio so you can plug an mp3 into the back and use the radio's audio amp and speakers. If you don't want to go aftermarket products you are pretty limited to getting that thing tuned up/repaired. Maybe someone like these guys. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

June 27th, 2009, 03:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
Yellowstatue Certified Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Too close to Toronto!! Posts: 567	Crank it up There are quite a few people that rebuild radios, just a matter of finding one that is local to you...maybe even check the YELLOW pages.. I don't know if you want to ship your unit to the frozen north, but if you do I will give you a couple of names.. __________________ '57 S88 HC et al; '68 442 M20; '68 442 M21; '68 W30; '68 Vista et al; '80 -'84 Regency et al; '96,'98.'99 Aurora..Ignition ON

June 27th, 2009, 06:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
Lady72nRob71 Moderator Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 1,916	If you have a local trustworthy buddy who is handy with a soldering iron, give him the radio to take a quick look inside for broken / cold solder joints. I have found lots of faults like this in mobile electronics, due to temperature fluxctuations and vibration. I might not have him dig too deep (depending on his skill), but just do a once over before sending it out. How many speakers are hooked to it? I have known speakers to get intermittant opens. __________________ -Rob Young 1972 Cutlass Supreme Convertible (442 clone) -"Lady" (My mistress...) http://www.flickr.com/photos/robsalbum/sets/ 1986 Cutlass Supreme Coupe - "Pristine" 1978 Ford (Old Faithful) a.k.a. "the Tramp" 1997 Cadillac STS (for sale - too many cars!) 1999 Harley Davidson Sportster - "the Freedom Machine"

June 27th, 2009, 06:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
redvettemike Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 71	The radio has two speaker connected to it. The front evidently doesn't work. The back speaker was a "Realistic' (Radio Shack) brand. these speakers are suppose to be 10ohm speakers. There is no telling if this one was 10 or 4. I talked with Greg at S & M Radio (MN) and I am going to pull it and send to him. I have bought some correct speakers from him before and he says they do many rebuilds on these old radios ($130-$160) I will get the correct speakers at the same time. After almost 40 years I am sure this radio could use a freshening up. I did find out that these Olds stereo radios came with just 2 speakers-not 4 as with a similar Chevy. Thanks for the advice. Mike

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