Radio Help
 

Hey guys,

So let me start with this - I suck at electronics! With that, I have my factory AM/FM cassette in my truck (1985 Delco 2700). Looks great and WAS working, although it would not work from time to time.

Now onto the latest. The radio stopped working after sitting a week or 2. The light works, and I can turn it on and off, and when I do, I hear the slightest crackle out of the speakers, then no music. Nothing on AM or FM, the tape player doesn’t work now, nor does the fast forward or reverse. Neither the tape light nor stereo light come on when they are supposed to. I pulled the radio and hosed it down with electronics cleaner to no avail. I saw nothing obvious (but with electronics I know that can be subjective).

Would anyone have any suggestions where to start or tests I can do? I’m sure it can be saved, I was just hoping to try to fix it before throwing in the towel and bringing it to a radio shop.

Thanks,

Nick

Re: Radio Help
 

I would predict if you really want to save it, a radio technician is your only shot. There are several components that could be the cause. This is a 34yo electronic device. I wish my laptops would last that long.

Re: Radio Help
 

I would start with checking all wiring and connections, even antenna. Test speakers to eliminate the external items. Then if still has same result, then maybe radio shop. If that is not an option, try finding another one like that one if you are wanting to keep the original style. IMO.

Re: Radio Help
 

Depending on what failed, it could be an easy fix or time for a new radio. A large problem is like many parts on our trucks, the replacement parts for your radio may no longer exist. Further complicating the issue is a lot of factory radios were replaced with aftermarket rigs and the factory radios pitched in the trash and many of the old time electronics stores with the racks of old gear are gone. Even if a sharp tech finds the problem, may turn out to be a near impossible fix due to lack of replacement parts.

What you can try is opening it up and look for obvious loose/broken solder joints. A good magnifying glass or set of close vision goggles is very helpful. Also look for burn marks or bad capacitors(google for visual examples). Keep in mind that even if you get it fixed, the rest of the rig is 34 years old and probably beyond the designed life time. You may find yourself in a repeating loop of fix, work for a bit and a new fail.

There are places that will take your old shell and fill it with new guts and possibly add things like 3.5mm input and the ability to accept a USB flash drive.

Re: Radio Help
 

There was a guy that I contacted a few years back. He takes the radio and get them working again. The bad news is, he no longer is doing this service. It was quite expensive anyways. I chose not to send mine in. My radio was working, i just had no way of checking the cassette tape. But he made them look & work like new again. I opted to put a new radio in, they are retro looking, but have the ability to hook your iPod up to them. Its just an option to consider, if your radio is toast.
https://www.retromanufacturing.com/p...k-series-truck

Re: Radio Help
 

Thanks guys, I didn’t realize it would be this hard!!! I like the original radio, and it just looks right in there (and what else am I going to do with all my cassettes)! I can’t even find anything in the yards. I will try taking it apart and checking it. It will probably end up at a radio shop though. Hope I can find one around here. The last radio I had repaired was done by a 92 year old gentleman in San Francisco. The work was excellent, but he won’t do anything past 1960.

Re: Radio Help
 

They are easy enough to test out of the truck. The top yellow wire is 12 volt positive and the black wire is negative. I use a rechargeable battery from Ryobi to test my radios. The other wires in back of radio are for speakers so just grab a old speaker to test. Test the radio outside of truck and see if it still works. Most of the time it is a bad ground in actual truck or even a bad 12+ wire hooked up to it. The other problem can be the volume dial (Potentiometer) can be dusty and need to be sprayed with a cleaner but not WD-40 or the like. I like this stuff
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/s...hTAC1&usqp=CAY

Re: Radio Help
 

Ebay. Find a replacement.

Re: Radio Help
 

Problem is few of them are tested and the ones that are are fetching good money! I’ll probably just go with a local radio shop - if there are still any around!

Re: Radio Help
 

IIRC The 2700 is electronic tuning. If you don't have experience I wouldn't cut my teeth on that one.

Look for an old school CB, HAM, tube radio repair guy. They'll know how to repair your radio and will have the equipment and knowledge to do it right.
Likely it'll work better than it did when GM put it in the dash in 1985.

It's probably bad electrolytic caps and possibly cracked solder joints in various locations.
If you don't have the equipment and experience I wouldn't start on automobile electronics... The traces and boards are generally thin and if you're not experienced you can easily damage it beyond the ability of a good repair guy to fix in a reasonable time frame. I've seen multilayer boards damaged beyond repair by one mistake.