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Topic: Stock Radio ?

in Forum: C3 Electrical


Stock Radio ?

Posted: 11/22/05 10:27am Message 1 of 8
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Rockland, MA - USA
Joined: 1/30/2003
Posts: 584
Vette(s): 76, L48, 4spd & 09, LS3, 6spd

My stock AM/FM radio (76) seems to no longer work on FM. The AM band works like it always has, but the FM side is just silent, as if the radio is not even on. I don't even get a click or static sound when switching between the AM/FM bands.

Any ideas?

 




 

 

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Stock Radio ?

Posted: 11/22/05 11:55am Message 2 of 8
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
Sounds like some diodes in the FM part of the tuner may have gone bad. These radios can be rebuilt by some specialty shops or you can replace it altogether with a modern unit. I believe in '76 Chevrolet was still using the two part radios...the tuner mounted in the console and the heat sink unit behind the passenger side of the dash on the firewall.


Stock Radio ?

Posted: 11/22/05 9:12pm Message 3 of 8
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Joined: 12/16/2003
Posts: 630

Try Gordon Ward for repair. He did a great job on mine and was quite reasonable: e-mail glw@mchsi.com or phone (Huntsville, AL) 256-852-0955

Here's another repair guy, interesting web site: http://www.wonderbarman.com/




Stock Radio ?

Posted: 11/22/05 9:39pm Message 4 of 8
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Marion, IA - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 317
Vette(s): 1969 Corvette Stingray Convertible. Just bought it from my uncle who owned it since 1971. Fathom green, green interior. 350/300, T400.

If I ever get around to it, I'll be sending mine to www.antiqueautomobileradio.com

It's pricey, but I want to stay original looking and be able to have 4 speakers and a CD output.

 

Matt




Stock Radio ?

Posted: 11/23/05 3:09am Message 5 of 8
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Greensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188
Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...
Matt, You may be able to take your radio to your local Chevrolet garage (dealership) as well. Mine has a guy that comes round a couple of times a month and picks up the sound equipment for repair. He rebuilds everything to OEM specs and then returns them. Justa thought.


Stock Radio ?

Posted: 11/23/05 8:39am Message 6 of 8
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Canada
Joined: 8/6/2004
Posts: 533
Vette(s): Coupe 74 - 454 Drive it like you stole it!
Had the exact same problem.  I tried a new antenna (just by holding it, not doing the actual replacement) and it was the same. While being there, I cleaned the gound plate.  It didn't improve at all, but the plate was in a serious need of a manicure.
 
I didn't know it was only a heat sink behing the dash pad; I though it was some kind of amplifier.
 
Didn't feel like having it restored, so I dropped a "custom autosound" radio and I added an FM modulator to be able to hook up my mp3 player.
 
I kept my original radio and I might have it restored one day.  Good idea about the local Chevy dealer.  I'll find out from mine.



Stock Radio ?

Posted: 11/23/05 2:01pm Message 7 of 8
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Rockland, MA - USA
Joined: 1/30/2003
Posts: 584
Vette(s): 76, L48, 4spd & 09, LS3, 6spd

Thank you all for your replys and leads. I may just replace with a custom autosound unit for now, but to tell you the truth - I hardly ever have the radio on in the Vette anyway.

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

(the house is smelling pretty good right now - my wife has been cooking and baking all day)

 




 

 

Stock Radio ?

Posted: 11/24/05 9:42am Message 8 of 8
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Pasadena, MD - USA
Joined: 6/16/2004
Posts: 311
Vette(s): 72 Coupe L48 4 sp Air Tilt Leather

The heat sink was for the final transistor power amp. The space required for this assembly made the chassis too big to fit in the console, so it was relocated. It would need to be taken out and sent along with the tuner part for servicing it correctly.

You might try some contact cleaner in the AM/FM switch, that's what failed in mine a while back. It's not easy getting it out, so, be careful of the 30 year old plastic parts etc.....




Bruce
72 Coupe L48 4sp
Custom Blue/Silver/Pearl

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in Forum: C3 Electrical


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