CutlassLegend

Hey guys, my new toy 1966 f85's original am radio is making a static/buzzing sound when you turn it on. The antenna is all the way up and the speaker is producing sound but only when I turn it on and move the bass/treble ****. Its almost as if it is not getting reception and I have tried in different area of the Town including highways and open land areas. If you guys have any suggestions I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

rroth01

You may want to try to tune it in.Pretty simple actually.If you remove the **** on the right as well as the large ring you will notice a little hole with a screw head inside.Tune the radio to 14 and turn the screw until you get either reception or a much clearer sound.If that doesnt work ,let me know I have 8 AM radios .We will get you through this..

oldcutlass

Is it static that changes with RPM, or is it consistant?? Does the static only appear or change when adjusting the volume?? And last but not least is the antenna wire pushed all the way into the back of the radio?

CutlassLegend

not affected by rpm, seems more affected when adjusting sound and I checked the antenna wire along with the bottom of the antenna and cleaned it off. Hopefully its a simple fix.

rroth01

Try tighteneing up the nut that hold the volume control.
They get loose and move.
Similar to the nut That Holds The Steering Wheel.
We all in this together.
And Remember
"If Women dont find you hadsome,.
They should at least find you Handy"
A Quote from Red Green

CutlassLegend

thanks rroth I will tighten all nuts and connections again. Then extend this 3 foot antenna and try again. I cant wait to drive this baby and listen to a ball game.

rroth01

Try the adjustment..I buy these radio and clean and tune them..Thatreally helps out a lot.I hope your listening to the Tigers..

CutlassLegend

Sorry rroth. Here in CT your either Sox or Yank. I am def a Yank.

oldcutlass

Get some contact cleaner and spray into the opening at the back of the volume and bass/treble control potentiometers. They get dirty over time and build up all kinds of $hit in there. You may have to open the radio up to do this!!

Btw, tightening nuts and screws will not correct this problem!!

66ninetyeightls

I don't know about that. When my wife tightens up on my nuts I hear her more clearly.

rroth01

oldcutlass..I stand corrected..On the tight nut thing.but it worked for me.
And Craig I know what you mean by the wife tightening the nuts.
The Mother of my children changed her name.
Her new middle name is X...As in My X Wife...

curtis mayfield

I'll second and third the remove and clean approach. I have gotten many a non-working radio to work by using Potentiometer Cleaner and Residueless Electronic cleaner. The Variable Capacitor (tuner) can get dirty with dust and lint and you want to make sure to clean that with residueless electronic cleaner.

For the Volume and tone stacked pots use the long red attachment for the end of the spay nozzle and find any hole you can to get the cleaner in and work the pot back and forth.

I would bet if you can turn the radio on and you hear something that you just need to clean everything up.

oldcutlass

Wow and pictures too!!!!


x3 on the wife tightening nuts thing!!!!! Although after 31 years all I hear is blah, blah blah blah, it's almost like the Charlie Brown cartoons!!! Oh and I nod my head alot!!

CutlassLegend

Thanks for all your help guys. I will try cleaning it out. Amen to wife quotes. So true. Also I notice a fuse missing in the box under ant. I am assuming that id for power antenna, mine is manual. Would that fuse have anything to do with it.

joe_padavano

It is common for the power transistor in the amplifier to go bad in these radios. It is easily replaced if you can solder. You can cross the number and buy a replacement at many places.

CutlassLegend

I have had no luck finding where I can buy the power transistor. Any places online that you can refer me to. 1966 Olds F85 Deluxe. AM Radio.

Blaster

Give RF parts a try:
http://www.rfparts.com/transistors.html

oldcutlass

Let me ask 1 more question? When you turn the volume up and down, does the staticc get louder and softer?? If you turn the volume control up and down does it sound like a your sawing through a 2x4? If the answer to those questions is yes then your power transister is good, and you need to clean/ or replace the potentiometer!



Normally if the transistor goes out you get nothing for sound!

Good luck!