89 740gl radio

  • Thread starter Thread starter jmoaner
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J

jmoaner

Just lost the FM on my radio, and AM is on the way out. If I wedge a
screwdriver under the dial knob, FM works for a while. Sounds like
it's time for a new radio. Any tricks I need to be aware of if I
replace it with an aftermarket AM/FM/CD. Thanks for your help.
John
1989 740GL
179,750 miles
 
Just lost the FM on my radio, and AM is on the way out. If I wedge a
screwdriver under the dial knob, FM works for a while. Sounds like
it's time for a new radio. Any tricks I need to be aware of if I
replace it with an aftermarket AM/FM/CD. Thanks for your help.
John
1989 740GL
179,750 miles
Click to expand...
My FM is almost stuffed too - are the radios supposed to be good quality or
is this common? Never had a car radio "wear out" before however junky.
 
Sounds like there has become a need to check on all the electrical
connectors associated with the radio (and amplifier if fitted) and aerial.

Cheers, Peter.
 
Hi Peter-

I've had the radio out and checked it as well as I could. As far as I
can tell, it's an internal issue. Like I said, if I apply pressure to
the tuning knob, the FM sometimes works. May be a grounding problem
inside the radio.
I've searched the newsgroup archives and got some good ideas to check
this weekend.
 
Hi Peter-

I've had the radio out and checked it as well as I could. As far as I
can tell, it's an internal issue. Like I said, if I apply pressure to
the tuning knob, the FM sometimes works. May be a grounding problem
inside the radio.
I've searched the newsgroup archives and got some good ideas to check
this weekend.
 
I disassembled the one from our 960, and while it looks like there was a
clever design to engineering the radio the components weren't the best (tho
you can't tell by looking at them of course, but they did fail)... We lost
FM as well, then tape deck, then the volume knob crackled like crazy and
speakers would cut out... Got the radio from an 850 from a salvage yard and
no problems, 30 bucks.

We've had FM leave us on an aftermarket deck as well... at one point both
our (now sold) 91 Golf and 93 Volvo only had AM radio functionality.
 
I have found contact cleaner in an aerosol can works wonders for
stereo's,particularly withproblems associated with the volume
controls, when they become "scratchy" and cause stastic type noises
when being adjusted.

It's readily available fromplaces like Radio Shack, Home Depot,
electronics parts houses, etc.

Sometimes they have what's called TV Tuner spray, which is the same,
but may also have lubricants to protect it further.

Be sure it says "safe for plastics" on the label somewhere otherwise
it wil stain the outside of your radio knobs/plastic trim plates
around the radio.

Dust gets into the controls, and causes connection problems in volume
controls and switches, this is where the contact cleaner comes in and
saves the day, it's not too far gone.
 
I have found contact cleaner in an aerosol can works wonders for
stereo's,particularly withproblems associated with the volume
controls, when they become "scratchy" and cause stastic type noises
when being adjusted.

It's readily available fromplaces like Radio Shack, Home Depot,
electronics parts houses, etc.

Sometimes they have what's called TV Tuner spray, which is the same,
but may also have lubricants to protect it further.

Be sure it says "safe for plastics" on the label somewhere otherwise
it wil stain the outside of your radio knobs/plastic trim plates
around the radio.
Click to expand...


This doesn't sound like a case of dirty controls, more likely the circuit
board has some cracked solder joints, wedging the knob flexes the board
enough that they make contact.
 
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